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
If You Are Questioned by the Police:http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum42/HTML/000042.html?reload=0http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum42/HTML/000042.html?reload=0
How Sentencing Works
NOLO Law for All
[This message has been edited by dakeva (edited 29 November 2001).]
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?
If You Are Questioned by the Police:http://www2.bluelight.ru/ubb/Forum42/HTML/000042.html?reload=0http://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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
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?
- 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?
NOLO Law for All
[This message has been edited by dakeva (edited 29 November 2001).]