Trace DNA, sometimes called touch DNA, refers to tiny amounts of genetic material left behind through skin cells or brief contact with a person, object or surface. In post-conviction cases, that kind of evidence may deserve a second look when prosecutors treat it as...
A guilty verdict feels overwhelming, but a trial court decision is not always the final word. Appeals do not start a trial over or call new witnesses to testify. Instead, higher courts review official trial transcripts to determine if the judge or prosecutor made...
If you have been convicted of a crime, you have the right to competent legal representation. Most defense attorneys work hard to protect your rights. However, serious mistakes can happen. When those mistakes affect the outcome of your criminal case, your conviction...
Imagine if one day law enforcement knocks on your door to inform you that they discovered your DNA at a crime scene. The most shocking part? You have never even set foot in that location. Strange as it may sound, many individuals have experienced this and some are...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is tightening the screws on immigrants who are accused of drug crimes. Even a minor drug offense may trigger deportation. Here is what you need to know. Who is at risk? If you are not a U.S. citizen, even a minor drug crime,...
When a loved one is convicted of a serious crime like a sex offense or homicide, it might feel hopeless. The weight of a long prison sentence can crush both the convicted individual and their family. In these desperate moments, families naturally question whether DNA...
Few things rattle you like the sense that law enforcement has started looking into your life. Maybe a coworker mentioned that agents asked questions, or an unexpected letter arrived demanding records. What you do in these early weeks, before prosecutors make any...
Detectives investigating serious crimes often ask suspects for voluntary DNA samples to clear their names. You have a legal right to refuse this request unless an investigator presents a valid warrant. Knowing where police power ends helps protect your rights during...
Facing a criminal charge is stressful, but when you are a non-U.S. citizen, the stakes are even higher. A single arrest can put your legal status, your ability to stay with your family and your entire future in the United States at risk. Understanding how the criminal...
Winning post-conviction relief can change the direction of your criminal case. However, it does not always mean the case ends immediately. If a D.C. Superior Court judge grants your motion, the next step depends on the reason for the ruling and the remedy ordered....