If you use illegal drugs and become pregnant, there are some things you should know about the possible legal consequences of continuing to use during this time. In many states, pregnant women are increasingly being prosecuted for their substance abuse and addiction. This has become a subject of controversy that may take a long time to resolve.
The Enforcement of Drug Laws Against Pregnant Women
Chemical endangerment laws in several states came about because of people exposing their children to the dangers of home meth labs.
Read More
DUIs negatively affect all aspects of your life, but having a couple of DUIs on your criminal record where any prospective employer can see them is even worse. Since most employers now require a criminal background check for just about any job offered, you could be in a world of hurt trying to secure gainful employment. While some employers might be forgiving enough to give you a chance, the jobs you really want might be out of your reach for the next several years' worth of clean living.
Read More
If you have been charged with battery, assault, manslaughter, or murder, but your actions were to defend yourself or someone else, you will probably be claiming self defense as your defense at trial. Here are 4 things you should know about this type of defense.
1. Self defense may mean more work for you and your attorney.
In a trial, you are presumed innocent until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, so much of the defense would be primarily concerned with poking holes in the prosecution's case.
Read More
If you are likely to be charged with a crime, there are five things you should know about how the process. This is especially true if the crime is a serious one.
1. The prosecutor will use one of two ways to bring charges.
If the charge is not very serious the prosecutor may choose to file an accusatory pleading in a preliminary court hearing but in more serious cases they will use a grand jury to decide whether an indictment (formal written statement of charges) should be brought against you.
Read More
When you are on trial for a crime, you are presumed innocent on the outset. For you to be convicted, a prosecutor must prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. They don't have to prove their case against you 100% but they should come pretty close. Your attorney's job is to create doubt that you did the deed, or that your intention was to commit a crime. There are four ways to accomplish this.
Read More