Legal dramas are entertaining, but they’re not always legally accurate. Writers and directors play fast and loose with the law to make their shows and movies more interesting. While this isn’t an issue if you’re simply enjoying a show, it can become a problem if you try to apply “TV […]
Our criminal justice system is far from perfect. To address concerns about sentencing and other issues, California has made many changes to its criminal laws over the past five years. Some of these changes help people accused of crimes, while others make things more difficult. This article discusses some of […]
People on probation must comply with a long list of requirements. With so many restrictions, what happens when someone makes a mistake? While every case is different, punishments ranging from reprimands to jail time are possible when probation requirements aren’t followed to the letter. This article addresses common concerns about […]
In nearly every television show or movie involving law enforcement, the officers find a suspect, arrest them, and read them their rights. The suspect confesses. Case closed. Roll credits. But real life is not like television. In the real world, police officers use tactics designed to pressure suspects into confessing. […]
Forensic evidence refers to the use of science to investigate crimes. It can be used to analyze “hard” evidence like hair and fingerprints. It can also be used to investigate or explain “soft” traits such as a person’s psychological profile. Today, most prosecutions rely on forensic science, such as DNA […]