Situations That Can Lead to Wrongful Convictions
A wrongful conviction means you may spend years behind bars for a crime you didn’t commit. The justice system is not perfect. According to the Equal Justice Initiative, more innocent people are in our prisons today than ever. Since 1989, the group says there have been 3,175 exonerations, absolving someone from blame through more reliable […]
Is it Legal for Police to Briefly Detain Me?
The police pull you over, and you can’t believe it. Why is this happening? What have you done wrong? In Alabama, police can search your person or vehicle if they reasonably suspect you may be involved in a crime or are about to do something criminal. This is highly subjective based on the officer’s perceptions […]
Understanding The Search Warrant
Unlike other countries, the U.S. Constitution contains specific language protecting all U.S. citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. A law enforcement officer must first obtain a search warrant, signed by a judge or magistrate, before entering your property to look for evidence of a crime. The officer can then search any personal property, homes, papers, […]
What is a Brady Violation?
In a criminal case, the defendant has the right to see all of the evidence used by the other side to prosecute the accused. In some instances, prosecutors fail to turn over that evidence, hurting the defendant’s ability to defend himself in a criminal trial. A Brady Violation describes a violation of the constitutional […]
Your Miranda Rights and the 5th Amendment
More than 233 years ago, the founding fathers thoughtfully crafted the kind of government they thought would work best for the public good. Since then, the U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, codified a foundation for a government that serves the people by protecting […]
Can You Lose Your Second Amendment Rights?
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution reads, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the rights of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Few issues dealing with the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution (the Bill of Rights) are as contentious as the […]
DUI Diversion Program for Drunk Drivers in Alabama
A DUI diversion program is a way for you to stay out of jail in Alabama if you have been convicted of a DUI or driving under the influence. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving is a serious offense in Alabama, where 246 people lost their lives in alcohol-impaired driving […]
Getting a Job After a Criminal Conviction
A criminal conviction in Alabama means the convicted will spend some time behind bars. After the sentence, the individual has theoretically paid his debt to society and ideally makes plans to renew a normal life including becoming gainfully employed. Except that is not the way it happens. In reality, there are a number of invisible […]
Signs That You Might be the Target of a Criminal Investigation
The first clue that you are being investigated might come when law enforcement shows up at your home to ask you some questions. It does not always have to be that overt. You may notice cars parked outside your home, you may receive an odd phone call, you may hear someone was looking into your […]
What is a Protective Order?
Domestic violence is considered a serious offense in Alabama. Violence against your partner is a crime that falls under Alabama’s Protection from Abuse Act. A protective order is issued by the circuit court in your area to provide relief to the victim. All the victim needs to do is go to the local circuit court […]