“RICO” is an abbreviation for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The original purpose of the law, enacted in 1970, was to prosecute the Mafia, a then highly organized Italian-American criminal society. Prosecutors however have broadly used RICO to prosecute organized crime at its roots, with the goal of shutting down entire criminal […]
Colleges and universities often have honor codes. These honor codes typically require students not to give or receive aid on tests, exams, papers or assignments – or in other words, not to cheat. They may carry other requirements regarding student conduct or behavior. The honor code is typically explained when a student starts college, […]
Jury selection is one of the most important parts of any criminal case. Criminal defense lawyers fight to include jurors who will not automatically assume the police officer is credible and that the State or government witnesses must be telling the truth. The Judge instructs the jury that any reasonable doubt means they must […]
The immigration concerns for undocumented immigrants are now extending to sponsors for undocumented children. According to Vice News, Matthew Albence, an official for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stated recently that there is a new joint memo between ICE and the US Department of Health and Human Services. That memo is an agreement, […]
Schools in the state of Tennessee and elsewhere have rules and policies. When a student breaks said rules or policies, he or she faces consequences such as suspension and/or expulsion from school. There are procedures governing disciplinary actions imposed upon students, and part of those procedures is a Student Disciplinary Hearing Authority (SDHA), sometimes […]
How long a trial lasts differs from trial to trial. However, all trials follow this process: Jury selection (if a jury is involved), opening statements, the plaintiff’s proof, direct examination, cross examination, the defendant’s proof, closing statements, jury instruction (if a jury is involved), and the jury’s verdict or the judge’s ruling.
Unless a trial […]
If you are charged with drug possession, the government has the burden of proving you were in possession of drugs beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant does not have to prove he/she was not in possession of the illegal drugs. Anyone charged with possession of illegal narcotics has the right to hold the government […]
According to the American Immigration Council, non-citizens who are either discovered by, or appear before, a U.S. official “at a port of entry or near the border can be deported quickly in an ‘expedited removal’ process.” The United States is required to comply with domestic and international laws which gives asylum seekers the right […]
Oral agreements may work in some situations – often more informal situations – and may have worked in the past, but you should read written documents you receive from the other party before you sign them. You also should understand the agreement that you are entering before you sign written documents. Written documents always […]
The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides rights for those accused of a crime. These rights include the right of the accused “to be confronted with the witnesses against him…” This part of the Amendment is known at the “confrontation” clause. It generally means that someone accused of a crime can cross-examine any […]
