The Difference Between Not Guilty and Innocent
In the criminal justice system, the terms “not guilty” and “innocent” are often used interchangeably, but they do not have the same meaning. The difference between the two is crucial to understanding the workings of the criminal justice system, and it is important to know the distinction between the two. Not guilty refers to the […]
War on Drugs and Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Offenders
Drugs have been a contentious issue in America for decades. From the War on Drugs in the 1970s to the opioid epidemic of recent years, drugs have had a major impact on the criminal justice system and the lives of millions of Americans. One aspect of the drug issue that has received significant attention is […]
Can Cell Tower Pinging Evidence Be Helpful to the Defense in a CA Criminal Case?
Cell tower pinging is a technique used in forensic investigations to determine the location of a mobile device at a specific point in time. This technology can be extremely useful to a criminal defendant in California by providing evidence that can be used to establish an alibi or refute the prosecution’s case. When a mobile […]
Synopsis of the U.S. Supreme Court Case: Georgia v. Randolph
The U.S. Supreme Court case of Georgia v. Randolph (2006) dealt with the question of whether or not a police officer can enter a home without a warrant if one resident consents to the search while another resident objects. The case arose after a man named Scott Randolph was arrested and charged with possession of […]
Synopsis of the U.S. Supreme Court Case: Riley v. California
Riley v. California was a United States Supreme Court case decided in 2014, which dealt with the issue of whether the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution allows police to search the contents of a cell phone without a warrant. The case was significant because it established that cell phones are distinct from other […]
Synopsis of the U.S. Supreme Court Case: Escobedo v. Illinois
Escobedo v. Illinois was a United States Supreme Court case that dealt with the issue of whether or not a defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel had been violated during a police interrogation. The case was decided in 1964 and had a significant impact on the way that criminal suspects were treated by the police […]
What is Probable Cause?
Probable cause is a legal standard in the United States that is required in order for law enforcement to conduct a search, make an arrest, or obtain a warrant. In California, the standard of probable cause is set forth in the state’s Constitution and is defined as a reasonable belief that a person has committed […]
Synopsis of the U.S. Supreme Court Case Gideon v. Wainwright
Gideon v. Wainwright is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the right to legal counsel for defendants in criminal trials who cannot afford to hire an attorney. The case was decided in 1963 and has had a significant impact on the criminal justice system in the United States. The case began in 1961 […]
