-
Speak to a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you've been charged with a crime, you'll probably want to speak to a lawyer.
-
Browse Nolo's Criminal Lawyer Directory
Browse through lawyer profiles and find an attorney that can help you with your case.
-
Aggravated Battery Laws and Penalties
The crime of battery is the intentional touching of another in an angry manner or the intentional use of force or violence against another. Grabbing someone’s arm, pushing or punching a person or striking a victim with an object are all crimes of battery.
-
Assault with a deadly weapon is a felony offense regardless of the actual injuries caused to the victim.
-
Battery Against a Police Officer
Battery against a police officer involves causing injury to a law enforcement officer (or, in some states, attempting to or threatening to cause injury) . It is treated as a very serious crime. Many states have specific and harsh penalties that apply to battery against a police officer.
-
Burglary: Charges, Penalties, and Sentencing
When most people think of burglary, they think of a thief in a black outfit sneaking into someone's home or a museum in the middle of the night. While such activity definitely counts as burglary, the legal definition applies to a much broader range of activities.
-
Even though the Constitution guarantees the right of free speech, that right is not an absolute one. The law has long recognized specific limitations when it comes to speech, such as prohibitions against slander and libel.
-
Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana
The often tragic consequences and harsh legal penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol are well publicized. What many people don’t realize is that it is also illegal and punishable in all 50 states to drive under the influence of marijuana.
-
Domestic Violence Laws and Penalties
Domestic violence is a violent act committed against a person in a domestic relationship whom the law protects from assault, such as a spouse, a relative, or a dating or sexual partner. Some states also classify threats to commit violent acts against protected persons as domestic violence.
-
Theft and thievery have been around for as long as mankind has believed in the idea of individual property and property rights. Today, states differentiate the various kinds of theft into different categories.
-
Minor in Possession of Alcohol
Minor in possession laws (sometimes called underage drinking laws) target sales of alcohol to minors and public possession of alcohol by minors.
-
Violation Of A Restraining Order
There are several kinds of restraining orders. Violating some will lead to civil liability, while violating others can result in criminal conviction.
-
Where can I get medical marijuana if there are no dispensaries in my California city?
If your city has outlawed medical marijuana dispensaries, but you are otherwise allowed to own and use medical marijuana under California state law, you have two options.
-
Amphetamine Possession Charge: Penalties, Evidence and Defense
Here's an overview on the laws, consequences, and possible defenses for possessing amphetamines.
-
Can a landlord prohibit e-cigarettes in a multi-tenant building?
As with most landlord/tenant matters, state law and local ordinances will govern whether or not a landlord can impose rules on e-cigarettes.
-
A potent stimulant known as cocaine is derived from the leaves of the South American coca plant. Under federal law and the law of all fifty states, possession of any amount of cocaine is a crime. And, crack cocaine (a form of cocaine that is processed even further than powder cocaine to achieve a cheaper version) carries heavier penalties under federal and some state laws.
-
Dismissing (or “Sealing”) a Federal Record for Drug Possession
Federal judges have the inherent power to expunge any record, as explained in Sealing a Federal Adult Criminal Record. But it’s rare that a judge will exercise that power.
-
Driving Under the Influence of Marijuana
The often tragic consequences and harsh legal penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol are well publicized. What many people don’t realize is that it is also illegal and punishable in all 50 states to drive under the influence of marijuana.
-
If dispensaries are illegal in my city, may I still use medical marijuana?
While your city may outlaw the dispensaries themselves, your medical marijuana use is still legal under state law (as long as you abide by the requirements for legal medical marijuana use).
-
Must banks do business with legalized pot growers?
Pot growers who are legal under state law are anxious to use real banks, not piggy banks, to hold their money. But banks are afraid of being prosecuted for handling proceeds from a business that is still illegal under federal law.
-
Can I go to jail for selling fake drugs?
Question: I sold a baggie of aspirins that I said was OxyContin to a guy at a concert. After the show, I heard that there were undercover officers in the crowd. Could I be busted for selling fake drugs?
-
Sale of a Controlled Substance: Drug Sale Laws
Drug dealing is a crime not only in every state, but also one punished at the federal level.
-
Unpaid Speeding and Parking Tickets
Everyone hates tickets. But if you get ticketed for a driving or parking violation, you need to make sure that you take care of it. Failing to pay a ticket can result in unpleasant consequences, such as being arrested, spending time in jail, paying expensive fines, and a getting slapped with a suspended
-
If you injure another person while operating a motor vehicle, in addition to being liable in civil court for the injury and damage you cause, you can be charged with a crime. In some states, the crime is known as vehicular assault. The grounds for a criminal charge of this type vary from state to state, but most commonly arise out of causing injury to another while:
-
The crime of reckless driving occurs whenever someone operates a vehicle in such a way that it poses a risk to others. Unlike some other traffic laws, reckless driving is highly dependent on the circumstances of each individual case.
-
In some states charges of exhibition of speed are classified under the name of "racing on the freeway" or "racing on the highway".
-
Ever since the automobile first made its way onto American roadways, cities and states have limited how fast cars could legally travel. Though speed limits are an ever present limitation whenever you drive, many people are not aware that you can also violate traffic laws by engaging in exhibitions of speed.
-
Driving Without a License: Presenting Proof of a Valid License
A suspended license is one that has been taken away temporarily. In some situations, the suspension period automatically expires and the license becomes valid again; in other situations, drivers must apply to the issuing agency to reinstate their licenses.
-
Driving on a Suspended License in Tennessee
In Tennessee, your driver’s license may be suspended or revoked for many reasons. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you could be charged with a misdemeanor. Jail time, fines and other penalties may result.
-
Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Nevada
Your Nevada driver’s license may be suspended or revoked for many reasons. If you drive while your license is suspended or revoked, you could be charged with a crime and may be fined or even sentenced to jail.
-
Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License in Michigan
Like all states, Michigan may suspend or revoke your driving privileges for many reasons. If you drive with a suspended or revoked license, you may be charged with a crime. In some cases, you may even be charged with a felony.
-
When Does Sexting Count as Non-consensual Pornography?
When the husband of a top aide to Hilary Clinton texted explicit photographs of his genitalia to women across the U.S., no one would have guessed that Anthony Weiner’s "sexts” might affect Clinton’s presidential campaign. The size of the sexts' effect is a matter for historians to grapple with.
-
In the Wyoming, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone younger than 15), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
-
In Wisconsin, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone younger than 15), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
-
What is the Crime of "Child Enticement?"
Child enticement is a crime that involves an adult persuading, or attempting to persuade, a child to accompany him or her for the purposes of sexual activity. The type of situations that can lead to child enticement charges differs from state to state.
-
Sexting is the sharing of nude or sexually suggestive photos by electronic means, such as a text message. The word sexting is a portmanteau word, a combination of the words “sex” and “text.” With the rise in the use of computers and cell phones, sexting has become a phenomenon among both adults and teens.
-
West Virginia Statutory Rape Laws
In West Virginia, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor who is younger than 18, even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
-
What does it mean to "distribute" child pornography?
Distributing pornography doesn't require elaborate plans. Sending a photo through the Internet will suffice.
-
In Virginia, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone younger than 15), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
-
In Vermont, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone 16 or younger), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
-
In Utah, it is illegal for an adult (someone 18 or older) to have sex with a minor (someone 15 or younger), even if the sex is consensual. Those who break the law have committed statutory rape.
-
Wisconsin Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP) Laws
A minor in Wisconsin may not possess or consume alcohol, falsely represent the minor’s age to obtain alcohol, or enter an establishment licensed to sell alcohol.
-
Wyoming Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws & Penalties
A minor in Wyoming may not buy (or attempt to buy), solicit someone else to buy, possess, or consume alcohol; or knowingly provide false information to obtain alcohol.
-
Why do we arrest alcoholics, when we recognize that alcoholism is a disease?
The jaded cop “escorts” the town sot to the drunk tank for the night—is there any more shop-worn cliché in television and film? Public intoxication has been illegal in this country, and around the world, since there have been laws. Of course, the enlightened view is that alcoholism is a disease.
-
West Virginia Minor in Possession of Alcohol Laws
A minor younger than 21 in West Virginia may not buy, possess, consume, or sell alcohol, with few exceptions.
-
Washington Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws & Penalties
A minor in Washington may not buy (or attempt to buy), possess, consume alohol, or be intoxicated in public, with few exceptions.
-
Vermont Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws & Penalties
A minor in Vermont may not possess or consume alcohol; or falsely represent the minor’s age to obtain alcohol. However, a minor older than 16 may possess alcohol during the regular performance of the minor’s job.
-
Virginia Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws & Penalties
A minor in Virginia may not buy (or attempt to buy), possess, or consume alcohol; or provide false identification or a false age to obtain or consume alcohol.
-
Utah Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws and Penalties
A minor in Utah may not buy (or attempt to buy, or ask an adult to buy), possess, or consume alcohol; or knowingly misrepresent a minor’s or someone else’s age to obtain alcohol.
-
Underage DUI/DWI Laws & Penalties
Learn the basics of underage DUI/DWI laws and penalties including information in your state.
-
Tennessee Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws & Penalties
A minor in Tennessee may not buy (or attempt to buy), possess, transport, or consume alcohol; or knowingly provide false information to obtain alcohol.
-
Texas Minor in Possession of Alcohol Laws
A minor in Texas may not buy, possess, or consume alcohol; or knowingly provide false information to obtain alcohol. It is also illegal for adults to purchase alcohol for, sell to, or otherwise provide alcohol to minors.
-
South Carolina Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Laws and Penalties
A minor in South Carolina may not buy (or attempt to buy), possess, or consume alcohol; or knowingly provide false information to obtain alcohol. (South Carolina Code of Laws Ann. Sections 63-19-2440(A) & 61-4-60.)