Rebecca Pirius is a Legal Editor at Nolo with a focus on criminal law. She has worked in the area of criminal law since 2003, most recently as a senior policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). For 12 years, Rebecca was a legislative analyst and an attorney in the Minnesota House of Representatives, providing nonpartisan legal research and drafting services to the 134 members. Right out of law school, she clerked for a judge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rebecca earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minnesota, where she graduated magna cum laude and served as a law review member. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar.
Nolo. In 2017, Rebecca began freelancing with Nolo and writing articles on criminal law, traffic laws, and impaired driving. She started full time at Nolo in 2019 as a Legal Editor. She writes primarily for CriminalDefenseLawyer.com and Nolo.com.
Prior career. Working at the Minnesota Legislature and NCSL, Rebecca conducted extensive research and analysis of laws and legislation on criminal law, public safety, corrections, and courts. Her roles required her to break down complex legal concepts for a broad audience, including policymakers and constituents, and allowed her to work with both sides of the political aisle. At NCSL, her policy work took her around the country to work with local and state policymakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, former offenders, young adult offenders, crime victims, and criminal justice experts.
Articles by Rebecca Pirius
While getting caught with a fake ID might seems inconsequential, learn how consequential a conviction can be.
Most people don't know they could face federal charges for staying silent about a crime. Misprision of felony has been U.S. law since 1789—and it still applies today, although it's rarely prosecuted.
A shove, a threat, even a menacing look can land a minor in juvenile court on simple assault charges. Find out what the charge means, what punishments are possible, and whether your child's record could follow them into adulthood.
Don't dismiss a reckless driving charge as just another traffic ticket. It’s often a criminal offense that carries severe penalties, including jail time.
Are you worried about your teen's unexcused absences from school? Understand the difference between excused and unexcused absences, the role of truancy officers, and the legal penalties parents face when attendance laws are violated.
Whether it's a gun, a baseball bat, or a vehicle, using an object to threaten harm can lead to charges for assault with a deadly. Explore the legal definitions, potential felony prison sentences, and common defenses for this violent crime.
When a child habitually disobeys parents or teachers, the law calls it "incorrigibility." This status offense can pull a family into the juvenile justice system. Here's what parents need to know about the legal process and consequences.
You don't have to be a criminal suspect to face obstruction charges. Lying to an FBI agent, tipping off a suspect, or destroying evidence can all qualify. Find out where the legal lines are drawn.
Police body-worn cameras are mostly standard for law enforcement in the U.S. But the laws on when they must be on, who can see the footage, and how long it's kept vary widely by state.
Whether you're charged in state or federal court affects your judge, prosecutor, lawyer, and sentence and where you could serve time.
