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

Cybercrime Laws and Penalties
Cybercrimes are rising rapidly across the U.S. Learn what qualifies as a cybercrime, how laws handle digital offenses, what penalties offenders face, and how to report a cybercrime.
Vehicular Assault
Wondering if a serious car accident could become a felony vehicular assault case? This article explains key legal terms, typical penalties, how DUI and hit-and-runs change the stakes, and what to expect if you're charged.
Sexual Battery: Laws and Penalties
Learn how sexual battery is defined, how it differs from sexual assault, which acts may qualify, what penalties judges can impose, and why speaking to an experienced defense attorney early is critical.
Is Sex Tourism Against the Law?
Planning a trip and wondering if paying for sex could get you arrested back home? Learn how U.S. sex tourism and trafficking laws work, what penalties look like, and why legal advice is critical.
Different Types of Objections in Court
Facing a criminal trial or supporting someone who is? This article breaks down the most common objections in simple language and offers practical tips for defendants, witnesses, and courtroom observers.
Can I Be Charged With Sexual Battery for Accidentally Touching Someone?
If you’re accused of inappropriate touching after what you believe was an accident, you may still face criminal charges. This article explains intent, penalties, and practical steps to protect yourself.
Stand-Your-Ground and Self-Defense Laws
From basic self‑defense principles to the Zimmerman case, see how stand‑your‑ground laws work in practice, where they apply, and the limits that still protect against unreasonable or excessive force.
Self-Defense Laws
Understand the basics of self-defense law—what counts as reasonable force, when deadly force is allowed, when someone must retreat and when they can stand their ground.
Can a Defendant Bring Up an Accuser’s Sexual History in a Rape Case?
Rape shield laws are designed to stop unfair attacks on a victim’s sexual past, but there are narrow exceptions. Learn when sexual history might be discussed in court and why judges tightly control this evidence.
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.
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