If you are in trouble with the government, there may be some evidence against you. However, if you believe that the evidence is not strong enough, that a witness won’t appear in court or that there are other issues that should result in the case being dismissed, then...
In certain kinds of criminal cases, especially in criminal proceedings related to drug crimes, the police and federal law enforcement agents sometimes have to take creative steps to gather enough evidence for a conviction. Especially when federal agencies look into...
Sadly, it is not uncommon for people to face prison sentences for crimes they did not commit. There are numerous factors that may contribute to a wrongful conviction -- including flawed investigations, mistaken identity and false confessions. False confessions present...
If you have a criminal record, and especially a felony record, it can make it hard to live your life the way that you want to. You may struggle to get a job when the background check is done. You may get turned down for loans. You may find it harder to rent an...
Scott Peterson, who was convicted in 2004 of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son on Christmas Eve in 2002, is not a particularly sympathetic figure. His case was also one of the biggest ones of its time, and the entire trial played out in front of a...
When a federal court convicts you of a crime, it does not mean you need to give up. There is always a possibility of overturning your conviction on appeal. However, doing so is not as straightforward as you might hope. Everyone makes mistakes, including the police,...
The United States Constitution affords individuals specific rights. One of these rights protects people from unreasonable search and seizure by law enforcement officers. The Fourth Amendment sets specific limits that police officers must follow when conducting...
A criminal conviction can change your life in many ways. Depending on the crime you have been accused of, you may face a jail term or a hefty fine. In addition, a conviction can also strip you of certain rights, like the right to vote or own a firearm. However, a...
While the phrase “double jeopardy” does not expressly appear in the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, it’s a well-known -- and critically important -- part of the criminal legal system in the United States. Basically, double jeopardy means that you cannot face...
Getting convicted of a criminal offense can ruin your personal, social and professional life. A criminal conviction can also mean loss of privileges like firearm ownership, driving and voting rights. For more serious felonies, a conviction can mean a long jail term...