Criminal Law

A criminal trial can be very difficult to navigate. Usually, a person accused of a crime should hire a criminal defense lawyer to help them with their case. In this comprehensive guide to a criminal defense case learn how a criminal case works from start to finish. Discover more about the different types of criminal charges, what laws govern law enforcement officers, when you should hire a lawyer, and how bail and probation laws work.

The arrival of 3D printing technology has led to some amazing new possibilities for things like replicating broken parts, creating amazing works of 3D art, and manufacturing entire items from patters found online. But, as is usually the case with any new technology, someone finds a way to use it for something sinister. Several creators invented 3D printed plastic guns and made plans available online. But, are these 3D printed plastic guns legal?

The general rule is that arrest records are public records. However, each state can determine whether they wish for such records to be readily available to the public

Generally, one can get out of jail by posting bail. Bail is usually cash or a piece of property pledged to the court as part of a promise that the defendant (the person who has been arrested) will return to court when ordered to do so.

First, a word of warning: doing anything to aggravate a police officer is a really bad idea. Not only are these hard working men and women who likely want to make the world a better place through their work, but they are trained bad asses with guns, handcuffs, and nightsticks and they can really make your life unpleasant.

Expungement refers to the process of sealing arrest and conviction records. Virtually every state has enacted laws that allow people to expunge arrests and convictions from their records, but the details will vary from state to state.

Have you ever wondered why, in a system of justice that relies so heavily upon people telling the truth, every witness is not strapped to a polygraph machine (i.e., a lie detector)? It is a logical question that leads to others about how interrogations and investigations are conducted when polygraphs are used. So, is a polygraph test admissible as evidence?

Police are trained to believe in their authority and trained to perform their interactions with private citizens with confidence and strength.

For example, we have all heard the stories about the burglar who breaks into a home and injures himself then suing the homeowner.

While many believe that if they are not "read their rights" they will escape punishment for criminal acts, it is not quite so clear cut. Instead, if one is not read their rights, then any evidence obtained from the suspect prior to being advised of their Miranda Rights may be inadmissible as evidence at trial.

In simplest terms, an alibi is merely evidence that demonstrates a defendant in a criminal case was somewhere other than the scene of a crime at the time that the crime occurred.

At the most basic level, the fundamental difference between jail and prison is the length of stay for inmates.

All people accused of a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty, either in a trial or as a result of pleading guilty.

Under that kind of stress, it can be very tempting to accept the first plea offer made to you by the prosecutor.

California categorizes crimes differently than they are categorized under federal law. There are also differences in how criminals are processed under California law than under federal law. California generally defines a "crime" or "public offense" as an act that constitutes a violation of a law.

As one of the largest criminal court systems in the United States, the California criminal legal system can be difficult to understand. Individuals who find themselves involved in the California court system need to be educated on the court process and how to seek help. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn everything about the California criminal legal system from white collar law, sentencing guidelines, violent crime law, and more.

Individuals who are charged with a criminal offense in Florida should have a strong understanding of the criminal justice system and the possible defenses that they may be able to raise.

There are a variety of laws in Illinois that impact the rights of individuals charged with crimes in the state. Many of these laws are discussed below. It is important to understand the nature of the charges that you are confronting and the potential penalties if convicted of the crime.

When defendants are charged with the violation of a criminal law in Minnesota, it is important that they understand the nature of the charges against them, the possible penalties and the criminal procedures that may affect them.

If you are charged with a crime in Texas, it is important that you understand your rights and various laws that may impact you. Below, we discuss commonly charged crimes in Texas, the classification of various crimes and potential penalties.