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An overview of DUI (driving under the influence) offense classifications and possible consequences.
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Assault with a deadly weapon is a felony offense regardless of the actual injuries caused to the victim.
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Trolled Online: What You Can Do When You’re Bullied on Social Media
Read more on the laws and legal options available if you've been trolled or bullied online.
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Is It Legal to Own and Fly a Drone?
It is legal for a private person in the U.S. to own and fly a drone, with certain limitations.
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Your Rights When Dealing With the Police
Should you speak with the police officer? Should you let the officer search your home or car? And what happens if you don’t?
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There’s more to an arrest than taking a suspect into custody. Arrests trigger legal (and emotional) after-effects that include detailed and specific police responsibilities
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What is the Witness Protection Program?
Acting as a witness in a case can sometimes be a dangerous activity, especially when there are people who don’t want you to talk. Witness protection programs exist to ensure witness safety, and to protect them from those who would harm then for the testimony they would give. These programs exist at both the federal and the state level, though the federal program is the most well known.
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Working a Job When Under House Arrest
House arrest involves being sentenced to time at home, under close surveillance, rather than serving a typical jail sentence for non-violent offenders. Home imprisonment is used most often in areas where prisons are already overcrowded, or are underfunded.
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When Can the Police Search My Car?
The constitution says that you have a right to be free from unreasonable searches of your home, your person, and your car. Car searches rarely involve a search warrant issued...
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What to Do and Not Do When Arrested
If you are arrested, the best thing that you can do for yourself is to keep quiet until you are represented by a lawyer.
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What can I do when the police tow my car?
Vehicles may be towed for many reasons. If the car or driver is not validly licensed, or is being arrested, the police may tow the car for safekeeping, or to conduct a more thorough search. Abandoned vehicles...
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What Happens if I Lie to Police about a Friend's Crime?
If you lied to the police about a crime your friend committed you could face significant consequences. As a general rule, you aren’t under any obligation to speak with the police. However, if you choose to talk to investigators, it’s never a good idea to lie. If you lie to the police about a friend’s crime you can be charged with one or more crimes of your own.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a component of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), primarily responsible for enforcing federal immigration and customs laws. Its powers include investigating, apprehending, arresting, detaining, and removing aliens within the United States. This
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Warrant While Incarcerated: Multiple Warrants
There are times when an individual may have one or more arrest warrants on record, even while they are already in a correctional facility for another crime. This is known as an Incacerated Warrant.
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What’s the difference between an arraignment and a trial?
Can you explain the difference between an arraignment and a trial?
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What is the difference between civil and criminal court?
There are several important differences between civil and criminal court. In general, civil courts are designed to resolve differences when private individuals or businesses can no longer reach an agreement on their own. Criminal courts are designed to determine whether a person has violated a criminal
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What is the suspended imposition of a sentence?
If you are convicted at trial or plead guilty to a crime for which the judge can sentence you to jail or prison, the judge can suspend all or part of the sentence and place you on probation (supervised or unsupervised). A suspended sentence can be an excellent alternative to serving a lengthy jail or prison sentence.
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What is the bench trial process?
In a criminal proceeding in state court, a defendant may face a jury trial or a bench trial. A jury trial is a trial before a jury of 6 or 12 people who, after hearing the evidence and legal arguments, decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charges against him.
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What is a Criminal Infraction?
A siren goes off behind you. That light was yellow, you are certain. The officer who comes to the window disagrees. She takes your license and registration, goes back to the squad car for an excruciating ten minutes, and returns with a citation. This is an imposition and an expensive lesson, especially if an insurance rate hike is included.
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You’ve heard the term used on “CSI” or “Law and Order” but what does it mean? It’s not just decorative legalese to impress the uninitiated. It is an early and essential part of every legal action, and has particular significance in criminal cases. What is a Prima Facie Case? The term translates
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What Are Felonies, Misdemeanors, and Infractions?
Crimes are classified according to the seriousness of the offense, and penalties are set accordingly.
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What Are Extenuating Circumstances?
A crime may be charged as a lesser offense, or a sentence may be light, if extenuating circumstances (or mitigating factors) convince the prosecutor or judge to cut the defendant a break.
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I'm the Victim of a Crime. Can I Force the Prosecutor to Press Charges?
Generally speaking, a victim cannot force an unwilling prosecutor to file charges or seek an indictment from a grand jury. The prosecutor, exercising "prosecutorial discretion," has the final say.
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In the U.S. legal system, a person may be punished for a crime only if she has been convicted of a crime, that is, found criminally liable. This article discusses what constitutes criminal liability. For a discussion of civil liability, see our article on Civil Liability.
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A person who suffers damage or injury from the bad acts and even accidents of others can seek financial remedies in civil court. This article discusses civil liability.
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What is vehicular manslaughter?
The crime of vehicular manslaughter involves unintentionally causing another person’s death by driving illegally, recklessly or carelessly. The specific acts that constitute vehicular manslaughter vary from state to state, but criminal charges following a fatal car accident can be based on evidence
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What is the law on possession of crystal meth?
As with any illegal drug or controlled substance, possession of “crystal meth” (methamphetamine) is a less serious crime than illegal manufacture or distribution of the drug. Still, even a misdemeanor charge for this crime can carry a penalty of up to a year in jail. In some states, possession of
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What is the law on criminal harassment and cyberbullying?
Most states have criminal laws against harassment, stalking, and cyberbullying. The terms harassment and stalking are usually used interchangeably. Cyberbullying, which is harassment done with an electronic device, is a form of harassment that some states are defining and criminalizing in separate, individual