Would you let a stranger in a lab coat search through your phone? What about a police officer? How about if you had a good reason to refuse, such as evidence of a crime?Questions like these come up all the time in criminal defense. That's because both the U.S. and...
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Criminal Defense
Official misconduct, bad forensic evidence cause false convictions
The National Registry of Exonerations recently issued its 2018 annual report. One hundred fifty-one people were exonerated in the U.S. last year after having been wrongfully convicted of various crimes ranging from traffic offenses to homicide. Together, the exonerees...
The words you speak in public could incite a legal response
There are many things you can do for fun during the summertime in Iowa. Now that the snow has melted, it is a great time to get outdoors and socialize with your friends. But did you know that in some circumstances, you could face arrest for doing so? Although you...
Facial recognition could get you broadly banned after shoplifting
Sometimes, the non-court consequences of criminal activity are as serious as the consequences of a conviction. These "collateral consequences," however, have traditionally come as the result of criminal prosecution. Most of the time, society doesn't inflict serious...
Study of 100 mln traffic stops finds pervasive racial disparities
"Driving while black" isn't a real crime, but it might as well be. African-Americans and people of color persistently report being stopped, searched, cited and even arrested for traffic offenses in situations where white people probably wouldn't be. Yet people of...
What happens during your initial court appearance?
After the police charge you with a crime, you will need to make an initial appearance in court. Before you enter the courtroom, be sure to know your rights and prepare the necessary materials. What is the purpose of an initial appearance? After an arrest, the police...
Students protesting climate policy do have rights
On March 15, students around the world plan to strike in order to highlight the global climate crisis and urge leaders to act. Many participants will be skipping school to engage in discussions, lobbying, protests and demonstrations.Unfortunately, many of those...
AP review shows the stunning consequences for felons who vote
According to some Iowa prosecutors, it doesn't matter if it was a mistake. It doesn't matter if they asked for a provisional ballot. The only thing that matters is that they were a former felon and they voted or attempted to vote.The governor has proposed that Iowa...
SCOTUS unanimously rules states can’t impose excessive fines
Did you know that your property can be seized simply because you have been accused of a certain crime? You don't even have to be convicted. When police decide your money or property is connected to criminal activity, they can seize it in what is called a civil...
Unregulated police use of Rapid DNA tests could be problematic
"You have nothing to fear if you're not going to be a criminal," said a spokesperson for the Bensalem, Pennsylvania police.Bensalem is one of a growing number of police departments that have adopted Rapid DNA technology, a DNA sequencing machine that officers refer to...
