What Does It Mean to "Plead the 5th"? When Should You Exercise the Right? If you've watched any movie or television show involving a criminal trial, you've likely heard one of the characters—either a witness, defendant, or attorney—"plead the 5th." ... [Read more...]
Criminal Law
Understanding Criminal Negligence
How Does It Differ from Civil Negligence? In the American criminal justice system, a criminal conviction requires the prosecution to show that both a guilty mind (mens rea), and a guilty act (actus reus). In most instances, the frame of mind that ... [Read more...]
Distinguishing Between White-Collar Crimes and Other Crimes
What Is White-Collar Crime? How Does It Differ From “Street Crime”? There are many ways to categorize criminal offenses, but one of the most common is by type—the distinction between “violent/street crimes” and “white-collar crimes.” The most common ... [Read more...]
What Is a Moving Violation?
How Are Moving Violations Defined Under the Law? In every state, there are written laws regulating the operation of motor vehicles. Some of those laws address administrative or equipment issues, such as parking tickets or fines for defective turn ... [Read more...]
Punishment for Juvenile Crimes
How the Criminal Justice System Handles Crimes Involving Juvenile Defendants When dealing with minors who run afoul of the law, the U.S. justice system takes a significantly different approach than with adult offenders. Because of the perception ... [Read more...]
4 Most Common Unsafe Driving Violations
While most drivers are safe and aim to obey the rules, some have some unsafe habits and violate road rules in ways that increase the likelihood of crashing. Let's look at some common driving violations that increase your risk of injury. Speeding or ... [Read more...]
Rethinking Marijuana-Related Crimes
In recent years, the way we have thought about marijuana, its use and its legality, have changed. Medical marijuana is now legal in more than thirty states, and recreational marijuana is legal in ten. Even as advocates for legalization have ... [Read more...]
