Fireworks are a Fourth of July staple, but California's laws are stricter than most states. Before you light anything up, find out what's actually legal—and what could land you in jail or cost you thousands in fines.
Updated 06/04/2026
A bench trial is tried to a judge only—there's no jury. Learn how bench trials work in criminal cases and why a defendant might choose to go that route over a jury trial.
Updated 05/29/2026
Probation gives convicted individuals a chance to stay in the community—but one violation can send them back to court, or worse, to jail. Learn what happens when the rules are broken.
Updated 05/25/2026
Learn about Maryland’s laws on possessing, carrying, and using handguns and other dangerous weapons, as well as the procedure under the state's "red flag law" for ordering dangerous individuals to surrender their guns.
Updated 05/22/2026
Learn about Missouri’s limited restrictions on possessing, carrying, and using firearms.
Updated 05/21/2026
Kansas allows most adults to carry guns openly or concealed. Learn about the state’s limited restrictions on possession, carrying, and use of firearms and other weapons.
Updated 05/19/2026
Before launching your drone for commercial purposes or just fun, know the rules. Federal, state, and local laws all regulate where drones can fly—and violations can mean steep fines or criminal charges, even for recreational flyers.
Updated 05/19/2026
Learn about Georgia’s gun laws from constitutional carry to prohibited persons and places.
Updated 05/15/2026
Rape charges carry some of the most serious penalties in criminal law, and the penalties don't end at sentencing. Understand the full scope of these laws and possible defenses.
Updated 05/14/2026
Learn about New Mexico’s gun regulations, including restrictions on the possession, carrying, and use of deadly weapons.
Updated 05/07/2026
Most people assume being drunk might excuse their actions—but courts rarely see it that way. Whether intoxication can be used as a defense depends on how it happened and what crime was charged.
Updated 05/07/2026
A domestic violence charge can mean jail time, a lifelong criminal record, and restrictions on your rights. Find out how states and federal law define these crimes and what consequences you could face
Updated 05/07/2026
Revenge porn—also called nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NDII)—is the posting or sharing of sexually explicit images without the subject's consent. Federal law and nearly every state now criminalize it.
Updated 05/07/2026
The crime of attempted murder can be charged when a person intends to commit murder and tries to carry out the killing but, for whatever reason, is unable to accomplish it.
Updated 05/06/2026
Learn about state laws that allow law enforcement, family members, and sometimes other community members to request court orders to disarm people who pose a risk of gun violence.
Updated 05/06/2026
Most people don't know that human trafficking victims never have to cross a border. A trafficker could be living next door. Learn how human trafficking can go unnoticed, how to report it, and what the penalties are.
Updated 05/05/2026
Grifters, scammers, con artists, and swindlers don't look like criminals, but they're thieves and fraudsters who use a common playbook. Learn to spot grifting tactics and protect yourself.
Updated 05/04/2026
For victims, doxxing is terrifying—but the law now offers real tools to fight back. For defendants, what feels like retaliation can mean felony charges. Here's what both sides need to know.
Updated 05/01/2026
For defendants, a single phishing scheme can trigger multiple felony counts under state or federal law. For victims, the damage can follow you for years. This guide covers what the law says, and what to do next.
Updated 04/30/2026
Oklahoma allows most people to carry firearms openly or concealed without a license. But a few places are off-limits to guns.
Updated 04/29/2026