“Not guilty, Your Honor.” These are the words typically spoken at an arraignment, and yet very few people actually know what an arraignment is. An arraignment, or arraignment hearing, is a very important stage in a criminal case. It is the defendant’s first court appearance where they are formally charged and a plea is Read more…
Open Carry VS. Concealed Carry
Gun laws vary from state to state. However, all states have laws and regulations governing how you can obtain a firearm, where you can possess one, and when you can carry one with you. All states either permit gun owners to carry their weapons with them or not. Open carry and concealed carry laws Read more…
What Is Capital Murder?
When we see the words “capital murder” or “capital felony” in the news, we certainly know that this means that the crime was very serious, but what exactly is capital murder? Capital murder is a charge in criminal law for the killing of another human being for which, if found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Read more…
How Is A Grand Jury Selected?
Though many states do not use them, most people have heard of a grand jury. Perhaps in the context of a news story about a major investigation of criminal activity involving important personalities, you may read about a prosecutor or attorney general mentioning assembling grand jurors. However, the majority of people are unaware of grand Read more…
DWI Vs. DUI: What’s The Difference & Which Is Worse?
When it comes to driving under the influence, there are a few acronyms that people tend to mix up: DWI and DUI. But what’s the difference between the two? And which one is worse? We’re here to clear things up. DWI stands for “Driving While Intoxicated,” while DUI stands for “Driving Under Read more…
No Contest Plea | What Does It Mean & When Is It Used?
After an arrest, a criminal defendant must appear in court and answer the charges filed against them in a criminal complaint. The state charges defendants with violations of criminal laws and requires them to appear in criminal court to enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest, otherwise known as nolo contendere. Although Read more…
Do You Get Paid For Jury Duty?
Serving on a jury is a compulsory civic duty for all Americans, except when you are granted an exemption. Once you receive a summons, you may be concerned about whether you’ll be paid for serving as a prospective juror. Jury service can take several days and, in some cases, may even be just a few Read more…
Can An 18 Year Old Date A 16 Year Old?
It happens all the time. A 16-year old sophomore or junior in high school dates an 18-year old senior in the same school or another school. Maybe they met at the coffee shop where they both work. Two years difference in age is not a big deal as far as interests and compatibility go. However, Read more…
Murder VS. Manslaughter: Key Differences
There are many similarities between murder and manslaughter. They are both felonies. They are both crimes against a person, and they are the two types of homicide. However, despite these similarities, these two crimes have different legal meanings. In short, the difference between murder and manslaughter comes down to the killer’s state of mind. Murder Read more…
Homicide VS. Murder: What’s The Difference?
The words “homicide” and “murder” are often mistakenly used interchangeably in TV shows, movies, and even in the media. However, these two words do not have the same meaning. In fact, the legal definitions of these two terms are quite different. Homicide is the act of one human being killing another and is not necessarily Read more…