Eyewitness testimony has long been a crucial part of criminal investigations and trials. However, its reliability is often overestimated, which can have significant implications for justice. Various factors influence eyewitness accounts' accuracy, making it a subject...
When it comes to criminal defense, the intersection of mental illness and legal proceedings introduces a critical concern—defendant competency. Competency to stand trial is a concept referring to a defendant’s mental state at the time of the trial. To be deemed...
Police officers and investigators will often look anywhere they can to try to find evidence. For instance, they may be interested in finding discarded financial statements if someone has been accused of embezzlement. They may look for drug paraphernalia or even...
Some people who are facing criminal charges struggle with a substance use disorder. This reality can potentially have a significant impact on their defense strategy, as it may allow a defendant to qualify for a deferred prosecution arrangement. Having a substance use...
Those accused of a crime usually know that the state has evidence to support the charges brought against them. Prosecutors generally do not pursue charges unless they think they have a strong chance of winning their case. The case that a prosecutor builds usually...
Only a small percentage of those facing criminal charges attempt to mount a defense via a criminal trial. Those who do are usually quite passionate about proving that they did not violate the law. Unfortunately, criminal trials don't always go the way that a defendant...
Individuals who are accused of criminal activity or facing criminal charges have certain rights. For example, anyone who is under arrest theoretically has the right to remain silent, which has its basis in court precedent. However, many people waive that right and...
The interplay of criminal law and psychiatry is complex. A psychiatric diagnosis can play a significant role in criminal defense, potentially influencing a defendant's competency to stand trial to whether they are held legally responsible for their actions....
Those accused of criminal acts in Texas have the right to present a defense during trial. Some defendants choose to challenge or reinterpret evidence, possibly by showing the police violated their rights during an investigation. Others recognize that the state has a...
When facing a criminal trial, one critical decision defendants must make is whether to testify on their own behalf. This decision carries significant implications as it can directly impact the outcome of their case, so it is absolutely worthwhile to spend some time...