What is negligent homicide?
Negligent homicide occurs when one person causes the death of another without malice, but with a high level of negligence that amounts to criminal negligence. ...
Legal
Felony Murder: Specific Intent to Kill
Felony murder is the intentional taking of the life of another; and if convicted, an offender faces an extremely high punishment range, including the death penalty in some states. As such, any defenda...
What is the knock and announce rule?
The knock and announce rule is a legal rule mandating that police cannot just break down someone's door in order to execute a search warrant. Under the knock and announce rule, police need to knock on...
Credit/Debit Card Theft: Punishments, Penalties and Consequences
The offenses related to stolen credit cards have gradually increased over the last several years thanks to an increase in credit card use over paper checks. When credit cards were first gaining in pop...
Eligibility for Expungement of Adult Criminal Records in Illinois
An adult criminal record in Illinois can be cleared or expunged if the charges were dismissed, you were not found guilty at trial, or you successfully completed probation for certain misdemeanors. The...
Overview of Illinois Criminal Expungements and Record Sealing
If you have been arrested but never been convicted of a criminal offense in Illinois, Illinois allows you to clear or “expunge” your criminal record. Even if you have been convicted of a criminal ...
Marijuana and Illinois Drug Courts
Illinois jurisdictions that have drug courts receive direction and assistance from the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts. Drug courts are relatively new to the American judicial system, having ...
How many marijuana cigarettes (joints) can be made from 1 ounce of marijuana?
In Illinois, because penalties for marijuana possession are more severe after 30 grams (a little more than an ounce), it is useful to know exactly how many marijuana cigarettes equal an ounce. One oun...
Is K2 illegal in Illinois?
The substance popularly known as K2 (JWH-018) and other cannabinoids are legal in Illinois for the remainder of 2010. A new law passed earlier in 2010 makes K2 and other cannabinoids illegal as of Jan...
Kidnapping: Defenses, Penalties, and Aggravating Circumstances
Contrary to popular belief, kidnapping doesn't just happen to children. Kidnapping can happen to adults as well, and even in cases where the alleged kidnapper didn't actually realize he or she was com...
What is contempt of court?
Contempt of court is a display of disrespect or disregard for the authority of a court. Contempt of court can be either civil or criminal in nature, much like the court system itself. Civil contempt i...
Do I Need an Attorney to Seal/Expunge My Criminal Record in Massachusetts?
Using a qualified attorney to help you expunge or clear your criminal record in Massachusetts is usually a better option than going through the procedure by yourself, because of the seriousness and co...
Eligibility for Sealing/Expunging Adult Criminal Records in Massachusetts
Expunging a criminal record in Massachusetts is very difficult because your criminal history records are created when you are arraigned. If you want it to be removed, you need to obtain a court order....
Sealing or Expunging Juvenile Criminal Records in Massachusetts
There are two legal terms often associated with the idea of 'clearing' one's juvenile (aged 7-17) criminal record: expungement and sealing. They are similar concepts, but the differences are important...
Process for Expunging/Setting Aside Juvenile Records in Michigan
For a juvenile who is eligible to expunge their criminal record, an application, fingerprinting, and notice must be filed with the court, District Attorney and Michigan State Police. There will be a c...
Process for Expunging Adult Criminal Records in Michigan
To expunge a criminal record in Michigan, you have to file a motion with the court where you were convicted. There will be hearing on the motion, which will involve presenting your case before the ju...
How would a conviction for marijuana possession affect my auto insurance?
A Michigan marijuana conviction is unlikely to affect your car insurance rates or coverage, unless the conviction involves driving under the influence of marijuana. Car insurance companies usually onl...
Michigan Medical Marijuana Laws
Like many states, Michigan allows the legal use of medical marijuana. Michigan Initiated Law 1 of 2008—known as the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act—made it legal to grow and use marijuana for debil...
What is Michigan’s definition of medical marijuana?
Medical or medicinal marijuana is marijuana that is used for medical purposes. Marijuana is defined, under Michigan law, as any part of the plant Cannabis Sativa L. including seeds and stalks....
Is a juvenile entitled to have Miranda rights read to them before being interrogated?
A juvenile is entitled to have their Miranda rights read to them if they are being held in custody and being interrogated by a law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers are required to state M...
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