What Are My Options If I Believe a Police Officer is Targeting Me?
It goes without saying that police officers are supposed to be the good guys. Most people picture loyal civil servants that are not paid especially well but ready to potentially put their life on the line in a dangerous situation to protect and serve others. This rosy picture of the profession is nice and all, but the reality is that police officers are people, and there are going to be ones...Read More
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What is the Penalty for Being Held in Contempt of Court?
What is Contempt of Court? Contempt of court is defiance or disrespect of a judge or court. To control their courtrooms and compel people to obey court orders, judges are given the prerogative to jail people who defy them. Contempt of court charges are not like ordinary criminal charges. The judge who imposes them does not have to prove anything, and you have no right to a trial by jury. The...Read More
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What Is False Imprisonment?
False imprisonment is when a legal entity deliberately restrains another entity’s freedom of movement without any legal authority or justification whatsoever. A prime example of a false imprisonment situation is the “gun to the head” trope; if someone is holding a gun to your head, demanding you to do something or face the consequence of death, they are limiting your freedom...Read More
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How Do Jury Selections Work?
The American judicial system allows everyday citizens to determine the fates of their fellow peers standing on trial for civil or criminal offenses. Individuals chosen for such a responsibility serve on ruling entities known as juries. William Brennan, a Philadelphia criminal lawyer, wants prospective clients and informed parties to realize jury selection is subject to a specific process. Jury...Read More
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What Happens if I’m Accused Of Being An Accomplice To A Crime?
You might believe criminal activities are perpetrated by one or a handful of malfeasance. However, other subjects known as accomplices could also play a significant role in executing such acts. William Brennan, a criminal defense attorney in Doylestown, PA, stresses that a legal concept known as accomplice liability is a major offense that could carry serious penalties. The Definition Of An...Read More
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If the Police Say They Can Drop My Charges if I Cooperate, Can I Trust Them?
When you’re facing an arrest, understandably, you want to have the charges lessened or dropped. This can be used against you, however, and police may use that to cause you to act out of desperation. If they’re trying to make a bargain of some kind, never take their words at face value. Exercise Caution Cops are not legally obligated to tell the truth. The nature of their job incentivizes...Read More
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Can Anyone Be Called as a Witness During My Trial?
As you’re preparing to go to trial there are many unknowns and uncertainties you may be wondering about. One of those things is probably who will be called to testify against you. There are three main categories of witnesses, and understanding what they are and what purpose their testimony serves can give you a better idea of what to expect in court. Lay Witness A lay witness, also often...Read More
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What Qualifies as Child Endangerment?
Watching children can be a hassle. They like to explore and get their hands on everything. Sometimes their adorable precocious nature gets them in trouble, other times they end up seriously injured. When that happens, you can be held accountable for child endangerment. Pennsylvania Statutes Endangering the Welfare of a Child, often called ‘EWOC’ for short, is the name for the criminal...Read More
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How Do Bail Hearings Work?
The concept of ‘bail’ echoes our legal system’s premise that everyone is innocent until proven guilty. That is to say, no punishment can be given until a crime has been proven. The idea is to keep someone out of jail while awaiting their trial, as being confined in a cell for months can be construed as a form of punishment. Preliminary Arraignment Bail hearings are often referred to as...Read More
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How Long Can the Police Detain You Without a Charge?
Probable cause must be established for police to arrest an individual. Detainments, however, only require reasonable suspicions. The difference between being arrested and being detained is that the former means you are being formally charged with something, while the latter means you are being held. It is a temporary measure, usually done so that an investigation can take place. When...Read More
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How to Avoid a Charge For Resisting Arrest
Encounters with law enforcement are rarely pleasant. Even when there are no other charges or accusations are brought against you, it’s still possible to be charged with resisting arrest. This extends to baseless charges; you can still be charged for resisting arrest even when you’ve done nothing wrong. Attitude and Behavior The quickest way to end up with a charge for resisting arrest is...Read More
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How to Avoid Incriminating Yourself
There’s no such thing as a friendly interrogation by the police. If you’ve been accused of a crime or your name has come up in an investigation, you have the responsibility to make sure that you don’t incriminate yourself. Below are a handful of ways to avoid doing so when speaking with the police. Don’t Volunteer Information The best way to avoid incriminating yourself...Read More
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