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...
The right to a fair trial is a cornerstone of the American justice system. However, in some cases, jurors hide personal biases during jury selection. When this happens, a defendant may have grounds to challenge a conviction through the appeals process. Can a biased...
Identifying the evidence needed to reopen a closed case A conviction often feels like the final word in a legal battle. However, the law provides a narrow opening for cases to be revisited when significant facts come to light. Legal teams use this newly discovered...
DNA evidence often feels decisive in criminal trials. This is especially true when it appears to directly link a defendant to a crime. However, biological data is only as reliable as the methods law enforcement uses to collect, test and interpret it. In courts across...
A shoplifting charge can bring stress and uncertainty. If you are facing one, you might worry about the possibility of jail time and the effect a conviction could have on your future. That is why it is important to understand what courts consider in these cases. When...
If you are facing a criminal conviction and you learn that the court dismissed your appeal, the news can feel devastating. You may have hoped the appellate court would correct what you believe went wrong at the initial trial. Generally, an appellate court’s decision...
New or reexamined evidence sometimes raises credible doubts even years after a verdict. Courts permit DNA retesting when more accurate methods were unavailable at trial or when testing produced inconclusive results. In Washington, D.C., this process can address...
DNA evidence plays a powerful role in criminal cases in Washington, DC, and it does not only support the prosecution. When used correctly, DNA evidence can reinforce an alibi by showing that physical evidence does not place you at the scene. Courts and forensic...