Articles & FAQs
An Anatomy of a Criminal Trial
Most criminal trials follow a uniform set of procedures.
Arrests and Interrogations FAQ
Bail FAQ
What it means to post bail, how to pay for it, and what to do if you can't.
Bail: Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest
What you need to know about bail -- what it is, how it's set, and how to pay it.
Common Defenses to Criminal Charges
Here are a handful of defenses a defendant can use to get off the hook.
Criminal Law and Procedure: FAQ
Derivative Liability: When People Who Help Other People Commit a Crime Can Be Charged
Anyone who intentionally participates in a crime or helps a criminal before or after the crime may be held responsible for it.
Domestic Violence: Civil Liability FAQ
Information to help you take legal action against your abuser.
Domestic Violence: Taking Action FAQ
Suggestions to help you stop domestic violence.
How a Defendant's Mental State Affects His or Her Responsibility for a Crime
What a defendant intended to do can affect whether a crime has occurred.
How People Get Charged With Crimes
Learn how police officers and prosecutors initiate criminal cases.
How Sentencing Works FAQ
Identity Theft FAQ
If You Are Questioned by the Police: FAQ
If a police officer wants to stop and question you, whether or not you must comply depends on the circumstances and the reasons the officer has for questioning you. This section explores some of the common questions people have about their rights and responsibilities when approached by a law enforcement officer.
Key Aspects of Modern Criminal Procedure: Defendant's Rights
The Bill of Rights promises fair treatment for criminal defendants.
Knowing When An Arrest Is Legal
Learn when the police are permitted to make an arrest -- and how to tell if an arrest has actually taken place.
Landlord Liability for Criminal Acts and Activities FAQ
Lie Detector Tests: Truth and Consequences
Learn how polygraph tests work, as well as what supporters and detractors have to say about them.
Police Questioning After Arrest
What really happens if the police fail to read a suspect his rights.
Police Questioning Prior to Arrest
If you haven't been arrested, but a police officer wants to question you about a crime, what should you do? Here are some tips.
Scientific Evidence: An Introduction
Learn about different types of scientific evidence and how such evidence may be used in court.
Search Warrants: What They Are and When They're Necessary
Learn when police officers must obtain a warrant before they search your home or other property.
Searches and Seizures FAQ
Understanding Search and Seizure Law
Learn when the government can invade your privacy to hunt for evidence of a crime.
What Is Domestic Violence?
Knowing the definition of domestic violence can help you take action against it.
What Makes a Case a Criminal Case?
There are two fundamentally different types of court cases -- criminal and civil. Here's how to tell the difference.
When a Young Person Commits a Crime
When minors are eligible for juvenile court, and what to expect in juvenile court.
Where Our Criminal Procedures Come From
How federal and state constitutions, legislatures and courts protect the rights of criminal defendants.
You Can Run, But You Can't Hide
A recent Supreme Court decision encourages you to stand your ground if you're stopped by police.