Missouri officials admitted that the state’s parole revocation procedures were unconstitutional two years ago and claimed that it corrected them. But these procedures still violate constitutional and civil rights, according to a recent court decision. A federal...
When do you have the ‘right to remain silent’?
We have all seen movies and television shows where a person is read their Miranda rights when being arrested, starting with the phrase, “You have the right to remain silent.” However, it is important to understand what these rights are and what they mean if you are...
When do you obtain the right to an attorney?
Everyone has seen legal dramas on T.V., and they almost all understand that the police inform those who are arrested of their right to an attorney. That's true in real life, too. Anyone who is being accused of a crime has the right to an attorney being present during...
Can you refuse a police search?
You were traveling to see a friend when you saw the familiar glow of flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. You pulled over for the officer, but you were going the speed limit and didn't have any idea why they'd want to stop you.When the officer reached...
How does constructive possession impact people driving vehicles?
Anyone who has ever gotten in trouble for having something they shouldn't have knows that denial is often the simplest way to avoid responsibility. If your parents walked into the house and demanded to know who ate the last cookie, so long as you and your siblings all...
What are your Miranda Rights by law?
Many people are confused about their Miranda rights and what they are. Miranda rights were granted in 1966 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that people taken into custody must be read their Fifth Amendment rights prior to being questioned. These were awarded during...
Can the body really turn food into alcohol?
Recognizing that the legal repercussions of driving while under the influence of alcohol can be quite severe, many people who are convicted often come up with creative excuses for why their blood alcohol content was too high to be behind the wheel. Recently, one...
Do police always have to read your Miranda rights?
Most citizens learn that the police must read you your Miranda rights (“You have the right to remain silent…”) when you’re arrested. We learn that if this doesn’t happen, we get to go free. This scenario is possible, but don’t rely...
Right to an attorney heads to state Supreme Court
Missouri – which has one of the worst records for funding public defenders in the country – will see its public defender system on trial in front of the state Supreme Court.At issue is decades of underfunding by state lawmakers which causes public...
What if the police don’t read your rights?
On TV, when the police arrest someone, the officer will start off by saying, "You are under arrest, you have the right to remain silent..." Most of us know that a police officer reading someone their rights is important, but what happens if they don't? What...
