The role of a defense attorney is not simply to argue their client’s innocence, it is also to make sure that they receive a fair trial and due process as guaranteed by the Constitution. Procedure is important, and sometimes a case is not decided on the facts, but the manner in which those facts are […]Continue reading
Although a Judge does not have a great deal of discretion with sentencing due to guidelines, they do have some. Oftentimes, there is a range in the sentencing that the Judge has to place a defendant on. For example, a crime could carry an incarceration period of 5-10 years and the Judge makes the decision […]Continue reading
The view on cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is starting to shift as the laws are changing. In 2015, cannabis with specific guidelines was legalized in Washington DC. Medical marijuana was used and prescribed in DC for years before it was legalized for recreational use. The laws around medical marijuana in the District of Columbia […]Continue reading
In Washington D.C., trespassing is defined as a situation when one is on property without the authorization or consent of the property owner or acting owner. Trespassing is not the most serious crime and many people, especially since first time offenders are eligible for the “stet docket.” A stet docket is when the government contracts […]Continue reading
When issues of crimes on campuses such as sexual assault arise, many schools have an administrative hearing internally that students attend to present their case. This differs from pressing criminal charges in court because the administrative hearing does not involve a professional judge or a randomly selected jury and does not have the punishment options […]Continue reading
Sexual Solicitation or Prostitution is defined in Washington DC as the act of inviting, enticing, offering, persuading, or agreeing to engage in prostitution. DC law states that to prove that prostitution occurred, there must be specific words exchanged between parties promising money for sexual favors. There must be both the offer and the acceptance clearly […]Continue reading
Washington, D.C. sexual abuse crimes are divided into five different categories (first-degree through fourth degree sexual abuse and misdemeanor sexual abuse) depending on the severity of the offense. First Degree Sexual Abuse First-degree sexual abuse, the most serious category, is defined as when a person engages in or causes another person to engage in or […]Continue reading
It is common knowledge that people should not drive when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol because of the serious harm that one can cause to themselves and others if they get behind the wheel in an inebriated state. The messages in advertisements and speeches given by political leaders warn us that […]Continue reading
The National Academics of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine released a report at the start of 2018 that advocates for the lowering of the Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level limit for driving. It encourages the limit be lowered from 0.08% to 0.05%. The yearly report concluded that there are over 10,000 deaths caused by drunk driving […]Continue reading
In 2016 alone, 59,000 United States citizens died from an opioid-related drug overdose. Today, statistics indicate that around 90 Americans die each day from an opioid overdose. These alarmingly high rates recently sparked the national dialogue on solving the “deadliest drug crisis in American History.” Recommending a Nation Public Health Emergency This past Thursday, President […]Continue reading
