A drug overdose can be life-threatening unless the person who overdosed receives medical treatment right away. Nevertheless, people who witness the overdose are sometimes reluctant to summon help for fear of arrest on drug charges. According to StatPearls, "Good...
Year: 2022
Can a prosecutor appeal a criminal case?
If you feel a court has not followed the law or legal procedures in convicting you of a crime, appealing your verdict to a higher court could be an option. Should an appeals court agree with your argument, a new trial or a reduction of your sentence may result....
How can proprioception disorder impair your balance?
Police officers use a variety of tests to determine if someone has been operating a vehicle while possessing a high blood alcohol level. One such test is the walk-and-turn test. However, while someone may fail this test because of inebriation, there are drivers who...
Five years later, the impact of the Louisiana criminal reform package
After decades of always taking the top spot in the nation for imprisonment rates, the state has finally seen some significant change. Although ranked second, five years into the bipartisan criminal justice reform signed into law by Governor John Bel Edwards has...
The right to remain silent: What does it mean?
You are probably familiar with phrases such as "the right to remain silent," "pleading the Fifth" and "reading you your rights." When you are under arrest, it is important to understand exactly what these concepts mean. These phrases refer to your Fifth Amendment...
Are drug courts more effective than incarceration?
Many people in Louisiana face drug charges and end up doing jail or prison time. Unfortunately, for those who deal with a serious drug problem or addiction, incarceration only delays dealing with the problem, and many end up right back where they started once their...
Post-conviction relief and the state Post-Conviction Hearing Act
If you have exhausted the appeals process for your case, the next step is to seek post-conviction relief (PCR). However, using this procedure to prove your innocence can be a complex undertaking that requires the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney. Appeals vs. PCR...
3 consequences of untreated mental health issues in state jails
The correlation between mental health issues and criminal acts is one that continues to gain scrutiny from government officials and mental health professionals. According to the National Conference of State Legislators, more than half of inmates in state prisons show...
What should I do if accused of domestic violence?
There are several serious effects you may suffer if somebody accuses you of domestic violence, whether or not the accusation is true. Even in the event that your partner recants the accusation, if he or she goes to the police you may still face charges. Additionally,...
What can you do when a prosecutor overcharges you?
Regardless of any other circumstances, you have the right to a fair trial when criminal suspicion is cast upon you. You should feel as if you can fight on even terms to assert your innocence, but things certainly do not feel fair when the prosecutor attempts to...