Archive for the ‘Criminal Defense’ Category

It seems at times as if the pace of technology has been at full throttle for the last 40 or so years. Computers, the Internet, mobile phones, global positioning systems (GPS), and digital cameras are just some of the innovations that have drastically affected modern life. Continuous electronic monitoring of individuals on supervised probation or parole combines a few of these inventions to offer an alternative to jail or prison time. Many first-time, non-violent, and misdemeanor offenders are sentenced to house arrest and monitored by an ankle bracelet. There are […]

It’s here. As the words of that iconic song proclaim, “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy.” Time for swimming and no school, sunshine and popsicles, cookouts and a rise in crime. Didn’t see that one coming? Well, it appears that certain criminal activities are more likely to occur in the hot weather. A 2014 report by the Department of Justice looked at data from 1993 to 2010, examining seasonal patterns of household property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft, and household larceny) and types of violence (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, […]

Both the Boy Scouts and The Lion King agree: It’s important to be prepared. With the Fourth of July holiday around the corner, now is a good time to start thinking about safe and legal ways to celebrate America’s freedom from British rule. To that end, June has been designated as National Firework Safety Month. While synonymous with Independence Day, fireworks have grown in popularity and may be used to celebrate all sorts of occasions, from other holidays to weddings to county fairs. The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that […]

Advances in camera technology mean they are everywhere, whether you realize it or not. Your interaction with a police officer may be recorded on her body cam; your shopping activity may be broadcast on a store surveillance cam; and that motorcyclist behind you may be watching your every move through the GoPro on his helmet. Mounted next to or over a road, traffic enforcement cameras have gained in popularity over the last decade to detect violations such as speeding, unauthorized use of a high-occupancy vehicle lane, or failure to pay […]

Credibility is an important attribute to have in life. The quality of being believable or worthy of trust can make a big difference in many situations. Some members of society are assumed to be more trustworthy than others just by virtue of their job. For example, a recent Gallup poll examined a sample of occupations and found that nurses got the highest rating for being honest and having ethical standards. Number five on the list? Police officers. Certainly there is something inherent in wearing a law enforcement uniform and having […]

In the U.S., everyone accused of a crime is supposed to receive equal justice under the law without regard to whether they can pay for it. The Sixth Amendment of the Constitution establishes the right to counsel in federal criminal prosecution, which has been extended by case law to all criminal prosecutions, state or federal, felony or misdemeanor, that carry a sentence of imprisonment. Congress passed the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) in 1964, recognizing the government’s obligation to fulfill the Sixth Amendment by providing for the payment of hourly fees […]

There are some peculiar ways to get arrested in this country of ours. It makes one wonder what could possibly have happened in Oklahoma that caused the legislature to take the time to actually prohibit an activity as unusual as having a donkey sleeping in your bathtub after 7 p.m.! So, what sort of things are (or were) prohibited by law in Kentucky? Read on. A woman cannot remarry the same man more than three times. Why she would want to is not mentioned. It is illegal to fish with […]