Legal Basics Articles

• Miranda Rights: The Who, What, Where, When and Why
  “You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law….” And, so begins many police dramas … More
• What Comes Next After the Arrest?
  Have you been arrested for a crime or are you a suspect in a crime?  The criminal justice process varies from state to state, and the federal criminal justice … More
• Double Jeopardy
  The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, in part, that, “…nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in … More
• Infraction, Misdemeanor or Felony: What is the Difference?
  Criminal charges and wrongs are typically classified as infractions, misdemeanors or felonies depending on the severity of the wrong.  The more serious … More
• When is a Search Warrant Necessary?
  The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects Americans from unreasonable searches by the government.  That means that absent an emergency … More
• The Pros and Cons of Plea Bargaining
  When faced with criminal charges, a defendant often has one simple goal.  That is, to minimize the potential penalty.  Of course, being found innocent at … More
• Miranda Rights: The Who, What, Where, When and Why
  “You have the right to remain silent.  Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law….” And, so begins many police dramas … More
• Can the Cops Search My Car?
  There are many situations when a law officer can legally stop the driver of a motor vehicle. Many cars are stopped for speeding every day, for … More
• The Preliminary Hearing
  It is difficult to be a criminal defendant. If the defendant is ultimately found guilty of the crimes for which he was arrested then few people have compassion … More
• What To Do If You're Arrested
  It can be difficult to think clearly after an arrest. Many arrestees are scared about the social stigmas, personal consequences, financial consequences, legal … More