The phrase “pleading the Fifth” has been popularized in television shows and movies and is not simply a Hollywood invention. It’s a specific privilege against self-incrimination that is mentioned in the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Under certain circumstances, witnesses can invoke their Fifth Amendment privilege to prevent potential self-incrimination. An example of this…
The city of Gretna, Louisiana, sees more arrests than in any other place in the country, including some high-population, high-crime towns like Baltimore and New York City. The arrest rate in Gretna is a whopping 14 times higher than the national average, with 6,566 arrests made in 2013 alone – a figure that places the…
An individual is permitted to obtain a public defender or private attorney when accused of committing a crime. The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees this right, but there are several steps involved to pursue the action. A public defender represents a defendant who does not have the financial ability to pay for…
As a defendant in a criminal trial, there’s a host of information to be aware of including proper courtroom decorum, how to dress for court, and how to adequately refute charges. If that weren’t enough, there is also an entire system of “motions” that one may pursue to achieve a desirable result. A motion, in…
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol poses great risk to anyone on the road. The law takes drunk driving very seriously, and those charged with a DUI could face a variety of punishments including the loss of driving privileges, financial penalties, and even imprisonment. Driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is…
Facing a criminal charge may feel stressful and scary. With potentially severe punishments, finding ways to get out of the situation is always a top priority, especially if you haven’t had previous run-ins with the law. Many individuals, unaware of their legal options or the workings of the criminal justice system, are often coerced into…
Louisiana judges issue many types of warrants, but one of the most common is bench warrants. Unlike others, you can easily have a bench warrant and be completely unaware of it. Oftentimes, it takes an individual getting over for a minor traffic violation to know about a warrant for their arrest. The more you know…
The type of evidence and how the prosecution presents it in court can be the difference between a guilty verdict or being cleared of all charges. With the stakes so high, attorneys put deep thought into what evidence to show in court and how the judge and jury may receive it. As the defendant in…
It’s natural to be scared if the police ever show up at your door with a search warrant. If you’re preparing for possible police presence, keep in mind that the most important thing is that you stay calm. You do have rights, and the best way to ensure that you stay out of legal trouble…
In 2016, Louisiana passed a law preventing domestic abusers from purchasing guns. Just passing the law, however, was not enough to keep guns out of abusers’ hands. To prevent future gun violence, Louisiana parishes must enforce it. Unfortunately, only the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has followed through with the mandate. The rest of the state…