Criminal Law

Criminal law is the area of law that deals with the identification and prosecution of people being charged by the state or federal government for an act that has been classified as a crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If I Am Arrested?
After you have been arrested, there are certain timeframes and procedures that the prosecution and the court must follow. Usually, the police will advise you of your Miranda rights (the … more
What Are The Miranda Rights?
Also known as the Miranda Rule or the Miranda Warning, when you are arrested in the U.S.A, police officers must warn you that you have the right to remain silent, that any thing you … more
Where Do The Miranda Rights Come From?
The Miranda rights come from the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the 5th Amendment rule against self incrimination. In 1966, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the historic case of … more

Legal Articles

What Is The National Sex Offender Registry?
Information about sex offenders from all 50 states is provided in the National Sex Offender Registry. While different states have different requirements as to exactly what should be included on the National Sex Offender Registry, there are certain pieces of information that are required of all sex offenders. Generally, people who have been convicted of sexually violent behavior and … more
The Preliminary Hearing
It is difficult to be a criminal defendant. If the defendant is ultimately found guilty of the crimes for which he was arrested then few people have compassion for the hardships endured by the defendant while he was standing trial. However, for defendants who are arrested for a crime which they did not commit, a criminal trial can be a real burden. For that reason, there are many … more

Bail Information Sheet (United States District Court)
Defendant's Waiver of Indictment
This form is used by a criminal defendant to waive his or her right to prosecution "by indictment" and to give consent to be prosecuted "by …
Defendant's Waiver of Right to a Preliminary Hearing
A person charged with a criminal offense offense in federal court, or charged with violating the terms of probation or supervised release in … more
Motion to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct a Sentence By a Person in Federal Custody
To use this form, you must be a person who is serving a sentence under a judgment against you in a federal court. You are asking for relief from … more