When another person commits a harmful act toward you or someone you care about, it is human to retaliate. Unfortunately, many forms of retaliation are against the law. In an effort to defend your honor, you could end up with an assault charge. If you've found yourself in this unfortunate predicament, it's good to know what's ahead and what you should do.
Can Wearable Technology Keep You Out of Jail?
Every five minutes in the United States, someone dies in an alcohol-related motor vehicle accident. Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk-driving crash. On average, 2 out of 3 people will be involved in a car crash involving alcohol in their lifetime. Anything that can help reduce these statistics would be welcome.
What Is Conscious Avoidance and How Can It Land You in Jail?
In many criminal cases, especially in federal white collar prosecutions, the defense is "I didn't know what those other people were doing." This defense is in line with a basic principle of our criminal justice system -- that people are only responsible for their own actions. However, there are times when it simply doesn't work.
All About Double Jeopardy in Delayed Death Murder Cases
Murder has long been different from other crimes in that it has no statute of limitations and can be charged even when death occurs long after the criminal act. Another long-standing principle in the law is that the constitutional provision against double jeopardy means that a person can't be tried twice for the same action. What happens when these two principles collide?
What Are the Limits On Protective Sweeps?
When police are in a home due to consent, a warrant, or exigent circumstances, their actions are generally limited to the specific purpose for which they entered, and any searches not directly related to that purpose violate the Fourth Amendment. One exception is a protective sweep, which allows officers to check for additional people or immediately accessible weapons. However, as one federal court recently affirmed, officers may not automatically conduct a protective sweep in all circumstances.
4 Tips About Weapon Charges You need to Know
Weapons offenses generally arise in two circumstances. One is as an add-on charge to a violent crime. The second is when police search a person or their vehicle after making contact for some other reason such as during a routine traffic stop. No matter what the original circumstances were, police arresting someone on a weapons charge must have discovered the weapon through legal means.
What is Solicitation for Prostitution?
Being charged with solicitation of or patronizing prostitution can have long lasting effects. In addition to the criminal consequences, prostitution charges carry a stigma that may result in family problems, losing a job, and a damaged reputation in the community. Although you may want to just go into a shell and cut yourself off from the outside world following a prostitution-related arrest, the better course of action is to start aggressively fighting the charges as soon as possible.
Can a Knock and Announce Violation Ever Lead to Evidence Being Excluded?
Over the years, the use of no-knock warrants has grown exponentially. With a regular warrant, police are required to knock and announce their presence before entering a private building. No-knock warrants allow police to immediately make forcible entry. Because of this, their expanded use has been hotly contested.
All About Bank Robbery and Accessory Offenses
Many people have seen TV and movie glorifications of bank robberies, but bank robbery charges cover far more than a violent stick up followed by a stand off with the police. Nearly any act designed to take money from a bank could result in federal felony charges resulting in decades in prison. This applies to any person that the government believes to have provided assistance in a bank robbery no matter how remotely they were connected to the actual act of robbing a bank. If you or someone you know has been charged with bank robbery, it's important to have a thorough understanding of bank robbery laws and possible defenses.
Should You Ever Plead Guilty If In Fact You Are Not?
n almost any criminal case, the defendant will be faced with a choice -- (1) go to trial and face severe consequences if they lose or (2) plead guilty in exchange for lighter consequences. Depending on the nature of the charges, the difference could be years in prison versus probation or a career-ruining criminal conviction versus the equivalent of a speeding ticket. Throughout the entire case, the prosecutor will be there reminding the defense attorney, and ultimately the defendant, of what's at stake.
