CRIMINAL LAW

In litigation, written statement describing details of the charges laid against a defendant, and given to him or her by the plaintiff or prosecutor. In case of an indictable offense, it is also called a bill of indictment. Bill of particulars: factual detail submitted by a claimant after a request by the adverse party which […]

Justices rule that drug fight outweighs privacy concerns. WASHINGTON, June 27, 2002 – The Supreme Court ruled that public school officials can require random drug testing of students who want to take part in extracurricular activities. The Fourth Amendment prohibits “unreasonable searches and seizures,” and the plaintiffs in the case at issue, two students from […]

What are my rights if the police approach me and ask me questions? Suppose you or someone you are with calls the police, or you are outside your home or in a public place when the police arrive and begin to ask questions. Law enforcement officers have a duty to protect the community they serve, […]

Washington, June 20 2002– Executing mentally retarded killers violates the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, reversing an earlier decision and ending a practice permitted in 20 states. The 6-3 decision in the case of a Virginia man convicted of a 1996 murder said “evolving standards of decency” preclude […]

1. You may be arrested by a police officer who personally saw you violate any statute, city ordinance, or federal law. The law may be a serious crime (a felony) or a lesser offense (a misdemeanor). The important thing is that the officer sees the violation. Whether the police can arrest you for minor traffic […]

Book Title: Webster’s New World Law Dictionary (Paperback) by Susan Ellis Wild (Editor) Editorial Reviews: Book Description The Plain-English Legal Dictionary for Anyone Who Wants to Understand the Often Incomprehensible Terminology. Law has a language all its own. Webster’s New World Law Dictionary translates it clearly. Written in plain English, it’s much easier to understand […]