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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

Can a Victim Press Charges? How the Process Works

"Press charges" is a phrase everyone knows, but few people understand. Find out who actually files criminal charges, what evidence it takes, and how much say victims really have in the process

Runaway Teenagers: Laws and Legal Options

If a teen runs away from home, state law determines what happens next. Learn about status offenses, harboring laws, legal options, and getting help.

Revenge Porn: Laws & Penalties

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.

Sex Trafficking Laws and Penalties

Sex trafficking is a felony under federal law and in all 50 states. Learn how the law defines it, what penalties traffickers face, and how child sex trafficking is treated differently.

Is Deepfake Pornography Illegal?

AI technology has made deepfake pornography frighteningly easy to create. Learn how the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act and state laws criminalize deepfake porn and what victims can do.

Can Alexa Be Used Against You in a Criminal Case?

Smart home devices don't just make life easier—they generate logs of your movements, habits, and conversations. Learn how law enforcement accesses that data, and what legal rights you actually have

What Is the Legal Way to Bring a Firearm Into California?

California doesn't let you simply drive across the border with a new gun. Most firearms must go through a licensed dealer first. Learn who's exempt, how to ship legally, and what penalties apply for violations.

Burglary, Illegal Entry, and Criminal Trespass in Oklahoma

Breaking into a home, vehicle, or building in Oklahoma can lead to serious felony charges. Find out how Oklahoma classifies burglary by degree, what criminal trespass means, and how penalties escalate based on the facts of your case.

Illegal Steroids and HGH: Criminal Charges and Penalties

Illegal steroids and HGH aren't just a professional athlete problem. From gym culture to anti-aging clinics, find out what the criminal penalties are for possession, distribution, and doping scheme violations.

Oklahoma Felony Crimes by Class and Sentences

Facing a felony charge in Oklahoma? The state's new sentencing law took effect in 2026. Find out how the 15 felony classes work, what penalties apply, and what happens if you have prior felony convictions.

North Carolina Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for prosecutors to file criminal charges in a case. North Carolina prosecutors can file felony charges at any time, but they must file most misdemeanor charges within two years of the crime.

Michigan Criminal Statute of Limitations

Statutes of limitations set time limits for the government to bring criminal charges in a case. In Michigan, the prosecution has six years to file charges in most cases.

Criminal Laws and Procedures

In Your State

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