Resisting arrest, fleeing from the police, and escaping custody are all separate offenses that apply whether or not you committed the offense police originally suspected you of. For this reason, it's important that you obey any order given by a police officer no matter how wrong you think they are. Failing to do so may quickly result in the police tacking on numerous charges. Here's everything you need to know about those charges.
Why Would a Criminal Defense Lawyer Choose To Help a Defendant?
Certain questions always get asked when potential clients call our firm. They typically ask about the likely outcome of the case (they want legal advice) and how much it will all cost. However, in normal day-to-day life, non-potential clients ask different questions once they find out I am a criminal defense lawyer. They ask: How can you represent criminals and what do you do when you know they are guilty? My answers are typically short even though my reasons are important. Rarely are they interested in really hearing my full explanation. Now is a good time to explain. So, bare with me a bit while we examine this issue from a variety of angles. Hopefully by the end I will have answered why I am a defense attorney and why you should care.
How to Spot Teen Dating Violence and Stop It
California Criminal Court Procedure: Fresno County Edition
In a first of a series of articles we address criminal court procedure in California with specific focus on how each county does things. Many people assume that criminal procedure is consistent across all the counties in California and this simply is not the case. While your rights will remain consistent the actual procedures of court vary widely. Let's dig in.
Increasing Awareness About Stalking
While you're probably familiar with the term, there's a lot more you might want to know about stalking. The Stalking Resource Center describes it as "a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear." In honor of National Stalking Awareness Month, here are some facts about this crime.
How will Donald Trump presidency effect federal justice system?
While federal laws do not change on a rapid basis, especially these days with the never ending posturing and ineptness of the branch, executive "policy" can change very quickly. Policy differs from law in that it is set within the administration itself and not by Congress. For example, Congress may outlaw marijuana possession and cultivation but the Executive Branch (President) can refuse to enforce the law.
How well do you know your Miranda rights?
There are many misunderstandings about the Miranda rights: what they are, what they protect against, when they must be stated and when they can be evoked. Experts estimate about 80 percent of suspectsunintentionally waive their Miranda rights. It's often due to a lack of understanding, the stress of the moment or a combination of the two. Make sure you know the facts and how the law protects you.
Restraining Orders: What are they and what do they mean?
A restraining order, also called a protection or protective order, is a legally binding order issued by a judge that restrains a person's actions regarding another person. A domestic violence restraining order typically prohibits a person from contacting, attempting to contact, harassing, threatening or harming another person. Harm can refer to physical, emotional and psychological harm.
What the Law Says About Impaired Driving
Nearly 10,000 people in the United States were killed in alcohol-related driving accidents in 2014. And these deaths accounted for 31 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the U.S. that year. Despite the devastating consequences, drinking and driving continues to be a serious problem.
