Your Free Online Legal Dictionary • Featuring Black’s Law Dictionary, 2nd Ed.
First degree murder and capital murder are commonly confused, most likely because they’re so similar. The main difference between first degree and capital is the punishment that someone who’s committed these crimes
Most people know that it’s illegal to open mail that is addressed to someone else. In fact, there is a federal law that makes it a crime to do so. However, the
If you are looking to find someone in jail, you have a few options. If you’re not sure where to start, trying to find an inmate may feel overwhelming. So before you
If you’re concerned about having a warrant out for your arrest, you should check right away. Fortunately, there are tons of free ways to find out without having to look into the
Looking for an upcoming court date? Whether you are scheduled to appear in court, or you are looking on behalf of the defendant, there are few simple ways to find your court date
Convicted felons lose rights from voting to employment, depending on their state of residence. While some of the rights convicted felons lose may be restored over time, some of the rights are
The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of all U.S. citizens to bear arms except in certain circumstances. One of these circumstances is if you are a convicted felon.
Often discussed on a variety of platforms, hate speech and the legalities associated with it can be a hotly debated topic. Hate speech is loosely defined by laypersons as any offensive speech
An inmate’s release date is accessible to the public and can be obtained with a phone call or internet search. Whether you are a family member planning a homecoming — or you’re
To determine where to find recent arrests, start on a local police department’s website. Other law enforcement agencies may also be useful, but choosing one largely depends on the level of crime
The insanity defense often stirs up quite a bit of debate, especially among members of the public who may not be fully aware of how courts determine whether or not a person
Fundamental to almost any democracy, a writ of habeas corpus is widely considered one of the most basic protections citizens have against unchecked state power. While habeas corpus is a fundamental component
Being charged with a crime needs to be taken seriously. For those who have been issued an arrest warrant, it is extremely important that they respond to it in the appropriate manner.
A restraining order, sometimes called an order of protection, is a binding legal order issued by a court. Typically, a restraining order is issued when one party is accused of: Stalking Harassing
If you’re a witness or victim of a crime, one of the first steps to justice is filing a police report, which helps prompt an investigation. And while it is imperative to
Criminal laws are a method of social control by which government designates certain behaviors as contrary to the health, safety, or moral welfare of society. The laws define the conduct and establish
If someone you love is incarcerated, you may feel helpless. Although you may not be able to see your friend or family member very often, there is one way you can comfort
In the U.S. justice system, everyone is entitled to a vigorous legal defense. In most cases, this defense is headed up by an experienced defense attorney. However, many people don’t really know
When someone is missing, family and friends will be quite concerned. Authorities have realized that a key element of the law must be to notify the public of the location of someone
The development of the Internet and the widespread use of social media has given the schoolyard bully a new weapon to use against a victim. Unlike face-to-face taunting, threats, intimidation, and injury