If you’ve ever watched a police thriller or true crime show, you probably heard someone being told, “You have the right to remain silent.” These words are part of your Miranda rights, which are legal protections that are backed by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the...
When facing criminal charges, entering into a plea deal can often be a strategic move to reduce the sentence's severity or dismiss some of the charges. However, many defendants wonder: can a judge reject my plea deal? The short answer is yes; a judge can reject a...
The U.S. Constitution guarantees certain fundamental rights, including the right to free speech and protection against certain kinds of discrimination. The answer to the question of whether police can lawfully target someone for speaking Spanish is rooted in...
Recently, we discussed the importance of understanding your constitutional rights -- some of which are covered in the Miranda warning -- and how best to invoke your right to remain silent. As we noted, it’s crucial to tell law enforcement that you’re invoking this...
When police officers serve warrants, they often serve them to the suspects. For example, if the police want to look through someone’s phone, they can get a warrant so that they don’t need the person’s consent. This could force the person to allow investigators to...
The loss of a nursing license can be devastating. It’s not just that the nurse may face fines and other repercussions. It’s not just that they lose the job they have. Without a license, they may not be able to work in their chosen profession for the rest of their...
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees your protection against any kind of unreasonable search and seizure – but how far does this really extend? Most people don’t think that much about what they throw away – but your garbage can contain all kinds of...
A lot of criminal activity results in multiple arrests. Whether it’s illegal drug use, a violent attack or “white collar” crime, like fraud, anywhere from a couple of people to a dozen or more can be arrested and charged with the same offense. In may be that, in...
Miranda rights, a cornerstone of the American legal system, safeguard individuals during police interrogations. When law enforcement officers detain or arrest someone, they generally have to read the person their rights, including the right to remain silent. These...
Advances in science have given investigators and prosecutors a lot of new tools over the years that can be used to put evidence in front of juries – but few things are so compelling to juries as evidence that contains genetic material (DNA). Today, even the smallest...