Rebecca Pirius

Rebecca Pirius

Attorney · Mitchell Hamline School of Law

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

Is Deepfake Pornography Illegal?
Learn where the law stands when it comes to criminalizing deepfake porn at the federal and state levels and the challenges faced by prosecutors and victims.
Is It Legal to Own Hand Grenades?
In most instances, possession of a hand grenade is illegal. Learn about federal and state penalties, imitation device penalties, and ATF guidance.
Utah Domestic Violence Laws
Learn about Utah’s domestic violence penalties, protective orders, and next steps for anyone involved in a case.
Assault and Aggravated Assault Laws in Utah
In Utah, a person commits the crime of assault by causing, threatening, or attempting to cause injury to another person.
Utah Misdemeanor Crimes by Class and Sentences
Learn how class A, B, and C misdemeanor penalties and sentencing works in Utah.
How Do Police Uncover Prostitution Rings?
Undercover sting operations reveal how police confront the challenges of enforcing prostitution laws ethically and effectively.
Death Row Prisoners: Visitation Rights
Can you visit someone on death row? Learn about prison visitation rules, including who’s eligible, what to expect, and how to prepare for your visit.
What Is the Difference Between Civil and Criminal Court?
Wondering what differentiates civil court from criminal court? Learn who’s involved, how cases work, and what outcomes to expect, with easy real-world examples.
Is Kratom Legal?
Kratom laws are changing across the U.S.—some states ban it, others regulate or allow it. Learn how state and local laws apply to kratom, plus information on staying informed as to the legality and safety of kratom products.
Disobeying a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Agent
Taking out your frustration on a TSA employee could land you a steep civil penalty or, worse, a criminal conviction.
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