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Reliable and easy-to-understand legal guidance from experts, plus connections to defense attorneys.

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Your Rights

Learn about your rights—and how to protect them—when dealing with the police and facing criminal charges.

Did You Know?

Police can–and often do–lie to people when questioning them. It’s a tactic they use to get incriminating information out of suspects.

Did You Know?

Police can–and often do–lie to people when questioning them. It’s a tactic they use to get incriminating information out of suspects.

Steps in a Criminal Case

No matter where you are in the process, we’ll break down what you can expect.

Did You Know?

Prosecutors don’t file charges in every case that comes across their desks. One study found that prosecutors rejected or dismissed nearly 30% of cases.

Did You Know?

Prosecutors don’t file charges in every case that comes across their desks. One study found that prosecutors rejected or dismissed nearly 30% of cases.

Criminal Laws and Penalties

From the least serious to the most, we cover the particulars of all kinds of criminal charges.

Did You Know?

Criminal convictions rarely result from jury verdicts. Over 90% come from guilty pleas and plea bargaining.

Did You Know?

Criminal convictions rarely result from jury verdicts. Over 90% come from guilty pleas and plea bargaining.

Working With a Defense Attorney

Get answers to key questions like how to find a lawyer and what to expect from one.

Did You Know?

One study found that defendants were 75% less likely to be convicted if they met with a lawyer within 48 hours of their arrest.

Did You Know?

One study found that defendants were 75% less likely to be convicted if they met with a lawyer within 48 hours of their arrest.

Other Criminal Defense Topics

Find answers to a variety of questions about the criminal justice system.

Recent Articles

Indiana Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for prosecutors to bring criminal charges in a case. If the prosecution charges someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

Connecticut Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for criminal charges to be brought in a case. In Connecticut, some crimes—like murder—have no time limit and can be prosecuted at any time.

Washington Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for criminal charges to be brought in a case. In Washington, some crimes—like a capital felony for murder—have no time limit and can be prosecuted at any time.

Massachusetts Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for the government to bring criminal charges in a case. If the prosecution charges someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

New York Criminal Statute of Limitations

Like all states, New York sets forth a "deadline" for criminal cases. If the state tries to prosecute someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

New Hampshire Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for the state to file charges in a criminal case. If the state files charges after the time limit expires, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

Kansas Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for criminal charges to be brought in a case. Learn more about time limits for filing criminal charges in Kansas.

Illinois Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for criminal charges to be brought in a case. Learn how long prosecutors have to file charges in Illinois.

New Jersey Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set forth the time period within which the state must commence a case for a crime. Learn about the statute of limitation periods for criminal cases in New Jersey.

Idaho Criminal Statute of Limitations

Idaho law sets time limits for bringing charges in a criminal case. Violent crimes generally have longer time limits, and some crimes (like murder and rape) have no statute of limitations—meaning a criminal case can be filed at any time.

Pennsylvania Criminal Statutes of Limitations

Pennsylvania statutes of limitations limit how long prosecutors have to file criminal charges. If the state fails to bring a case within the specified time period, the defendant could get the case dismissed.

Arizona Criminal Statute of Limitations

Arizona law sets time limits—called statutes of limitations—for bringing charges in criminal cases. If the prosecutor doesn't file criminal charges within these time limits, the defendant can have the charges dismissed.

The Circumstantial Evidence Jury Instruction

Circumstantial evidence requires juries to make inferences about guilt. Special jury instructions in many states ensure this evidence must exclude innocence beyond reasonable doubt. Discover how these protections work in criminal trials.

Oklahoma Criminal Statute of Limitations

Learn how Oklahoma's criminal statutes of limitations work, how long prosecutors have to file criminal charges, and what happens if the time limit expires.

Iowa Criminal Statute of Limitations

Like all states, Iowa sets a "deadline" for charging criminal cases. If the state tries to bring an action against someone after the applicable time period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

Maryland Criminal Statute of Limitations

Criminal statutes of limitations provide time limits for prosecutors to file charges in a criminal case. In Maryland, prosecutors can file felony charges at any time and most misdemeanors within one year of the offense.

Alabama Criminal Statute of Limitations

Learn how long Alabama prosecutors have to file criminal charges in felony and misdemeanor cases under the state's statutes of limitations.

Mississippi Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for the state to start a case against someone for a crime. Learn how long Mississippi prosecutors have to file criminal charges in a case.

California Criminal Statutes of Limitations

California has complicated rules setting time limits for the government to bring criminal charges in a case. If the prosecution charges someone after the period has passed, the person charged can have the case dismissed.

Criminal Laws and Procedures

In Your State

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