When authorities arrest and take a suspect into custody, they typically set bail according to a pre established schedule. There’s no discretion involved—the agency holding the suspect (oftentimes a sheriff’s department) simply sets bail at the amount designated for the alleged crimes. For an example, see this California Bail Schedule. (For information about bail determination in…
After an arrest, a criminal defendant will appear before a judge to determine whether the defendant should be released on bail or held in jail. This can be done at a bail hearing or combined with an arraignment which is where a formal reading of the charges is made. If the judge decides to allow the defendant…
While other states are relaxing their stance toward marijuana possession, this is not the case in Indiana. Police officers and prosecutors strictly enforce state drug laws to break the cycle of addiction and crime that often accompanies drug use. A drug charge is a serious matter, which is why you should seek out knowledgeable legal…
White-collar crime is nonviolent crime committed for financial gain. According to the FBI, a key agency that investigates these offenses, “these crimes are characterized by deceit, concealment, or violation of trust.” The motivation for these crimes is to obtain or avoid losing money, property, or services, or to secure a personal or business advantage. Examples of…
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human in way that is considered less culpable than murder. Mens rea, or state of mind, is the variable the law uses to distinguish between different levels of severity when the death of another person occurs. In contrast with manslaughter, murder requires malice aforethought or malice, both of which involve…
Stopping illegal guns is difficult, since there are varied sources for illegal guns. I suspect the main source of illegal guns used in most street crimes is theft from homes and businesses. If that’s true, then it may be wise to focus legislation on gun security, rather than gun control. But even more important is to…
When you get to the jail everyone in there will ask you one question, “What are you in for?” Do not talk to them about the facts of your case. The other inmates are charged with criminal offense. If you talk to them, they may inform the prosecutor and become a witness against you. That might…
The crimes of theft, robbery, and burglary are commonly lumped together because most people believe they involve the unlawful taking of someone else’s property. While theft and robbery are very similar crimes that involve the taking or attempted taking of personal property, burglary is slightly different. Let’s take a look at each of these crimes,…
What is drug addiction? Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse…
Juveniles aged 12 to 17 who commit an offence are penalised under juvenile criminal law. The court may also apply juvenile criminal law to adults aged 18 to 22 years. No prosecution of children under 12 Children under the age of 12 cannot be prosecuted. If a child commits a minor offence, for instance theft or…
