How Does It Differ From Other Types of Homicide? What Are the Potential Penalties? In the vast majority of states, there is no criminal offense identified as "third-degree murder." Only three states—Florida, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota—have laws on ... [Read more...]
What Is an Easement?
How Do You Get an Easement? When Do You Need One? The purchase of real property conveys many rights You have the right to own and possess the property, to be present on the premises. You have the right to make improvements, changes, or ... [Read more...]
What Is Wire Fraud?
What Are the Elements of Wire Fraud? What Are the Potential Defenses to Allegations of Fraud? What Are the Possible Penalties? Fraudsters can come up with some highly creative ways to take your money. They may send you a fake bill that appears to be ... [Read more...]
What Is an Uncontested Divorce?
What Makes a Divorce Uncontested? Is It the Same Thing as a "No-Fault" Divorce? The end of a marriage can be emotionally devastating, even if it's in your best interests and you had plenty of time to prepare for it. Often, when a marriage has been ... [Read more...]
What Is Sedition?
How Is It Defined by Law? How Is It Different From Insurrection or Treason? The right to disagree or engage in dissent is highly cherished in the United States, a vestige of our forefathers' concerns about suppression of free speech and differing ... [Read more...]
What Is a Spendthrift Trust?
How Does It Work? Why Is It Used? A trust can have many purposes. A common one is to keep property out of an estate so that it won't be subject to probate. Another is to protect assets from creditors. A trust can also be an effective tool for the ... [Read more...]
The Constitutional Prohibition Against Double Jeopardy
What Is the Source of the Rule? What Are the Basic Protections It Provides? The United States Constitution provides extensive protections to citizens involved in criminal proceedings. The Bill of Rights, drafted by former British subjects who knew ... [Read more...]
What Is False Imprisonment?
What Must You Prove to Establish False Imprisonment? What Are the Potential Penalties for False Imprisonment? We all value our personal freedom, the ability to move about freely on our own property or on public land. When another person or entity ... [Read more...]
Understanding the Hearsay Rule
What Is the Hearsay Rule? What Is Its Purpose? Are There Exceptions to the Hearsay Rule? If you've watched any courtroom drama, you've likely heard one of the attorneys voice an objection during direct or cross examination, alleging that the ... [Read more...]
What Is Second-Degree Murder?
How Does It Differ From Other Types of Homicide? In all states, homicide crimes include a range of offenses that can be charged. All states label certain types of homicide as murder, and many states identify different degrees of murder, with the ... [Read more...]