False Confessions: Why They Happen
Why on earth, knowing the potential consequences, would someone confess to a crime they haven’t committed? Would it shock you to find out that 27% of homicide defendants who were later exonerated and listed on the National Registry of Exonerations confessed to the murder they were accused of committing? Here are some of the reasons that scientists (and defense attorneys) believe that…
When Your Only Real Offense Is ‘Driving While Black’
In order to pull over a car to look for a drunk or drugged driver, an officer has to have something known as probable cause. In other words, there has to be a valid reason for the authorities to stop your car in the first place. They can’t just randomly stop a car whenever they feel like it (although drunk…
Know Your Rights When You’re Stopped By The Police
One of the biggest problems facing ordinary citizens when they encounter the police is that they don’t quite know their rights — and the police don’t seem to know them, either. Take, for example, the incident involving a Philadelphia attorney who was dragged from her vehicle and charged with obstruction of justice because she declined to participate in a leading conversation with…
Selling Counterfeit Goods Online: How Much Trouble Can It Be?
Once upon a time, you had to look in some pretty shady places if you wanted to buy a fake Rolex or some other high-priced item. Even just a few years ago, you might have to figure out how to get on the “Dark Net” if you wanted to buy some high-quality knock-off goods. Today, you can probably find what you’re…
Volvo Taking Proactive Steps To End Drunk Driving
Here’s a possible future scenario: You go out to dinner and have a couple of mimosas over the course of the meal. You’re sure you’re below the legal limit, and you certainly don’t feel intoxicated — so you see no problem with driving yourself home. Your car, on the other hand, has a different opinion. Shortly after you start the…
Florida Man Faces Hate Crime Charge For Waving Gun, Yelling Slurs
What does it mean to be charged with a hate crime in Florida? What exactly is a hate crime? Many people are still unaware of Florida’s hate crime laws or don’t understand the implications of being involved in a hate crime. While many crimes are the result of rash actions without a lot of forethought, knowing exactly what kind of…
Could Drunk Driving Limits Soon Be Lowered?
If you’re a bit older, you may remember the time when each state had its own blood alcohol limit for drunk driving. You may even remember a time when it was more commonly .10, which is significantly higher than the standard .08 that is used today. Well, get ready, because the landscape is changing once again for drivers and the…
How A Friend’s Overdose Can Lead To Murder Charges
Really good friends share just about everything — including, sometimes, their drugs. These days, however, sharing your pain medication or the pills that you managed to buy from a local dealer with a friend can lead to murder charges if that friend happens to overdose. For a long time, law enforcement agencies tended to consider drug overdose deaths as largely…
The Right To Remain Silent During A DUI Stop
Most people are aware of the Miranda warning. When the police arrest someone, they typically inform them of their Miranda rights, which includes the right to remain silent. In the event the police pull you over on suspicion of DUI, you need to know what you can and cannot say. You need to separate fact from fiction to protect your rights.…