• Select Your Topic Then Scroll Down
    Alcohol Bupe Benzos
    Cocaine Heroin Opioids
    RCs Stimulants Misc
    Harm Reduction All Topics Gabapentinoids
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums

Criminal Law (U.S.)

Dakeva

Bluelighter
Joined
Jan 11, 2000
Messages
2,268
FAQ Criminal Law (U.S.)

FAQ Criminal Law (U.S.)
[*]Criminal Law: An Overview
[*]If You Are Questioned by the Police:http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum42/HTML/000042.html?reload=0
[*]Arrests and Interrogations
[*]Bail
[*]Search and Seizure:
[*]Criminal Defense Lawyers and Public Defenders
[*]How Sentencing Works
[*]Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
-------------------------------------
CONTENTS

I. Criminal Law: An Overview

  • Who decides how the criminal justice system works?
  • What's the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?
  • How can I tell from reading a criminal statute whether I'm guilty of the crime it defines?
  • What is the "presumption of innocence?"
  • What does it mean to prove guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt?"
  • If I'm accused of a crime, am I guaranteed a trial by a jury?
  • Can a jury acquit me even if I broke the law?
  • If I do not have any witnesses who will testify on my behalf, can I still win at trial?
  • I am confused about why a defendant would choose to not testify. If I were innocent, why wouldn't I want to take the stand and tell my story?
  • What is self-defense -- and how can a defendant prove it?
  • When can a defendant win an acquittal on grounds of insanity?
  • What happens if a defendant is judged "incompetent to stand trial?"
  • Can a defendant go free because he was drunk or high on drugs when he committed a crime?
II. Dealing with the Police:

If You Are Questioned by the Police:http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum42/HTML/000042.html?reload=0
http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum42/HTML/000042.html?reload=0
  • If an officer wants to stop me while I'm walking on the street and I know I've done nothing wrong, should I comply?
  • If I am legally stopped by a police officer on the street, can he search me?
  • Can a frisk turn into a full-blown search?
  • If I am questioned by a police officer after being stopped on the street, do I have to respond to the questions?
Arrests and Interrogations
  • Can a person who is charged with a crime be forced to give bodily samples?
  • When do the police need a warrant to make an arrest?
  • How do the police obtain an arrest warrant?
  • If the police make an illegal arrest, is the arrested person set free?
  • If I'm arrested, do the police have to "read me my rights?"
  • Will a judge dismiss my case if I was questioned without a Miranda warning?
  • What's the best way to assert my right to remain silent if I am being questioned by the police?
  • How heavy handed can the police get when asking questions?
Bail
  • What does it mean to "post bail?"
  • Who decides how much bail I have to pay?
  • Are there are restrictions on how high my bail can be?
  • What can I do if I can't afford to pay the bail listed on the bail schedule?
  • How soon can I appear before a judge?
  • How do I pay for bail?
  • Is it true that a defendant who proves his reliability can get out of jail on his word alone?
III. Search and Seizure:
  • When is a police investigation considered a search?
  • What is a search warrant?
  • What does it take to get a search warrant?
  • What are the police allowed to do after they obtain a search warrant?
  • Do the police always need a warrant to conduct a search?
  • Can my roommate-or my landlord-give the police permission to search my apartment?
IV.Criminal Defense Lawyers and Public Defenders
  • Should I expect a lawyer to guarantee a good result?
  • How can I get a court to appoint a lawyer for me?
  • Do I need a lawyer at my arraignment?
  • If I'm poor, will a judge appoint a public defender to represent me?
  • My county doesn't have a public defender's office. How will the court provide an attorney for me?
  • Do public defenders provide the same quality of representation as regular lawyers?
  • How can I get a second opinion on my public defender's advice?
  • How can I find a private defense lawyer?
  • What is a private lawyer likely to cost?
  • Can I arrange for a contingency fee in a criminal case?
  • Can I change lawyers if I'm unhappy with the one I hired?
  • What if I'm not happy with my court-appointed lawyer? Can I get a new one?
  • Why do some defendants choose to represent themselves?
  • How can I tell whether I should represent myself or not?
  • How can I find out what my punishment is likely to be?
  • Can I represent myself and pay a lawyer to advise me as I go?
V.Trials, Sentencing, Punishment and Appeals
How Sentencing Works
  • Who determines what punishment a convicted defendant receives?
  • Where can the prescribed punishment for crimes be found?
  • Do people convicted of the same or similar crimes receive similar sentences?
  • What factors do judges use in determining sentences?
Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
  • What is an appeal?
  • What are the chances that my conviction will be reversed?
  • What is a writ?
  • What's the difference between a writ and an appeal?
  • What is a writ of habeas corpus?
Taken from:
NOLO Law for All

[This message has been edited by dakeva (edited 29 November 2001).]
 
Internal Links:
Criminal Law: An Overview
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: Criminal Law and Procedure
Started by Dakeva
If You Are Questioned by the Police:
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: If You Are Questioned by the Police
Started by Dakeva
Arrests and Interrogations
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: Arrests and Interrogations.
Started by Dakeva
Bail
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: Bail
Started by Dakeva
III. Search and Seizure:
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: Searches and Seizures
Started by Dakeva
IV.Criminal Defense Lawyers and Public Defenders
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: Getting a Lawyer
Started by Dakeva
How Sentencing Works
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: How Sentencing Works
Started by Dakeva
Appeals and the Writ of Habeas Corpus
The New Bluelight » Question and Answer » Legal Q & A » FAQ: Appeals
Started by Dakeva
 
Top