If you are facing criminal charges, you undoubtedly have some worries about the consequences of a potential conviction. While you probably have some options for defending yourself, you may also want to begin thinking about mitigating factors that may encourage a judge...
Year: 2021
Why are your Miranda rights so important?
If you think you have a legal obligation to answer law enforcement officers’ questions any time and anywhere they ask them, think again. Your only legal obligation is to produce identification when officers ask for it. Once you do that, you need not answer any further...
Should you accept a plea bargain?
When you face criminal charges, the prosecutor, in all likelihood, will offer you a plea bargain. Should you accept it? FindLaw explains that a plea bargain consists of an agreement between the prosecutor and you and your lawyer to do certain things in exchange for...
Why eyewitness testimony is often inaccurate
When you face a criminal charge and eyewitnesses say they saw what took place, the judge or jury deciding your case may put considerable stock in what those eyewitnesses have to say. Yet, eyewitness accounts are often fallible and inaccurate. This has led to many...
What impact can a temporary restraining order have?
If you face domestic violence accusations, the other party can ask the court to award a temporary restraining order. If this happens, you could face some serious repercussions. According to the Louisiana Supreme Court, the court has the ability to place various...
How reliable is DNA evidence?
Most people believe DNA is the most concrete type of evidence in a criminal case. Hollywood would have you believe that if the prosecutor has DNA evidence, then there is no fighting the charges because DNA does not lie. This is not entirely true. According to National...
What does the law say about shoplifting penalties?
Shoplifting is a theft crime. You will face the same penalties as you would for any other theft charge. According to the Louisiana State Legislature, penalties for shoplifting will typically focus on the value of the goods. The court figures the value based upon the...
Are juvenile records kept private?
The juvenile justice system is much different from the adult system. The focus of the juvenile system is rehabilitation and helping kids to fix whatever has gone wrong in their lives that led them down a bad path. The law assumes a child can change and move on past...
Are breath tests always accurate?
If law enforcement stops you on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, they may ask you to submit to a breath test to determine your blood alcohol concentration level. Based on the results of such tests, the authorities may arrest and charge you with drunk driving....
DWI penalties – An overview
When facing driving while intoxicated charges, people may have concerns about what a conviction or guilty plea might mean. Even for a first-time offense, the court may impose a range of penalties, some of which may have lasting implications. Understanding the...