Recent events in Boston reflect a problem that seems to be facing the nation on a larger scale as well, with accusations flying from both sides of the fence over whether each gets enough funding. State prosecutors in Massachusetts are throwing accusations that the state is spending way too much money to fund their district attorney and criminal defense attorney systems, citing statistics that suggest the state spends three times the amount of money on defense as it does on prosecution. Meanwhile, the criminal defense attorneys shot back and claim that those arguments are skewed, and that prosecutor access to policy investigators and resources more than makes up for any disparity between the two groups.

Prosecutors in Boston are petitioning lawmakers in Massachusetts to reallocated funding they see in the system. They describe spending by the Committee for Public Counsel Services (the state department that funds the criminal defense attorney system) as being “broken” and “out of control.”

This dispute has seriously raised emotions in the state. During a recent press conference that was organized by district attorneys, there was actually a shouting match between the two sides. Each accused the other of twisting budget numbers to serve their own agendas.

The district attorneys claimed to get $92 million from the state, which had to be used to prosecute as many as 300,000 cases each year. They contrasted this with the $168 million that the state gives in funding for public defenders, who are only utilized in about 200,000 of those cases. Further, the prosecutors suggested that this gap is actually a dangerous waste of taxpayer money.

In some ways, it’s hard to argue with the numbers. The criminal defense attorney budget in the state was just $51 million only eight years ago. In addition, that division has overspent its budget every year for the past several years. This also follows the 2005 pay raise given to criminal defense attorneys after the defenders refused to sign a new service contract.

This dispute isn’t likely to go away anytime soon, either. Many lawmakers are wary of offending either side, and some consider it a political hot potato that no one seems to want to deal with.

Getting accused of a crime can be an extremely devastating thing. In many cases, you might get judged in the “court of public opinion” long before you ever have a trial. More than one person has lost friends and become estranged from family just because they were falsely accused of breaking the law. In many cases, the best thing you can do is to find a qualified and competent criminal defense attorney who can then help you to prove your innocence and clear your name.

The problem is that it can be tough to get a good criminal defense attorney. In many areas, the local public defender just doesn’t have the experience or the resources available to him that may be needed to argue your case. Hiring a criminal defense attorney who does have experience and resources may be outside of your budget.

While you’re almost always better off with a criminal defense attorney, the fact remains that you have the option of defending yourself. Here are some things to consider when you are thinking about acting as your own criminal defense attorney:

• It’s your right to represent yourself in any court case. It’s known as “acting pro se,” which means acting “for yourself.”
• There are some instances, such as family court or courts involving property rental issues, in which the courts have created user-friendly forms to help folks acting pro se. This is much less common in criminal cases, however.
• Even if you do decide to act pro se, you should consider at least consulting a criminal defense attorney. The attorney can offer you the benefits of experience and knowledge that you may lack. Some attorneys offer relatively low-cost consultations.
• Even if you do act as your own criminal defense attorney, you’re bound by the same rules as attorneys. You’ll need to consult your state’s rules regarding the courts’ rules.
• You can get information on your case from a court clerk, but they cannot give you any legal advice such as helping you choose between specific options.
• The law librarians at the local courthouse may be able to assist you in finding legal research, or how to find an historical case or a necessary form.

If you are stopped by a police officer due to a perceived traffic violation, your first instinct may to feel panicked or afraid because of the situation. It is important that you understand your rights during a traffic stop so that you can maintain some semblance of control over the situation. Police officers do not have to be intimidating or scary during a traffic stop, especially not when you know what rights are yours to exercise.

1. Police Crimes: What are your rights when you’re at a traffic stop and talking to the officer? Find out here.
2. Law Firms: Your rights when you are pulled over by a police officer.
3. Speeding Ticket Central: The blue light special and what you should do when you are in a traffic stop.
4. Ticket Assassin: What you should do when you hear or see the police behind you.
5. Flex Your Rights: A look at some policing stories that are in the press.
6. Traffic Ticket Secrets: A list of things that you should keep in mind during your traffic stop.
7. Traffic Violation Law Firms: Frequently asked question and vital information about your rights during traffic stops.
8. Seattle Pi Blog: A look at what you are legally responsible for doing during a traffic stop.
9. Quiz Law: What is the law when it comes to traffic stops?
10. National Motorists Association: How you can protect your rights during a police stop.
11. All Eyes on Who: It is important to know your rights when you are involved in a traffic stop.
12. Expert Law: What happens when you are stopped by the police.
13. Find Law Public: What to do when you are involved in a traffic stop, beginning with what to do when you first see a police car behind you.
14. Traffic Secrets: A look at whether or not police are allowed to search the car during a stop.
15. North Carolina Criminal Law: Traffic stops, beginning to end.
16. Pay No Fine: Here you can find an eBook that will help you fight your traffic ticket or traffic stop.
17. Abate of South Carolina: The importance of knowing what your rights are during a traffic stop in the state of South Carolina.
18. Redding Police Department: Frequently asked questions about traffic stops.
19. Law Collective: What you need to know about traffic stops?
20. Washington Traffic Law Blog: What you need to know about traffic stop law in Washington State.
21. BSPCN: How to deal with police officers when you are pulled over.
22. Colorado DUI Attorneys: What are your rights when you are pulled over for a DUI?
23. Ride Lust: A series of informative videos about how you should deal with police officers if you happen to be pulled over for a traffic violation.
24. Kentucky DUI Blog: What you should do and know if you are stopped for a suspected DUI.
25. DUI Answer: Can you refuse a DUI test when you are pulled over?
26. L&L Risk Management Institute: A look at how delays after traffic stop can mandate the suppression of evidence.
27. Carolina Journal Online: Traffic stop constitutionality in the Carolina courts.
28. Madison Florida Voice: A case study on a traffic stop that resulted in a meth bust.
29. Criminal Law Lawyer Source: What to do if you are involved in a DUI-related traffic stop.
30. Melbourne Florida: What happens after a police officer stops you?
31. York DUI: What to do if you are stopped for a DUI.
32. Legal Questions Answered: Can passengers be questioned during a traffic stop?
33. Greendale Police: Traffic stops in Greendale and what you should know to be prepared.
34. Blackened: What you should do if the police stop you.
35. City of Southfield: What you should do when a police officer stops you.
36. Wells Maine: When you are stopped by the police, what should you do?
37. Las Vegas Legal News: Details a situation where cops are sued by a defense lawyer over a traffic stop situation.
38. Minneapolis Criminal Law News: A look at countermeasures to take during a stop for DWI.
39. The Grio: 10 things that you should know about police stops.
40. Changing Winds: What you should do when the police stop you.
41. Charlestown, RI: Know your rights and your responsibilities in traffic stops.
42. Norml: Your rights when it comes to traffic stops involving marijuana.
43. People’s United Community: The police, and what they can and cannot do.
44. Roadblock Revelations: A case study about  traffic stops by Homeland Security.
45. Your Plum: This article talks about illegal traffic stops and an unconstitutional ordinance that allows them.
46. Ohio Traffic Ticket Help: What to do when a police officer stops you, step by step.
47. Vernon Hills: Things that you should know when you are pulled over.
48. Government Dirt: 10 things to remember when a police officer confronts you.
49. Cal Guns: A look at how passengers have the same rights as the drivers when stopped by police.
50. Illinois Norml:  If you are stopped by the police, you should flex your rights.
51. PA Premise Alert: Tips on how you should interact with police officers.

Image Credits: infowidget

Protecting your elderly parents and friends is important, especially if you want to make sure that they don’t get scammed. There are many ways that they can be taken advantage of, and tips to protect them from this type of behavior can make sure that their finances are saved from con artists. Many types of scams prey on these people from romance and dating to home improvement and tips are available for each of them to make sure you know what they are and how to ward them off.

1. Peppereyes:  Shows how to protect the elderly from home invasions and other tips to keep them safe.
2. North Carolina Estate Planning: Offers advice on protecting yourself from identity theft, scams and other financial threats.
3. The Singles Café:  Tips to deal with the romance and love scams that target lonely older people.
4. My Philly Lawyer:  Tips on how to recognize and be aware of the scams that target those of older years and how to avoid them.
5. California Elder Law Attorney:  Explains the typical signs of scam and who is most likely to be the predators.
6. Lakewood 24/6:  Tips on the latest scams and how to protect yourself.
7. Silver Planet:  Tips and advice on securities fraud and steps to take to invest your money well.
8. TV Ears:  Gives information on the latest hearing aid scam, and warning signs that you should look out for.
9. Silver Census:  There are different ways that you can protect yourself, and they offer you several to do so.
10. Home And Hearth:  Explains why seniors are at risk with the top scams that affect them.  Also offers top 10 tips on how to avoid being a victim of fraud.
11. Landlord Rescue:  Who you are conned by has a lot to do with the scam.  Here, you can find information out about the types you will likely encounter.
12. Dating Reviews:  Shows who is at risk for dating site scams and why.
13. Schnier On Security:  He shares a personal story of a victim of fraud and why she was a target.
14. Spotlight On Elder Abuse:  Scamming is global, and this looks at the problem in Australia.
15. American Consumer News:  Tips on financial scams and how to keep your finances safe from predators.
16. Lionheart Group:  Advice on the growing Medicare scams and how to avoid being a target.  They also discuss how the rebate checks are placing people at risk.
17. Arizona Senior Law:  The top list of scams that target seniors are listed.
18. Stamp Collectors News:  The post office encourages seniors not to send money though the mail and offers tips on what to look out for if you arte getting scammed.
19. Best Reverse Mortgage:  Shows the latest scams concerning reverse mortgages, and tips that you can take to avoid being a victim.
20. Fraud Encyclopedia:  A new bathroom scam affects women living alone.  They show the scam and tips to avoid it.
21. Senior Citizens Journal:  An interactive game has been developed to help you identify the threats of fraud that you may encounter.  Unser friendly and easy to play.
22. Fraud And Scam:  Looks at the Grandparent scam and shows what it is and offers advice on how to handle it.
23. Investment Fraud: Not all scammers are young.  They take a look at the other side of the scamming coin: senior con artists.
24. Business Information:  All the different types of telemarketing scams are shown with tips to avoid them.
25. Stockbroker Blog:  Tips to protect yourself from investment fraud.
26. Professional Medical Corp.:  Explains and offers advice on how to deal with the new Medicare scams.
27. Alexis Moore: Scammers have a new way of getting to the money by making threats of homelessness.  She gives advice on the new scam and tips to avoid it.
28. Consumer Alert:  Shows how phone scams are alive and well with the senior demographic.
29. Diabetes News Hound:  Tips on avoiding the diabetic supply scam that is prevalent in the senior communities.
30. Blogger News:  A look at some of the most common scams, and they look at the question of elder abuse and scams pertaining to the legal system.
31. Sonoran Peak:  roofing scams are still popular, and these tips can help you avoid it.
32. Today Senior:  A top list of the most common scams that target the elderly with tips on how to avoid them and what to look out for.
33. Reverse Mortgage Loan:  Some of the most common scams, with a look at the new predator that is emerging: one that is elderly as well.
34. Nivac:  Some warning signs that you may be dealing with a scam artist.
35. Crime Scene KS:  Details the new banking scam done via the telephone with tips on what to avoid from banking institutions.
36. Credit Identify Safe:  Gives an answer to why the elderly are targeted, and steps that can be done to avoid being a victim.
37. The Pipeline:  An old scam makes a reappearance, and they offer tips for homeowners to avoid it.
38. Elder Parent Help:  Explains why the elderly are targets and things you can do to avoid scams.
39. Active Rain:  Seniors are being targeted toward investment scams.  This can help you identify one, and things to do to avoid being taken in.
40. CPA Sense:  A new scam has appeared that gives free meals and investment scams.
41. No Apologies:  A personal look at the grandparent scam, and tips to avoid them.
42. Fergie’s Tech Blog:  Warns against online scams for those that are dubbed “Silver Surfers”.
43. BBB Scam Busters:  Top 5 senior scams and tips that you can take to protect yourself or a loved one.
44. PI Newswire:  the new phone scam that targets the elderly by claiming to be a grandchild is explored and explains with tips to avoid it.
45. Love Money:  Identity theft is on the rise, and they show how they affect seniors.  Also offers advice on how to deal with one of the oldest scams in existence.
46. SB Law Firm:  Shows the new phone scam and tips to avoid it.
47. Denise Richardson:  She helps you fight scams by showing you what the most common are.  Also gives advice on what to do to avoid being scammed.
48. ID Guardian:  Identify theft is a problem and here is some ways to protect yourself.
49. Watchdog Nation:  Offers tips and gives information on many of the scams that are out there, and why the elderly are the most common targets.
50. McFarlin Law:  Home Loan modification scams and why you may be at risk.

Image Credits: NazarethCollege

One of the possible sentences for a criminal conviction is home monitoring, sometimes called home detention, electronic monitoring, or house arrest. A judge can order home monitoring as a defendant awaits trial as well, and it is increasingly being used to combat the problem of prison overcrowding.

How does home monitoring work?

With home monitoring, an offender is required to be in his home at certain hours of the day, although there are usually exceptions for work and other qualifying activities like doctor’s visits, food shopping, etc. The person wears an electronic bracelet that fits snugly underneath a pant leg 24 hours a day and seven days a week; a wrist bracelet may also be an option.

The bracelet makes sure the offender doesn’t leave the home except for at approved times; if he does attempt the leave the house outside of those times, an alarm is sounded.

What if I try to tamper with the bracelet?

If a person under home monitoring tries to tamper with the bracelet or home device, it is recorded as such, and the court will soon know about it.

If the alarm sounds or if the device records a tampering attempt, the offender could face the revocation of home monitoring in favor of incarceration or other penalties.

Are there other conditions involved with home monitoring?

The procedure of home monitoring varies by jurisdiction, but there are often other provisions that must be met in order to keep the home monitoring agreement going, including curfew calls to make sure the offender is at home a given time and alcohol checks via a breathalyzer or SCRAM device.

If you’re interested in learning more about the possibility of home monitoring in your situation, be sure to contact an experienced criminal justice attorney in your area who may be able to help.