There are few situations more serious than facing criminal charges. A conviction can have serious repercussions in terms of liberty, employment and family life. However, the law also recognizes that those accused of a criminal offense are not automatically guilty. The...
With many crimes, intent itself plays a big role. The actions have to be taken intentionally for them to be illegal. Often, this is how these crimes are defined and intent is something that must be shown by the persecution to get a conviction. The act itself is not...
Eagle-eyed citizens certainly have a role to play in keeping our streets safe. Many a guilty person has been convicted thanks to the testimony of an eyewitness. However, some eyewitnesses are not beneficial to society. They help the police and prosecution secure a...
There is a legal doctrine known as the fruit of the poisonous tree. It has to do with the way that the police gather evidence. If they do so incorrectly, it may mean that some of that evidence cannot be used in court. Generally, this doctrine sees the “poisonous tree“...
Alaska legalized recreational marijuana back in 2015. This made it one of the first states to do so. Many other states have followed suit in the decade since, but Alaska has always been on the forefront of this movement, along with states like Colorado and...
Most people have some idea about their rights if police show up at their door. We’ve discussed them here in the past. They may even know that the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects them from unreasonable searches and seizures. Yet, it isn’t always...
Being charged with a crime can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. Your mind is likely juggling many questions. What should I do? What are my rights? How can I protect myself? The following information can guide your next steps after being charged with a crime...
When police ask to come into your home, you don’t have to give them consent. But if you do not consent, they may go to a judge and get a search warrant. This means that they can enter your home whether you would like them to or not, as they have the legal right to...
If you are arrested and charged with certain offenses, like first-time DUI, the court may release you on bail while awaiting the outcome of your case. However, this is not an acquittal. Bail comes with certain conditions, and one of these involves appearing in court...
Plea deals are popular for one main reason -- they save the court time. Plea deals also save defendants from going through protracted and publicized trials. Whether you should accept a plea deal or not boils down to the circumstances of your case. One thing, however,...
