For years, individuals have studied why certain children commit crimes and not others. Recently, extensive scientific reports from various associations have submitted data that can better justify the contributing factors. Though each juvenile offense is the consequence of a complexity of causes—some of which date back to years before the crime was committed—it’s often the…
An ancient Roman maxim is “ignorantia juris non excusat,” which loosely translates to “ignorance of the law does not excuse.” In other words, it’s presumed that the public knows the law, and therefore a defense of ignorance typically isn’t allowed. This idea has been emphasized throughout history. Thomas Jefferson once said, “Ignorance of the law…
Confessions have long been considered the gold standard for evidence in criminal cases. After all, why would an innocent victim confess to something they haven’t done, especially if that means facing penalties? But in fact, false confessions are fairly common. Data from the National Registry of Exonerations indicates that over the past 60 years, more…
A subpoena—sometimes referred to as a court summons—is a legal document issued by a magistrate that requires you to appear in court and adhere to a specific request. This might be your direct participation in a court case as a witness or a demand to produce certain documents or objects as evidence. In some instances,…
Seeing a person commit a crime—particularly a violent one—can be very distressing. You could be going to the store or a movie, dropping the kids off at school, or even just sitting at your desk at work when a crime occurs right before your eyes. When confronted with a crisis, some witnesses become so-called Good…
As the jail and prison populations in Florida and throughout the U.S. have swelled, courts have become more open to incarceration alternatives. In fact, as long as a case doesn’t involve mandatory sentences required by law, judges have wide discretion and often utilize other options. One such common substitute for incarceration and other penalties is…
Many scenarios may lead to criminal assault charges in Florida, and there are different types of charges that vary by the severity of the crime. When people think about the term “assault,” they usually associate it with a physical altercation; however, assault does not always involve physical contact. In fact, once a situation escalates to…
Whether or not an action qualifies as assault can be more complicated than deducing fault for other crimes. Many charges have straightforward processes and obvious evidence, such as blood alcohol content in a DUI case. An alleged threat against another, however, may or may not constitute assault, and the elements needed to prove assault may…
The United States continues to have one of the highest incarceration rates globally. As of 2023, there are approximately 2 million individuals behind bars, accounting for about 20% of the world’s prison population despite the U.S. making up only 4% of the global population. While American citizens are constitutionally entitled to a fair trial, studies…
Domestic violence includes charges of domestic assault and battery, common offenses that present prosecutors with a challenge. In a domestic violence case, there are usually only two witnesses––the alleged offender and the alleged victim––who may recall the events that took place before the police arrived. In these situations, it is a given that these parties…
