Accomplices, Accessories, Aiders, and Abettors
Criminal defendants who think they've been wrongfully convicted of a crime have a number of options: appeals, writs, and habeas corpus.
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Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus FAQ
Criminal defendants who think they've been wrongfully convicted of a crime have a number of options: appeals, writs, and habeas corpus.
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Are drivers for rideshare companies members or independent contractors?
Some of the drivers whom the companies had classified as "independent contractors" have sued or filed claims with state agencies, claiming that they are actually members.
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Assault and Battery as Personal Injury Claims
A lawsuit for assault and battery can provide compensation for intentional injuries.
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Assault, Battery, and Aggravated Assault
The crimes of assault, assault and battery, and aggravated assault carry different definitions and punishments.
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Bail: Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest
Everything you need to know about posting bail or a bail bond.
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Beating a Traffic Ticket for Tailgating
We all hate it when someone rides our bumper. And with good reason. Driving too closely behind another vehicle really is dangerous.
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Can an employer hire only applicants who live in the same neighborhood as the business?
Generally speaking, employers are free to impose any hiring requirements they like, as long as they aren't discriminatory.
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Can my employer prohibit me from keeping a gun in my car at work?
As for telling your employer, in some states employers can require members to give notice that they carry guns in their vehicles.
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Consideration of Dismissed Charges at Sentencing
Despite judges’ wide latitude at sentencing, some states have set limits on considering dismissed charges.
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Constitutional Rights in Juvenile Cases
A look at the constitutional due process rights of youth in juvenile court cases.
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Correction To Fight Your Ticket & Win In Calif caught In An Illegal Radar Speed Trap Flowchart
In Fight Your Ticket & Win in California, there are several omissions in the “Were You Caught in an Illegal Radar Speed Trap?” flowchart. In the 16th edition, page 33 is affected
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Criminal Arrests and Interrogations FAQ
Learn about your rights during police interrogations and arrests.
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Criminal Charges: How Cases Get Started
Learn how police officers and prosecutors initiate criminal cases.
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Criminal Defendants Rights During Trial: The Bill of Rights
Learn about the constitutional rights that protect criminal defendants.
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Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQ
Here's what you need to know about criminal defense attorneys: whether you need one, how to get one, and how much you'll have to pay.
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Criminal Procedure FAQ
The basics of criminal law: presumption of innocence, felonies, misdemeanors, and jury trials.
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Criminal Trial Procedures: An Overview
Most criminal trials follow a uniform set of procedures. Here's astep by step guide to the criminal trial process.
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Dealing With a DUI or DWI Charge
Learn about arraignment, plea bargaining, and your options for dealing with your DUI or DWI charge.
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Defendants Incentives for Accepting Plea Bargains
Common reasons why defendants enter into plea bargains.
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Defenses to Criminal Charges
Here are some of the common defenses that criminal defendants can raise to defend against criminal charges.
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Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication
Learn about the crimes of disorderly conduct, public intoxication, and disturbing the peace, and the possible punishment that goes with them.
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DNA Evidence in Criminal Cases
DNA testing is now common in criminal trials and in proving innocence in wrongful convictions.
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Does California Law Prohibit Using a GPS While Driving?
California’s restriction on using a wireless device doesn’t apply to “manufacturer-installed systems that are embedded in the vehicle.”
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Does Self-Representation in a Criminal Case Ever Make Sense?
Criminal defendants might represent themselves in a few situations.
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Driver License Suspensions
Find out how your driver license can be suspended, and what you can do to prevent it.
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Drunk Driving, DUI, and DWI FAQ
Charged with drunk driving, driving under the influence, or driving while intoxicated, DUI, or DWI? Here's where to start.
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DUI and DWI Overview
What it means to be charged with DUI (driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol) or DWI (driving while intoxicated).
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DUI or DWI Punishments and Penalties
Many DUI and DWI offenders face stiffer penalties than mere fines.
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Expungement of Criminal Records: The Basics
You may be able to seal arrest or conviction records. Here's how.
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Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions: Classifying Crimes
How crimes are classified, from felonies, misdemeantors, and infractions.
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Fight Your Speeding Ticket: Determining Your Speed
Speeding tickets are, by far, the most common moving violation.
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Fight Your Speeding Ticket: What Is the Law?
There may be only one way to speed, but there are many ways to detect your speed.
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Fighting a Red Light Camera Traffic Ticket
In most of the states that allow photo enforcement of red lights, the law states that the driver, not the vehicle’s owner, is liable for the ticket
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Fighting a Ticket for Running a Red Light
The legal elements of this offense are basically the same as for driving through a stop sign, with one big exception
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Fighting a Ticket for Running a Stop Sign
Most statutes say you must stop at the nearest of the limit line, crosswalk, or entrance to the intersection
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Fighting a Traffic Ticket for Improper Turning
There are many ways to be ticketed for making improper turns. One of the most common is making an improper U-turn. Here we provide information on defending against a wide array of these violations.
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Fingerprint Evidence in Criminal Cases
Learn how fingerprint evidence is gathered and used in criminal investigations and trials.
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Homicide: Murder and Manslaughter
The crimes of murder and manslaughter explained, with real-world examples.
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How Defendants Mental States Affect Their Responsibility for a Crime
Criminal intent also called "mens rea" is an element of some, but not all, crimes.
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Is it ever wise to just stay in jail and wait for trial?
The police have a strong case against me and I’m probably going to do some jail time anyway. Why bother trying to get out on bail or OR?
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Juvenile Court Sentencing Options
Typical punishment and penalties for juvenile delinquents and youth offenders.
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Juvenile Court: An Overview
The basics of juvenile court when a youth or minor commits a crime.
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Juvenile Delinquency: What Happens in a Juvenile Case?
Here's how the juvenile justice system usually treats a youth offender case.
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Juvenile Law: Status Offenses
Some acts are considered criminal only when minors commit them; these are called juvenile status offenses.
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Learning the Identity of a Confidential Informant
You know the story. The mob boss falls because someone from his organization gave information to the police. You might wonder: Does he have a right to find out the confidential informant’s identity?
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Lie Detector and Polygraph Tests: Are They Reliable?
Learn how polygraph and lie detector tests work and whether they are accurate.
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Miranda Rights: What Happens If Police Dont Read Your Rights
Many people believe that if they are arrested and not "read their rights," they can escape punishment. Not true. But if the police fail to read a suspect his or her Miranda rights, the prosecutor can't use anything the suspect says as evidence against the suspect at trial.
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Negotiating Before Arraignment and Pleading Guilty at the Arraignment
Defendants who believe the case against them is very weak often ask whether it's possible to negotiate a dismissal before the arraignment
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Preservation of Evidence in Criminal Cases
The government has a duty to preserve certain types of evidence it collects during criminal investigations and prosecutions
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Rape and Statutory Rape
Rape is nonconsensual sexual intercourse; it's often committed through force, threats, or fear.
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Sealing Juvenile Court Records
Former juvenile offenders may be able to get a fresh start of sorts by filing a petition in court seeking expungement (sealing) of a juvenile court conviction.
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Search and Seizure FAQ
Your right to privacy when the police come knocking, pull you over, or stop you on the street.
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Search Warrants: What They Are and When Theyre Necessary
Learn when police officers must obtain a warrant before they search your home or other property.
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Sentencing Alternatives: Prison, Probation, Fines, and Community Service
Prison sentences and alternatives to prison for defendants convicted of crimes.
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Sex Offender Databases: Getting Your Name Off If Your Acts Are Now Legal
If you are listed on a sex offender database because of an act that is now legal, here's how to get your name off.
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Speeding Tickets: How to Defend Yourself
If you are ticketed for speeding, your defense will depend on the nature of the speed limit.
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Theft and Shoplifting Crimes
The crimes of theft and shoplifting defined, plus case examples.
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Traffic Ticket? Decide Whether to Fight in Traffic Court or Pay Up
Evaluate your chances of fighting a traffic ticket before you go to traffic court.
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Traffic Tickets for Driving Too Slowly
There are several circumstances in which drivers may be ticketed for illegally blocking or impeding traffic by driving too slowly or failing to yield to a long line of vehicles behind them. Let's look briefly at the most common.
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Traffic Tickets for Improper Passing
Unsafe passing is dealt with in several common ways in most states. Here are the contexts in which unsafe passing is made illegal.
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Traffic Tickets for Right-of-Way Violations
The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right of way to any vehicle that has entered the intersection from a different highway.
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Underage Drinking and Minor-in-Possession Laws
Underage drinking laws and other criminal statutes punish minors who are illegally in possession of alcohol (these are sometimes called "minor-in-possession" or MIP laws).
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Understanding Search and Seizure Law
Learn when the government can invade your privacy to hunt for evidence of a crime.
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Unsafe Lane Changes
Police will readily and properly pounce on a driver who weaves in and out of traffic without signaling, especially if that driver cuts off another car, forcing it to abruptly brake
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What is an Alibi?
An alibi can be an effective defense to a criminal charge, but how do alibis work?
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What Is Entrapment?
Entrapment happens when police officers coerce or induce someone into committing a crime. Learn more.
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When Juveniles Are Tried in Adult Criminal Court
Some cases involving youth offenders are serious enough to be transferred to adult criminal court.
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