When can you use force to defend yourself?

The overwhelming majority of individuals take no pleasure from being involved in physical violence of any kind. Unfortunately, a large number of these people will also find themselves under attack at some point in time. In such a scenario, are you entitled to use...

Understanding unlawful search and seizure 

As a U.S. citizen, you are entitled to freedom from government intrusion – to an extent. There are limits to your privacy and authorities (when justified) have the right to search your property if a crime is suspected.  It’s important to know your rights and the...

5 ways teens get alcohol 

You may remember your teen years when your parents told you not to drink alcohol – and you did it anyhow. Now you have a teen (or two) of your own and you may be worrying if they’re going to follow in your footsteps.  While it’s not legal for teens to drink (without...

Can you use crime of passion as a defense?

You may have heard people discuss crimes of passion. A crime of passion is when someone is so overcome by emotion that they react without thinking and do something illegal. In the most serious cases, it results in death. Can you really claim that it was a crime of...

Murder and manslaughter are not the same

The actors on TV police dramas say words like murder, homicide and manslaughter all the time. You figure those terms all describe one individual taking the life of another, so they must mean the same thing, right? Actually, they do not. Each is unique in key ways....