When you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, it’s important that you seek the counsel of a criminal defense attorney, but you also need to know your rights. Your lawyer may be able to help you understand some of these rights, but you can also help yourself by familiarizing yourself with certain basic concepts.

• Right against self-incrimination. You’ve heard of witnesses “pleading the Fifth,” when testifying in front of a judge, jury, or Congress. “Pleading the Fifth” means you don’t have to answer certain questions which, when answered honestly, would tend to incriminate yourself. There are other protections sanctioned under the Fifth Amendment as well, though. One of these is the right not to testify in your own defense if you choose not to. Most defense attorneys will not recommend that defendants testify in court. This is in part because your Fifth Amendment rights are considered waived once you, as a defendant, take the stand.
• Right to counsel. The Sixth Amendment guarantees defendants the right to legal counsel. This means you have the right to be represented by a practicing attorney during trial. It also means that if you cannot afford to retain a lawyer, the government will appoint one to handle the case, at no cost to you. Even before the trial, however, you may have the right to an attorney. Typically from the point of arrest you can choose to consult a lawyer at any time. This right continues through the trial and the first appeal after a conviction.
• Right to a speedy trial by jury. The Sixth Amendment goes on to guarantee defendants the right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury of peers. This means the trial must take place within a reasonable timeframe after the arrest, and that you have a right to a jury trial which you can waive. Many lawyers will recommend waiving your right to a jury trial if they feel the likelihood of conviction is high, and your interests would be better served by entering into a plea agreement or choosing a bench trial instead.
• Protection against “double jeopardy.” This means you cannot be tried twice for the same offense. This means that no matter whether your trial ends in conviction or acquittal, you cannot be tried again for the same crime. You also cannot be given multiple punishments for the same crime.

It’s important to know your rights even before you need to exercise them. Remember that at all times you and you alone have the right to waive your rights. Your defense attorney can help you understand when it’s in your best interests to waive your rights, but no one can force you to do so.

Admit it. You pay attention to celebrity happenings as much as anyone else. Who knows why, but we all seem drawn to famous people, their loves and lives. In most cases, it’s kind of like watching a fire or a train wreck. You know it really isn’t in good taste to watch as celebrities marry, only to run out and hire divorce lawyers a year later, but you can’t help it.

So, without further ado, here is our list of 2010 train wrecks (by “train wrecks”, we mean divorces, in case you didn’t catch that):

• LeAnn Rimes and Dean Sheremet. They started dating in 2001 and tied the knot in 2002. Their divorce became final in June this year. All we can say is C’mon, Dean what were you thinking letting this one get away? I mean, she’s cute, she sings like an angel, and she has to be the biggest sugar-mamma this side of the Mississippi. Of course, the fact that she was sleeping with another dude might have had something to do with it.
• Shania Twain and Mutt Lange. What do you get when you cross a rock and roll legend and a Canadian country singer? Apparently, one kid and a nasty divorce.  Mutt Lange produced some of rock’s greatest bands, including Def Leppard and AC/DC. So what in the world was he doing hooked up with a goat roper anyway? We realize she’s hot (OK, more like smokin’), but still.
• Jesse James and Sandra Bullock. Perhaps the most publicized split of the year, tattoes TV bad boy Jesse James was kicked to the curb by Oscar winning beauty Sandra Bullock. Apparently, Bullock isn’t the first Best Actress winner to suffer a divorce shortly after her award. At least four other recent Best Actress winners also called divorce lawyers after winning their Oscars.
• Kelsey and Camille Grammer. The divorce isn’t final yet, but it should be before the year is out. Apparently, Kelsey, who starred in Cheers and Fraser pushed the mother of his two children into auditioning and getting a part in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills so he could get a little extracurricular action while she was at work.
• Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus. Don’t tell his achy breaky heart, but Billy Ray will be single again, soon as he and wife Tish call it quits after 17 years. As for Miley, we’re guessing that she doesn’t think this is the Best of Both Worlds.
• David Arquette and Courtney Cox. In what is quite likely the most pathetic divorce of the year, Arquette admitted to Howard Stern (of all people) that he cries when having sex with other women now. Really, David? You cry? Either quit sleeping around or grow a pair, dude.

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.

One of the most important guarantees in our national and state laws is that, if we can’t afford to hire a criminal defense attorney, we will be provided with one. This is a tradition that goes back to our nation’s founding, and to a belief that everyone has a right to their due process under the law. The problem is, however, that today there exists a significant lack of balance between the prosecutor’s office – which has access to significant resources in its endeavors to prove someone guilty – and the public defender’s office, which is often a springboard simply for new lawyers who wish to start getting work as a criminal defense attorney. That disparity is leading, more and more, to cries of injustice from those who would seek to create a fair environment for all.

Take, for example, the case in Kalamazoo, Michigan. There is a campaign right now in that state known as “Michigan Campaign for Justice,” and it’s backed by the County Bar Association in Kalamazoo. These folks object to the state of affairs as it exists today.

Right now, each county in that state can develop its own system used to assign a criminal defense attorney to a case when the defendant isn’t able to provide their own counsel. They argue that this creates natural inequity, because the resources in a given county may be much more significant than in a neighboring country, for example.

The group has helped to encourage legislation that is right now being considered by the Michigan House of Representatives in the Judiciary committee. The bill seeks to create a system for public criminal defense attorney uses. The goal, of course, is to make sure that everyone is represented properly.

This echoes a concern of some judges in the state who have noted that prosecutor’s offices often have police investigators at their disposal, as well as significant funding, while criminal defense attorney offices in the public sector just don’t have those same resources.

The legislation may face an uphill battle, as some opponents are characterizing the bill as somehow creating loopholes for those accused of crimes, although the argument doesn’t carry much weight.

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

Ever wondered what those people who get arrested for doing something idiotic are thinking? That’s the trouble … they aren’t! Thinking, that is.

According to Wikipedia, decision making can be regarded as the mental processes (cognitive process) resulting in the selection of a course of action among several alternatives. Every decision making process produces a final choice. Then there’s common sense which means practical, good judgment. The criminals in these stories had neither.

Want a good chuckle at some dumb criminal’s expense? Take a look at the 51 dumbest criminals ever stories.

1. Top 10 Stupid Criminals of 2007 Man robs store. Man burns store down to hide evidence. Man accidentally sets himself on fire … but, wait he stops to grab a roll of lottery tickets!
2. Bizarre (And Stupid) Criminals A man tries to rob two gas station attendants, but they won’t hand over the cash. Robber threatens to call police? Stupid is as stupid does.
3. Man About To Become U.S. Citizen Arrested For Having Too Much Ammo A man from the Dominican Republic arrested with 30,000 rounds of ammunition and three guns. He was scheduled to become an American citizen.
4. Stupid Criminal Stories Two teenage knuckleheads made the decision to video-tape their break-ins.
5. Manure Happens – Stupid Criminals Page This dingbat drug dealer decides not to pay his motel bill. So, he gets arrested when the cops come to check it out … he has a drug lab inside.
6. Top 10 Dumbest Criminals Woman arrested at son’s Boy Scout meeting where drug-sniffing dog was on show. Find out what the cop found in her purse!
7. Dave Moreland’s Bozo Criminal of The Day This Bozo was attempting to cross back into the U.S. from Canada when an officer noticed his ankle bracelet. Find out which famous, troubled starlet he said he was “showing support for.”
8. True Stories Of Some Very Dumb Criminals A man throws a beer party in a vacant home that was for sale and stupidly invites the man who busted him.
9. World’s Dumbest – What On Earth Were These People Thinking?! Uncover what stupid thing this thief did to get caught using a stolen credit card.
10. Dumb And Dumber Criminals Make The News Stories of stupidity including a 17-year old boy who accidentally shot this part of his body while waiting in the drive-thru at McDonald’s™.
11. The Carnival Of The Dumb Criminals Tons of dumb criminal tales.
12. Strange Police Stories From Around The World – Dumb Criminals Find out how erasable ink helped a secretary steal $400,000 from her boss.
13. Stupid Criminal Responds To Marco Polo Game Cops are searching for the suspect. Cop says “Marco” … and … oh no he didn’t.
14. Dumb Criminals – The Stupids Go Out To Eat Dine & dash turns into dine & crash? Read and see how.
15. Top 13 Stupid Criminals Find out how dumb criminals make it easier for law enforcement to do their jobs.
16. We Love Them Dumb Criminals Drug addict doesn’t trust his dealers? Guess where he takes his crack to get it checked out and other similarly moronic stories.
17. Dumb Criminals – Moving the Loot Find out where these thieves left the get- away car and how it got them arrested.
18. Dumb Things People Do – Crime Does Not Pay Unbelievable stories including the one about the robber who got away with the cash but left something else on the counter.
19. Crime Isn’t Funny But Criminals Sometimes Are “Fake” golfer gave himself away when he didn’t know what a handicap was. Find out how this landed him in jail.
20. Dumb Criminals This man tried to eat the evidence to keep from being arrested. I don’t think it’s on the food pyramid.
21. Broward Criminal Lawyer: “Dumb Criminals” Let’s see … if we put our underage drinking party on Facebook, the cops surely won’t show up right?
22. Clumsy Crooks Most people post bail to stay out of jail. Not this dumb criminal.
23. Today’s Robinhood? See how this bank robber was also a cheerful giver and how he got caught!
24. Dumb Criminals Mechanic reports woman to the police after finding a stash in the car’s engine compartment. She didn’t realize he would have to open the hood for the oil change?
25. Dumb Criminals Rule Bank robber eats evidence while being arrested.
26. Burglar Falls Off Ladder 7 Times During Escape See this botched burglary from a dumb criminal.
27. Weird Criminal Law Stories 158 See why this man is paying $5,000 instead of $18 for this dimwit decision.
28. Dumb Criminals: Beer Box Bandit How did wearing an empty beer carton land this man in jail?
29. Dumb Criminals This “clever” burglar got stuck in the wall of a grocery store.
30. Stupid Criminals Two simpletons used permanent marker “masks” to disguise themselves during a break-in.
31. Dumb And Dumber Customs Animal Smugglers Guess what this guy tried to smuggle in his pants.
32. 10 Truly Ridiculous Criminal Acts Why it doesn’t pay to steal camera surveillance equipment.
33. Road Agents Here’s the story about the last stagecoach robbery in the American West in 1898.
34. Beer Police Busts Unauthorized Beer in PA – Lame! Find out how “unauthorized” beer could get you in hot water in Pennsylvania.
35. Ice Cream Truck Robbery These thieves got 5 years in prison for robbing an ice-cream truck.
36. Real Crimes Committed By Dumb Criminals These thieves tried to cut through a safe with a laser tag gun. Tag you’re it!
37. 10 Most Bizarre Arrests Bandits rob a bank and pose for cameras with the loot!
38. Dumb People Two dummies were shooting beer cans off each other’s head. One went to the hospital; one went to jail!
39. Dumb Criminals One drug dealer tried to call the other one in room 119 at a hotel. He ended up calling 911 and going straight to jail.
40. 10 Really Dumb Criminals Including the story about the robber that tried to rob the bank after it had closed for the day.
41. Henry Earl: Arrested 1,000 times This Kentucky man has been arrested 1,000 times for alcohol intoxication. The judge gave him 1,000 days in jail!
42. Malik Alvin Allegation Attracts Critics, Bloggers College basketball player is arrested for stealing a 36-pack of condoms and for knocking over an elderly lady trying to flee.
43. Dumb And Dumber Humor Man tries using a shotgun like a club to break his girlfriend’s windshield. It must’ve been pointing towards him because guess what happened next.
44. Dumb Oklahoma Laws Could wearing your boots to bed in Oklahoma really get you thrown in the slammer?
45. Dumb Crook Stories Here’s a story about a criminal with a gun down his pants. Does he hit the “family jewels?” Read and find out.
46. Dumb and Dumber Did you hear the one about the bank robber who wrote the stick-up note on the back of his utility bill?
47. Schneier On Security See how a woman was arrested at the airport with a fake bomb and play- doh™.
48. Cam Newton Arrested For Stupidity This scholar athlete that was arrested for stealing a lap-top wasn’t very bright.
49. Posts tagged “stupidity” Man drives drunk to show up for his 2-day incarceration for a drunk-driving charge!
50. Woman Logs Into Stolen Laptop – Shoots Pics of Thief Thief nabbed by remote control!
51. “It’s A Shame Stupidity Isn’t Painful!” When a thief takes cash from the liquor store, he wants whiskey on the way out. Find out how the cashier gets him to give up his address.

Image Credits: oldmaison

The symbol of Justice is that of a blindfolded woman with a sword and scales.  Supposedly, the blindfold prevents Justice from being swayed by the outward appearance of persons so that all can be treated impartially and without prejudice.  Sadly, there are times that the blindfold may prevent Justice from looking upon hidden agendas of police, lawyers and judges.  As the science of forensics continues to advance and as the criminal justice system continues to be scrutinized by the public, the media and by those that work in it, there have been cases when those accused and even imprisoned wrongly have been exonerated.  Below are sites that tell the stories of such individuals.

1. Gothamist.com – Describes the travail of several Hofstra University students falsely accused of rape.
2. MyPhillyLawyer – A Florida man wrongly accused is freed after 35 years in prison.
3. Idaho Criminal Defense Blog – Article discusses issues with testing for impaired driving.
4. LawCrossing - Article discusses the Innocence Project.
5. Glenn Sacks – Discussion of frequency of false rape accusations.
6. True Slant – Restitution for those wrongfully accused.
7. Justice on Trial – Several issues regarding those wrongfully accused.
8. BlackPerspective.net – Discussion of a case in Mississippi.
9. The Life After Innocence Project – Experiences after ones have been exonerated.
10. The Defenders Online – Several issues regarding abuse of law enforcement power.
11. Museum of Contemporary Photography – Pictorial essay of some wrongfully accused.
12. California Criminal Lawyer Blog – Various tales of abuse of the law and wrongful accusation.
13. Michigan Sex Crimes Attorneys – Some wrongfully accused of sex crimes are discussed here.
14. I Was Falsely Accused – How one man was exonerated from a child abuse accusation.
15. Southern California Defense Blog – Remedies for those wrongfully accused.
16. Wrongfully Accused – More examples from a source in Georgia.
17. Law Memo – Wrongful accusations in the workplace.
18. Abuse-Excuse.com – Help for those wrongfully accused.
19. Bluhm Blog – scholarly discussion of this issue.
20. KariSable.com – Many articles and resources relative to false accusations.
21. Caught.net – cases of misconduct in the legal system are discussed here.
22. Stories of the Wrongfully Convicted – Stories, pictures and videos on this site.
23. Falsely-Accused.net – Resources for those falsely accused of abuse.
24. Falsely Accused Dad – A father discusses his case.
25. Bill Coleman – One man on a hunger strike due to being wrongfully accused.
26. Kirstin’s Story – A young woman’s story of false accusation.
27. Reason.com – Parents try to get removed from a list of child abusers.
28. S.P.A.R.C. – Steps to take when wrongfully accused in a custody case.
29. Probable Cause – Several discussions on wrongful accusations.
30. Reversing a Wrongful Conviction – Steps to take for those wrongfully accused.
31. What’s The Harm? – Instances of induced testimony used in court.
32. Windy Citizen – A 14-year-old’s story.
33. AmFOR.net – Articles and resources for those wrongfully accused.
34. Resources for Cases of Innocence – A page dedicated to the wrongly accused.
35. Catholic Online – A man is freed after 22 years on Death Row.
36. DNA Center – how DNA helps free those wrongly accused.
37. LauraJames.com – A crime historian writes on this subject.
38. DanaRoc.com – Article on a filmmaker’s desire to tell stories of the wrongly accused.
39. P.A.T.R.I.C.K. Crusade – Resources for those needing help with false accusations.
40. Social Science Research Network – College professor posts several articles on this subject.
41. The Injustice Line – More resources for victims of injustice.
42. Forensic Truth Foundation – Help for those accused of Shaken Baby Syndrome.
43. SBSDefense.com – Another resource relative to Shaken Baby Syndrome.
44. FreeKenMarsh.com – Story of a man unjustly accused of a child’s death.
45. The Yurko Project – Another man unjustly accused of child murder.
46. Proving Innocence – A group that helps the wrongly accused get justice.
47. TheLoop21.com – Article discusses several cases of wrongful accusations.
48. Illegal Procedure – A defense attorney weighs in on this issue.
49. BruceRichland.com – The process of defending one wrongly accused.
50. Robbery of Freedom – An Alabama woman’s story.
51. Southern Injustice – Cases are presented for review for the reader to reason on.
52. Bode Technology – How DNA helped free some unjustly accused.
53. F.A.S.T – Team that helps those wrongly accused.

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.