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

Wrongful Convictions Resulting from False Confessions
In a substantial number of cases involving wrongful criminal convictions, innocent defendants voluntarily plead guilty, or otherwise confess to the crime with which they are charged. While it seems counterintuitive to the normal person to admit guilt to crime that he or she didn’t commit, innocent defendants sometimes erroneously admit guilt for a number of reasons, including fear … more
How Bad Lawyering Can Result in Wrongful Convictions
While the U.S. Constitution guarantees a defendant the right to representation by an attorney in a criminal case, there is no guarantee that the attorney will be effective, thorough, or even competent. For the majority of defendants charged with serious crimes, coming up with the thousands of dollars necessary to hire a renowned private criminal defense attorney is simply out of … 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