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We have all heard the acronym BAC, but do we really understand what this means and how it affects our daily life? BAC stands for blood alcohol content. Most of us only know BAC in terms of driving under the influence. The legal limit for driving is a BAC of 0.08%. BAC is a way… Read More

When defendants enter a negotiated plea, judges make sure they understand the trial rights they are giving up. By Sara J. Berman Once the deal is worked out, the prosecution and defense will arrange a court hearing and inform the judge about the agreement. Assuming the judge accepts the deal or suggests changes that are… Read More

Many cases are dismissed before a plea or trial. Learn about the common reasons why. by Lauren Baldwin, Contributing Author Not every defendant who faces criminal charges will proceed to trial or a plea. Many cases end up being dismissed, by the prosecutor or the court. The first task for a defense attorney in a… Read More

When good or services appear to originate from a legitimate source but are in fact unauthorized reproductions, the crime of counterfeiting has likely been committed. The offense can include not only creating fraudulent documents and goods, but also altering legitimate items. Because trafficking counterfeit goods is an interstate and international business, it is a crime… Read More

  Once a criminal trial has begun but before it goes to the jury, it’s possible for a defendant to obtain a not-guilty verdict from the judge. by Lauren Baldwin, Contributing Author Civil law suits and criminal cases can conclude before a judge or jury hears the case or reaches a verdict. The parties can… Read More

Learn what you should and should not do when you’ve been pulled over by a police officer. by Ave Mince-Didier Nobody likes to get pulled over, but if a police officer does stop you, you need to know how to talk to the officer. The main thing to remember is that a police officer approaching… Read More

Assault is a crime of violence, and is defined differently from one state to another. Some states define assault as the intentional use of force or violence against another, such as punching a person or striking the victim with an object. In other states, assault need not involve actual physical contact, and is defined as… Read More

By Janet Gilger-VanderZanden California does not specifically protect the right to bear arms in its state constitution, the way many other states do. And while the right to bear arms is nonetheless protected by the federal constitution, this does not mean that everyone may carry a gun, or that you may always carry a gun wherever you… Read More

by Ave Mince-Didier Alcohol-monitoring ankle bracelets (also called SCRAM bracelets for “Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring”) provide a way for courts to oversee people who have been ordered to not drink alcohol. Made famous by celebrities convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), SCRAM bracelets are increasingly ordered by courts for people in all sorts of court cases… Read More

by Mark Theoharis It’s common knowledge that the legal drinking age in the United States is 21 and that all states make it illegal to sell alcohol to anyone who is underage. However, state prohibitions against underage drinking extend further than merely the sale of alcohol. All states also make it a crime to supply… Read More