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Police officers cannot force their way onto private property without justification. To conduct a search, they typically need to obtain a warrant. Without a warrant, police officers must either secure permission from people or have probable cause. They must be able to...
In a threatening situation, there are typically three human responses: fight, flight or freeze. Most people don’t expect to find themselves in a situation where they need to make that choice. If you are a person who fights back when confronted with violence, the...
People facing stressful situations sometimes turn to social media for comfort. They want to connect with their communities and get advice from others. Criminal prosecution is easily one of the most stressful experiences a person might ever endure. Especially in cases...
Accusations involving a restraining order violation can lead to significant confusion and stress. The stakes are high and may affect your freedom, employment and future opportunities. Having clear knowledge about your immediate circumstances can help you respond to...
A police encounter in a public location may lead to a bodily search. So-called "stop-and-frisk" encounters often occur when police officers do not have reason to arrest an individual. They may be the result of racial profiling or a person simply being in the wrong...
A grand jury is often used in potential criminal cases, and the goal is to review evidence and decide if there is probable cause for the case to go to trial. They will then make their recommendation about the next steps. If there is not probable cause, then the...
When evidence is suppressed, it cannot be used against you at trial. This usually follows a motion to suppress by the defense, alleging legal or procedural flaws in how the evidence was obtained or handled by law enforcement. When a judge grants the motion, the...
Vehicles are, in some ways, like second homes. People often have charging cables for their phones, snack foods and even spare clothing in their vehicles. They likely do not want total strangers going through their vehicles. Mobile phones are even more personal. People...
A police officer who stops a driver for the suspicion of drunk driving has various tools that they can use to determine if the driver is actually impaired. One of these is the preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) device, which is a handheld breath test device. The PAS...
People taken into state custody are usually aware of their Miranda rights. Even if they are not, police officers must inform them of their right to remain silent and their right to legal representation before questioning them. People who invoke their right to remain...