Jury Nullification
The United States Constitution guarantees a trial by jury to all persons accused of a crime. That jury is comprised of average citizens from all ...
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Mandatory Sentences and Theories
State and federal criminal statutes that include mandatory sentences require judges to impose identical sentences on all persons convicted of the same offense. Mandatory sentences ...
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Appealing a Sentence
Imagine you were charged with a serious felony by your state prosecutor. You went to trial and, despite your attorney’s best efforts, twelve people didn’t ...
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Writ of Habeas Corpus
In many countries, authorities may take citizens and incarcerate them for months or years without charging them. Those imprisoned have no legal means by which ...
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The Law of Civil Forfeiture
Civil asset forfeiture laws allow the police to take and keep large sums of cash or property suspected of either being used to commit crimes ...
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Types of Evidence
Evidence comes in four basic forms:1) Demonstrative evidence; 2) Documentary evidence; 3) Real evidence and 4) Testimonial evidence. Some rules of evidence apply to all ...
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Terrorism
Terrorism has been a grave concern throughout the United States and around the world. Whether perpetrated by foreign nationals with a vendetta against the U.S. ...
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Appealing a Criminal Conviction Explained
The right to a trial by jury is the most fundamental constitutional right a criminal defendant is granted. Upon a conviction after a trial, a ...
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Defending Yourself
In order to convict you of a criminal charge, the prosecutor must prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a pretty lofty standard, ...
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Crime and Punishment
After a criminal defendant is convicted or pleads guilty, a judge will decide on the appropriate punishment during the sentencing phase of a criminal case. ...
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