The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution protects people from having to give evidence against themselves. In general, this means that if the police arrest you or if a prosecutor questions you, you do not have to testify against yourself. The burden is on the state or the federal government to prove its case independent…

Defense lawyers focus on every legal and factual argument they can make to help you obtain an acquittal or a plea bargain. It is not required that you prove your innocence. It is only required that a defense lawyer convince a judge or jury that there is a reasonable doubt about your guilt. Each charge…

The US Constitution provides several Constitutional checks on law enforcement. The Sixth Amendment provides: “In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law,…

You know how in movies, the bad guys always feels the need to give some long, explanatory speech right before he attacks, which leaves juuuuust enough time for the hero to swoop in and stop the attack? You ever think to yourself, “Dear God, just shut up already. You’re making it worse. They’re gonna get…

The police just pulled you over and searched your car. Inside they find your stash of weed. Do you have a defense? The police knock on your door without a warrant and ask to search your home. Can you say “no” to the search? The police stop you because you look like someone they’re investigating…

…okay, I’ll stop there. But who doesn’t love a great joke? And criminal defense lawyers and bumbling stormtroopers sure provide fertile ground for dad jokes and punchlines. Today’s blog is inspired by both stormtroopers and lawyers. In my personal time, I’ve been creating a stormtrooper costume by hand over the past few years. (I know…