Nareissa Smith, Esq.
Nareissa Smith is a lawyer, former law professor, and freelance journalist. Her areas of legal expertise are the U.S. Constitution (particularly the Commerce Clause, the First Amendment, and the Fourteenth Amendment), criminal law, and criminal procedure.
Latest Articles
How To Avoid Auto Dealer Add-Ons Without Consent
You decide to buy a new car. Eventually, you find a great vehicle at a reasonable price. But as you sign the papers at the dealership, you notice a charge for pinstriping. You tell the salesperson that you didn’t ask for and don’t want the stripes. Can the dealership… Read More
Failure To Pay Off Vehicle Trade-In Loans
Your local car dealership’s ad says, “Bring us your trade-in! We’ll pay off your car no matter what you owe!” You head to the showroom and find a car. The salesperson promises to pay off the loan on your trade-in. A while later, your bank calls to ask why… Read More
Avoiding High-Pressure Sales Tactics by Auto Dealers
You head to the dealership in search of your next car. At first, the car salesman seems friendly. But then he starts pressing you to get expensive add-ons. Eventually, you reluctantly agree and sign the paperwork. Later, you wonder if the salesperson’s pushy tactics crossed a line. This… Read More
Proving That You Qualify for an Abortion Exception
State abortion laws often use terms like “woman” and “mother.” When used in this article, they should be understood to apply to all birthing persons regardless of gender identity. Recently, the Supreme Court decided Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Dobbs overturned Roe v. Wade and allowed states… Read More
What Is a “Life of the Mother” Emergency?
Terms like “woman,” “mother,” “life of the mother,” and “maternal mortality” are still commonly used in abortion statutes and medical research. When used in this article, they should be understood to apply to all birthing persons regardless of gender identity. In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Dobbs… Read More
Can You Cross State Lines To Get an Abortion?
A woman learns that she is pregnant. She and her partner decide to end the pregnancy. Then, they discover a new law has made abortion illegal in their state. Can they travel to another state to get an abortion? Here, we discuss some legal issues surrounding out-of-state travel… Read More
States Where Abortion Is Legal
Reproductive rights laws have changed drastically in the past few years. States have passed a flood of new laws on abortion access and related issues. With each new law, what once seemed clear becomes slightly more confusing. We explain when and where abortion is legal in America. However,… Read More
What Is Abortion in Legal Terms?
Abortion is a highly contested issue in the United States. This isn’t shocking—there are many opinions on the subject. It might surprise you to learn that lawmakers have also found it challenging to define the term. We discuss how states define abortion and why it matters. However, laws… Read More
Defenses To Criminal Larceny and Theft
Being charged with larceny is a serious matter. A theft conviction often carries a prison sentence, but a solid legal defense could help you avoid jail time. This article discusses some common defenses to larceny charges. However, in criminal law, the success of any defense depends on the facts… Read More
Voting Rights for Unhoused Citizens: Registering and Casting Your Ballot
In theory, any U.S. citizen over 18 who meets their state’s legal requirements can vote. No state has a law that says unhoused people cannot vote, so the lack of a permanent address should not keep anyone from voting. However, the theory and the reality are quite different. Sadly, many… Read More
