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Reliable and easy-to-understand legal guidance from experts, plus connections to defense attorneys.

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Your Rights

Learn about your rights—and how to protect them—when dealing with the police and facing criminal charges.

Did You Know?

Police can–and often do–lie to people when questioning them. It’s a tactic they use to get incriminating information out of suspects.

Did You Know?

Police can–and often do–lie to people when questioning them. It’s a tactic they use to get incriminating information out of suspects.

Steps in a Criminal Case

No matter where you are in the process, we’ll break down what you can expect.

Did You Know?

Prosecutors don’t file charges in every case that comes across their desks. One study found that prosecutors rejected or dismissed nearly 30% of cases.

Did You Know?

Prosecutors don’t file charges in every case that comes across their desks. One study found that prosecutors rejected or dismissed nearly 30% of cases.

Criminal Laws and Penalties

From the least serious to the most, we cover the particulars of all kinds of criminal charges.

Did You Know?

Criminal convictions rarely result from jury verdicts. Over 90% come from guilty pleas and plea bargaining.

Did You Know?

Criminal convictions rarely result from jury verdicts. Over 90% come from guilty pleas and plea bargaining.

Working With a Defense Attorney

Get answers to key questions like how to find a lawyer and what to expect from one.

Did You Know?

One study found that defendants were 75% less likely to be convicted if they met with a lawyer within 48 hours of their arrest.

Did You Know?

One study found that defendants were 75% less likely to be convicted if they met with a lawyer within 48 hours of their arrest.

Other Criminal Defense Topics

Find answers to a variety of questions about the criminal justice system.

Recent Articles

What Is an Arraignment?

Learn what happens at an arraignment, how quickly you'll get before a judge, and what to expect at this first court appearance.

Differences Between Theft, Burglary, and Robbery

While often confused and referenced interchangeably, theft, robbery, and burglary share some similarities but are very different crimes. Learn how they differ in terms of acts and penalties.

Preliminary Hearing: What to Expect in Court

If you've been charged with a felony, a preliminary hearing is your first major chance to challenge the prosecutor's case. Learn how probable cause works, when hearings occur, and why waiving this right is rarely a good idea.

Domestic Violence Trials: When the Victim Refuses to Testify

Wondering if you have to testify in a domestic violence case? While you can refuse, prosecutors might still subpoena you or use other evidence. Here's what you need to know about the legal consequences and your rights as a victim.

Understanding Victim Restitution: Paying Back Victims of Crime

Whether you are a victim seeking to recover out-of-pocket losses or a defendant facing court-ordered payments, understanding restitution is crucial. Discover how judges calculate damages, enforce collections, and prioritize victim payouts.

Kidnapping Laws: Definition and Penalties

Kidnapping laws make it a serious felony to take, confine, or move someone against their will, often with a further criminal purpose in mind. Discover how states and federal law define kidnapping, its degrees, and the possible sentences.

What Is the Crime of False Imprisonment?

False imprisonment charges can stem from anything from a heated domestic dispute to a misunderstanding at a store. Explore the elements of unlawful restraint, common defenses, and the harsh penalties a conviction carries.

What Is Criminal Mischief? Definitions and Penalties

Criminal mischief occurs when someone intentionally or recklessly damages another person's property without consent. While often associated with minor vandalism, the financial cost of the damage can easily turn this charge into a felony.

Voter Fraud and Election Fraud: Laws and Penalties

During election season, accusations of fraud run rampant. But what actually constitutes voter fraud versus election fraud in the eyes of the law? Find out how state and federal statutes define and penalize these serious offenses.

Shoplifting Laws and Penalties

Shoplifting offenses are fairly common, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be taken seriously. Felony charges may apply to more expensive shoplifted items or when a shoplifter has prior theft convictions.

Kansas Gun Laws and Weapons Charges

Kansas allows most adults to carry guns openly or concealed. Learn about the state’s limited restrictions on possession, carrying, and use of firearms and other weapons.

What Is an Alibi Defense?

Claiming an alibi means asserting you were somewhere else during a crime. But how do you prove it in court? From eyewitness testimony to cell phone tracking, understand the evidence required to build a strong alibi defense.

Weapons Charges in Maryland

Learn about Maryland’s laws on possessing, carrying, and using handguns and other dangerous weapons, as well as the procedure under the state's "red flag law" for ordering dangerous individuals to surrender their guns.

How Do Drug Courts and Other Treatment Courts Work?

Treatment courts focus on recovery rather than punishment, offering an alternative to jail for eligible offenders. We explain how drug, DUI, mental health, and veterans courts work, who qualifies, and the intense commitment required.

Presidential Pardon Powers and Limits

The Constitution gives the president broad power to pardon federal offenses, but state crimes are strictly off limits. Explore how the pardon process works, the controversy of preemptive pardons, and the limits of executive clemency.

Juvenile Curfew Laws

Curious about how juvenile curfew laws could affect your family? This article clarifies who sets these rules, common exceptions, what penalties look like, and practical tips for keeping your teen—and yourself—on the right side of the law.

What Is Factual Innocence?

From DNA tests to strong alibis, there are ways to prove you never committed a crime. Explore factual innocence, wrongful‑conviction remedies, record‑sealing options, and identity‑theft fixes in plain, practical language.

Criminal Laws and Procedures

In Your State

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