The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects individuals from self-incrimination. It's a fundamental right that helps ensure a person cannot be compelled to testify against themselves in a criminal case. This protection extends to various legal...
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Criminal Defense
Can the police search your phone after an arrest?
When you are arrested, the police may want to search your phone to gather evidence. Do officers have the right to do this? Here is what to know about this matter: The police need a warrant to search your phone A police officer may not search your phone or any other...
Types of behavior that law enforcement could find suspicious
Law enforcement officers are tasked with keeping neighborhoods safe. To do this, they are assigned various legal powers. For instance, they may conduct traffic stops, and search individuals and their properties. Nonetheless, they cannot do this randomly. Generally, to...
What’s the role of mitigation in a defense?
In any criminal case, the ideal resolution is either a total dismissal of the charges or acquittal at trial. There are times, however, when that outcome simply isn’t possible. At that point, the defense often looks to mitigate the resulting sentence. A mitigating...
When facing criminal charges, stay off of social media
Facing criminal charges can be a life-altering experience, colored by the kind of anxiety and uncertainty that can keep you up at night. If you are facing criminal charges, your instinct – especially in the middle of the night – might be to turn to social media for...
Is a police officer obligated to be honest?
If you go to court, they may ask you to swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If you get arrested by a police officer, that officer may advise you that anything you say or do can be used against you in a court of law. Your words are incredibly...
Can officers search through your trash?
When the police want to conduct a search and gather evidence, they need to be aware of where the public has an expectation of privacy. For instance, if they want to search someone’s home or car, they may need to either get a warrant or get that person’s consent. There...
Why a motion for severance may be needed to get a fair trial
If you’re arrested for allegedly committing a crime with one or more other people, you may be looking at being tried along with those other defendants in a joint trial – and that could increase your chances of conviction. That’s why it’s important to understand the...
How drowsy driving can get you in serious trouble
Driving while drowsy can seem harmless but can lead to serious trouble, especially in Texas. It is critical to understand what drowsy driving is, how it happens and what the consequences are if you take the risk of driving while under this state of impairment, so we...
Criminal offenses and immigration status
Criminal charges can lead to severe consequences for anyone. However, this may be worse for non-citizens, as they may face deportation. Thus, it's crucial for immigrants to be informed about how criminal offenses can affect their immigration status. Here is what you...