Criminal Defense & DUI
Browse published legal information questions related to Criminal Defense & DUI.
Do I have to plead guilty if the police report says I smelled like alcohol?
No. In general, a police report saying you smelled like alcohol does not automatically require you to plead guilty. A guilty plea is a legal decision, and it usually depends on the actual charge, the evidence, and your o...
Can police use what I said during a traffic stop if they never Mirandized me?
In general, yes, police may be able to use what you said during a traffic stop even if you were never read Miranda warnings. Miranda warnings are usually required only when a person is both in custody and being questione...
Is it legal for someone to contact my family members after I told them not to contact me?
In general, it may be legal for someone to contact your family members even after you told that person not to contact you, but that depends on the facts and the reason for the contact. In Washington, as in many states, a...
Do I have to ask the platform to preserve evidence before the post disappears?
In general, if you think an online post, message, account record, or platform log may matter in a legal dispute, it is often a good idea to think about preservation early. Once content disappears, gets deleted, or change...
Can I travel internationally with a DUI on my record?
In general, a DUI on your record does not automatically stop you from traveling internationally. Many people with a DUI are still able to leave the United States and enter other countries, but the exact result depends on...
What happens if a police officer gave me a ticket after the crash but I think the other driver caused it?
In Connecticut, getting a ticket after a crash does not necessarily mean you were the one who caused the collision. A police officer may issue a ticket based on what the officer observed at the scene, witness statements,...
What happens if a roommate secretly installed a camera in our shared bathroom?
If a roommate secretly installed a camera in a shared bathroom, that can raise serious legal and safety concerns in Texas. In general, a bathroom is one of the most private places in a home, and secretly recording people...
Do I have to answer questions from detectives if they say I am not under arrest?
In general, no. In South Carolina, as in the rest of the United States, being told that you are not under arrest usually means the police have not formally taken you into custody. That does not automatically create a dut...
What happens if I was hit by a driver with a suspended license?
If you were hit by a driver with a suspended license in Colorado, the fact that the other driver was not legally allowed to drive may matter, but it does not automatically decide who is financially responsible for the cr...
How do I prove a pattern of harassment if most of it happened through Instagram messages?
If most of the conduct happened through Instagram messages, the messages themselves may be some of the most important evidence of a pattern of harassment. In general, a pattern is usually shown by repeated conduct, not b...
I Scratched a Parked Car and Left a Note—How Do I Protect Myself From a Scam?
If you scratched a parked car and left a note, the most important thing is usually to stay organized and avoid admitting more than you know. In Virginia, the accident may involve property damage and insurance issues, and...
How do I ask a judge to exclude a recording that was made without my consent?
In California, asking a judge to exclude a recording usually means asking the court not to admit it as evidence. That request is often made through a motion or objection, depending on the stage of the case and the type o...
What happens if I missed my DMV hearing deadline after a DUI arrest?
If you missed a DMV hearing deadline after a DUI arrest in Louisiana, the most common consequence is that you may lose the chance to challenge an immediate administrative action related to your driving privileges. In gen...
How do I challenge statements made after hours of questioning without food or sleep?
If a statement was made after hours of questioning while a person was deprived of food or sleep, it may be possible to challenge whether the statement was voluntary. In criminal cases, courts usually look at the total ci...
What are my rights if I asked for a lawyer but detectives kept questioning me?
In Illinois, if you are in police custody and you clearly ask for a lawyer, detectives generally must stop asking you questions until a lawyer is present. This rule is based on the idea that a person should be able to en...