Double jeopardy is an important protection to understand. Under the Fifth Amendment, an individual cannot be tried twice for the same crime. This means that if you went to trial and were acquitted, the prosecution can’t try the same case against you again. It...
Month: February 2018
Why it could pay to get a makeover before you go to court
Attractive people get the advantages in life. Statistically, they tend to land better jobs and earn higher salaries. But a recent study shows that attractive defendants also tend to win the sympathy from jurors more often than their unattractive counterparts.Legal...
Understanding reasonable suspicion
If you’re ever detained by the police, it’s worth understanding the concept of reasonable suspicion and what it means to you.What is reasonable suspicion? A police officer may have reasonable suspicion if they believe you are acting suspiciously—in a...
U.S. Senator acquitted of bribery
In 2015, U.S. Senator from New Jersey Robert Menendez was charged with 18 counts of corruption, which included allegations of fraud, conspiracy and bribery. Seven of these counts--all bribery offenses--were connected to Mendenez's relationship with his long-time...