If you’ve been accused of a crime and know you’re innocent, you might be tempted to agree to a lie detector test, also known as a polygraph. A law enforcement officer may ask you to take the test. You may wish to prove your innocence by submitting to one, but it is...
People who are being interrogated by police officers have very specific rights if they’re in police custody. These rights include not having to speak to the officers and being able to consult with an attorney. The police officer has to read you your Miranda rights to...
Being accused of committing any crime can be devastating. With your reputation, freedom, career or even life on the line, it is perfectly normal to be worried about how things will turn out for you. However, it is important to understand that your words and actions...
When you are arrested for a crime, the prosecution’s job is to prove you are guilty. Even though this is the case, you may be retained and kept in custody during your trial process. There’s no question that being arrested and kept in jail can be a stressful and...
If you are stopped by the police and end up being arrested, you may already know that you should keep your conversation to a minimum. You don’t want to say or do something that could imply that you were involved in a crime or be perceived as an admission of guilt....
Police officers and investigators may spend months gathering evidence before they charge you with a crime. The goal is to have enough evidence to convince a jury to convict you, which means they need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you broke the law. If you...
If the police knock on your door, it is essential to understand your rights. While they might be calling for an innocent reason, there is a good chance they are not. Police typically knock on doors when they want something from you. Be that information or evidence....
Like many other states in this country, California developed a “tough-on-crime” policy back in the 1990s. Like many other states, California has found that its draconian criminal justice system led to more problems – including overcrowded prisons filled with people...
You legally own a handgun. You mostly use it for target practice. It’s a fun pastime with your friends, and you like seeing your accuracy get better. But you also own that gun because you want to make sure you and your family are safe. The criminals have guns, after...
You can generally sort drunk driving offenses into two basic categories. The first category includes victimless crimes that involve technical infractions. An officer sees someone swerving and pulls them over, eventually arresting them because of their poor driving...
