The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from “unreasonable” search and seizure. In most cases, unless they’re given permission to enter, law enforcement officers need a search warrant to look around and take potential evidence from a person’s...
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Criminal Defense
How serious are theft crimes in Alabama?
All states look harshly at theft crimes, but Alabama has some of the strictest theft laws in the country. Defendants face penalties ranging from a few hundred dollars in fines to years or decades in jail. Those arrested for theft crimes need to take their situation...
Explaining the “felony-murder rule” in Alabama
There’s a lot of controversy around something called the “felony-murder rule.” Some states have revised their laws considerably but have kept some form of it on the books. Essentially, the rule states that if someone dies during the commission of a felony (including...
Could you face shoplifting charges after the fact?
Generally speaking, those who are charged with shoplifting are people who have been caught with merchandise as they tried to leave the store. Maybe they put something in their pocket and then tried to walk out past the cashier without paying. Maybe they put something...
Can the police look in your trash can?
The police need a warrant to search your house, or they need your consent to do so. Without it, even if they suspect they may find evidence in your house, they're not allowed to enter. They have to show this reasonable suspicion to the judge and then be issued the...
The difference between dischargeable and non-dischargeable debt in bankruptcy
The Founders of our country knew that people would sometimes be overwhelmed by debt and be unable to escape it unaided. That is why they gave us the constitutional right to discharge some of our debts and start over. If you are considering filing for bankruptcy,...
3 mistakes to avoid after being charged with DUI
No person is perfect; we all make mistakes. However, how we respond to these mistakes dictates whether we learn from them and grow or wind up making their situation worse. For example, if you are facing driving under the influence (DUI) charges, your next steps matter...
Questioning before and after an arrest
Police must act in accordance with regulations that govern their process of search, seizure and interrogation. People have rights, and even if someone has committed a crime, those rights still exist and are meant to protect against unlawful actions by police. Certain...
The importance of understanding search and seizure rights
It can be critical to understand your rights in the event of an interaction with law enforcement. A violation of constitutional rights is unacceptable, and it could invalidate any potential charges the government may try to bring against you. It is especially...
Were you arrested for DUI in Alabama?
If an Alabama police officer pulls you over in a traffic stop, then asks you to step out of your vehicle, he or she may suspect you of drunk driving or some other impairment. The subsequent events might unfold in any number of ways, including the officer requesting...