What if I can’t afford an attorney to represent me on a battery charge? According to the U.S. Constitution, you have the right to an attorney when faced with a battery charge. If you can’t afford an attorney, you must be provided with one. Before you agree to any plea bargain, you should understand the details of your right to an attorney, how to waive those rights, and some of the consequences for waiving your right to an attorney when faced with a battery charge. → Read More
Church of Scientology Sued for Fraudulent Use of Donations A new lawsuit filed against the Church of Scientology, along with other recent bad publicity, may send the controversial religion into a state of decline. → Read More
If I am stopped or detained by the police, do I have to talk to them or let them search me? Other than supplying a lawful name, address and date of birth, a minor does not have to say anything further to the police. This is however, a sensitive matter and if a juvenile has not done anything wrong and is merely being asked a simple question by a police officer, not reacting may insinuate guilt of something. → Read More
Can a girlfriend or boyfriend give consent to search your house? Generally, no, a girlfriend or boyfriend does not have the legal authority to allow someone to search your personal belongings. The test would be whether the person giving the consent to the police has an equal right to use the premises. Whether or not someone has an equal right may be inferred from the circumstances. → Read More
How private are my conversations? Some states have laws that differ from the federal approach. For example, in the State of California it is a crime to secretly record a conversation (unless all parties to the conversation consent to its recording). Law enforcement officers are entitled to record conversations under both federal and state law when certain conditions are met. → Read More
Man Receives 2-Year Sentence for Perjury During Jury Selection A potential juror in Massachusetts has received a two-year prison sentence for misleading the trial judge about his relationship with the parties to the crime. → Read More
What is public intoxication? Public intoxication charges are not limited to individuals under the influence of alcohol. Being under the influence of drugs, including over-the-counter medication or prescription medication, can also lead to a charge of public intoxication. However, unlike other alcohol and drug-related crimes, such as driving under the influence, specific levels of intoxication are not needed to convict for the crime of public intoxication: an individual can be charged with public intoxication when he is or appears to be visibly intoxicated, no matter the level of drugs or alcohol in his system. → Read More
State Felony Trials Felonies are more serious than misdemeanors and consist of serious crimes such as murder, espionage, treason, rape, racketeering, fraud, battery or aggravated assault, and some cases of drug possession, among others → Read More
International Crimes International crimes can be categorized as either criminal offenses against the world community, or transnational criminal acts — such as drug trafficking, trans-border organized criminal activity, counterfeiting, money laundering, financial crimes, and w → Read More
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