Many shows, books, and movies depict the legal system, but because writers need to be concerned with conciseness and ratings, they often fall back on common misconceptions. Unfortunately, when myths spread enough, the public starts to accept them as accurate, but no matter how much people believe these ideas, it doesn’t change how the criminal […]
Can a Sex Offender Move to Another State?
Just about everyone has a basic understanding that most sex crime convictions result in mandatory registration on the sex offender registry. What you may not know is that while every state has a sex offender registry under Megan’s Law, each one has a different set of laws detailing the rights and responsibilities of those on […]
Not All Religious Confession Is Protected by the Law
Even if you’re not Catholic, you probably already know that a confession made to Catholic priests is protected both by the church and the government. But that doesn’t mean that anyone of any religion can tell their clergy leader about past crimes and expect those same spiritual and legal protections. If you need to get […]
Can You be Arrested for a Confession Made at AA?
The Alcoholics Anonymous (and similar Narcotics Anonymous —NA) recovery process requires you to be open and honest about your past and to admit wrongs you made while under the influence. But is a confession made at Alcoholics Anonymous legally protected like those made to priests? The answer is complicated. Here’s what a defense attorney believes […]
Surprising Things Police Can Do Without A Warrant
The Constitution may protect you from unreasonable search and seizure, but many people have no idea how complex search warrant laws are. For example, the police cannot search your cell phone without a warrant, but they can search your car without a warrant if they have “reasonable suspicion.” In fact, they can do many things […]
Fighting Charges If You Were Forced to Commit a Crime
Many consider themselves to be reasonable people who would never break the law aside from maybe driving a little too fast on the freeway. But if someone coerces them to do a criminal act by threatening their life or the lives of their family members, they may be willing to do just about anything […]
Is Spitting on Someone a Crime in California?
Spitting in someone’s face is one of the greatest insults you can make without saying a word. It also can quickly escalate a verbal argument into a physical one and cause someone to get seriously ill, which is why spitting on or at someone is a crime. Similarly, if a restaurant worker or anyone else […]
Refusing to Speak to the Police is Not Obstruction of Justice
If you watch police dramas, you’ve almost certainly seen one of the cop characters threaten someone by telling them that if they don’t cooperate with an investigation, they’ll be charged with obstruction of justice. But refusing to talk to the police isn’t just your right, it’s also your best course of action when being questioned […]
What Happens to Your Dog When You Get Arrested in Vista?
Close to half of all American households have a dog, and many of those dog owners are single, so what happens to a person’s dog when they go to jail or are arrested? As it turns out, that question can be rather complex and depends on where you live, where you were arrested, and more. […]
Can a Diary be Used as Evidence? Are Diaries Admissible in Court?
Diaries and journals can be written for many reasons, but one thing most of these writers have in common is the expectation that their private thoughts and observations will be kept confidential. Unfortunately, the US legal system doesn’t hold diaries as a protected source of speech that can’t be used against their writer later on. […]
