Most Americans who speak English could more or less recite the Miranda Warning from memory because they've heard it so many times. It often features prominently in entertainment involving police officers or crime. You probably know that you have the right to remain...
Defendants who have been charged with a violent crime often rely on their right to protect themselves as a legal defense. The terms “Castle Doctrine” and “Stand Your Ground” laws are often tossed around in these kinds of cases. Both refer to the laws in various...
When one person takes another person’s life, they may be charged with a crime. Exactly what they are charged with differs from case to case, though, and can have a drastic impact on the potential sentence and on their legal defense options. One type of homicide that...
Most people think about burglaries and robberies in the same way. You imagine someone breaking into a house or car. You might think about large items getting stolen or people getting hurt. The reality is that these two terms do not mean the same thing. There are...
How often have you watched the news and heard about the police arresting multiple individuals for the same crimes for what seems like days on end? It's no coincidence. It happens because law enforcement agencies track crime data and conduct dragnet operations or...
In any case that has to go to trial with a jury, it’s important to make sure that the jury itself isn’t biased in a way that could hurt the defendant. Juries are meant to be neutral. Initially, jury selections are neutral. In your state and county, your local court...
Every so often, you’ll hear a story on the news about a major criminal trial that ends in a conviction -- only to end up with a whole new trial because of juror misconduct. What exactly does that mean? Frankly, it can vary from trial to trial, but there are some...
It can be difficult for anyone to gain employment in these turbulent economic times. But it's particularly challenging for someone with a criminal record to do so. Your past criminal history follows you unless you receive a pardon or an expungement of your records....
Any kind of theft allegation could result in serious criminal charges, but property crimes that also involve violence are among the most serious. Robbery is already one of the more frightening forms of theft, as it typically involves face-to-face interaction between...
The Bill of Rights is a collection of 10 important amendments to the United States Constitution. Each amendment outlines crucial civil rights or protections for individuals in the United States. Most people are familiar with the First and Second Amendments, but...
