The incarceration rate is high in the United States, especially in Louisiana. Spending time in jail or prison can be damaging for incarcerated people. However, over-incarceration can also have negative effects on families and communities. Residents of Louisiana should...
Criminal Defense
The most common police errors in criminal cases
Police officers have a difficult job that requires handling many vital details. The stress and workload can create multiple opportunities for mistakes. Such errors may compromise the state's case against a defendant. The following oversights could even lead to a...
How do Miranda rights really work?
Most people have at least heard of their Miranda rights before. It is especially notable in shows featuring police, as they often discuss a person's "right to remain silent" when apprehending them. But how do Miranda rights function in real life? How do they differ...
Does Louisiana have a Good Samaritan law?
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...
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....
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...
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 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...