If an officer stops you and believes that you have been drinking, they will likely ask you to submit to a breathalyzer test. A breathalyzer is a small device that tests someone’s breath, estimating blood alcohol content (BAC). It may appear as though you can simply refuse to take the test, and everything will be fine. Many states , however, have implemented “implied consent” laws that essentially ...
Intent, or doing something willfully, is a big part of any criminal case. The legal, Latin term for intent is "mens rea." When you understand how important intent is in a criminal case, you can develop strong defense strategies. Proving that you did not mean to commit a crime could be the difference between freedom and a long-term prison sentence. In this blog, we will broadly explore the idea of ...
Getting accused of driving while intoxicated can have a tremendous impact on your life. Not only can it affect your freedom, as you could serve jail time and lose driving privileges, but it can also affect your personal life. Due to the stigma around DUI allegations, you could lose friendships or even your job. Breathalyzers and other DUI tests are not always accurate. You could be well within the ...
Kidnapping is a terrifying charge. It evokes images of villains conspiring to take people and torture them for ransom money. Scenarios like that do, of course, exist, but legally, the word “kidnapping” can be applied to many situations. A divorcee could take their kids across state lines to a theme park, only to return and find that they’ve been accused of kidnapping their own children. The term, ...
4 Legitimate Defenses Against Domestic Violence Claims No matter the charge, you always have the right to a criminal defense. In our system, you are convicted only if you’ve been found guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.” There is normally some room for doubt in any case. Even when it’s clear that the defendant committed the act in question, there may have been extenuating circumstances. Just ...