Criminal Law

The Court of Criminal Appeals recently clarified a Texas officer can make a warrantless “on view” arrest only for a crime he actually perceives while it is happening. While that…

  A preliminary hearing in a felony case in Colorado is one of the earliest opportunities for the prosecution’s evidence to be tested before a judge. It happens after charges have been filed and […]

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to allow review in a case asking whether the U.S. Constitution permits a defendant to be convicted by a jury of fewer than twelve. Read more about News Roundup […]

So let’s get the first thing out of the way. Josh Hokit is a moron who gets hit in the head professionally and shouldn’t be allowed around a microphone for that dumbass Michelle Obama line. Other […]

When the Supreme Court decided Bruen, holding that the constitutionality of laws restricting the fundamental right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment, it was obvious that it would not […]

Supreme Court Rules the Federal Gun Ban Cannot Automatically Disarm Marijuana Users: U.S. v. Hemani Explained On June 18, 2026, the Supreme Court decided United States v. Hemani. The Court…

In a pair of recent cases, the North Carolina Court of Appeals addressed jurisdictional issues related to the prosecution of misdemeanors and the adjudication of infractions in superior court. In […]

It made sense to await the release of the actual terms of the Memorandum of Understanding. After all, media reports can be wrong, and there was always the possibility that the administration was […]

If a person has a felony conviction, then gets it expunged, may the conviction nonetheless be used as a prior conviction to support a habitual felon charge? No reported appellate Read more about […]

As a college and university Title IX attorney-advisor, I have shepherded many a client through either a fact-finding hearing or informal/administrative resolution resulting in a finding of no […]

I have no desire to watch two savages beat each other in an octagonal cage. I appreciate that others do. To each his own. But was the “garish spectacle” at the White House, enmeshing government […]

This post summarizes criminal law and related cases released by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals during May of 2026. Cases of potential interest to state practitioners are summarized monthly. […]

You were driving through a TxDOT work zone when a dump truck backed into traffic, a loader swung into your lane, or a piece of heavy equipment crossed the centerline…

If there is reason to believe that outgoing California Governor Gavin Newsom, or his wife, has committed a crime, then it should be investigated. If probable cause is supported by evidence, then he, […]

The California Supreme Court’s recent decision in In re Kowalczyk is one of the most significant developments in California criminal law and pretrial release procedures in years. Building upon […]

If you were just arrested for child pornography charges in California, you are facing some of the most serious criminal charges in the state. These cases move fast, and the stakes are extremely high […]

The Petite Policy, named for the Supreme Court’s decision in Petite v. United States, prohibited federal prosecution of a defendant who had already been prosecuted for the same offense by the state […]

Trump turned 80 today, and coincidentally according to Trump, the south lawn of the White House has been turned into a UFC cage match extravaganza. The images of the “claw” with the White House […]

Today is TalkLeft’s 23rd Birthday! I wish I had time to celebrate it. I am moving apartments today, same building, same size unit, great mountain view, but a different floor. Why bother? The new […]

What Every Physician Needs to Know to Protect Their License and Career An arrest can upend anyone’s life. For a physician, it can do far more than that. A single…

Shea covered the recent escapes of two inmates from the Vance County Detention Center. On the lam since June 3, the pair were apprehended without incident on Tuesday this week Read more about News […]

Friends, as I write this it’s the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The tournament that’s supposed to embody the spirit of “The Beautiful Game.” It’s America’s turn at hosting the major […]

In the face of a Republican senatorial revolt, including refusal to approve the extension of FISA § 702, which will lapse as the House took off for yet another vacay, to Trump’s appointment of […]

A FedEx truck ran a red light and hit you. Or it backed into your car in a parking lot. Or it crossed the center line and caused a head-on…

Darcy lives in North Carolina. Upon learning about an upcoming music festival in California, Darcy creates realistic, high-quality digital replicas of the festival’s VIP wristband passes and PDF […]

Adhering to the terms of international trade deals, or any international deals for that matter, has always been a matter of trust. And trust mattered, for without it, no deal was a deal, and no […]

A defendant who claims self-defense may offer evidence of the victim’s prior violent conduct, if known to the defendant, to demonstrate the reasonableness of the defendant’s fear of the victim. […]

This post summarizes the published criminal opinions from the North Carolina Court of Appeals released on June 3, 2026. (1) The State lacks authority to appeal a district court’s verbal Read more […]

A school bus hit your car, ran a red light, failed to yield, or backed into you in a parking lot. You have injuries. You have a totaled vehicle. And…

By now, most people in the North Carolina indigent defense community know that Mary Pollard, the executive director of the North Carolina Office of Indigent Defense Services (IDS), has decided Read […]

Every year, thousands of otherwise law-abiding professionals find themselves facing embezzlement charges — people who spent years building careers, raising families, and earning the trust of […]

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived, and North Texas sits at the center of it. AT&T Stadium in Arlington, renamed Dallas Stadium for the tournament, will host nine matches…

The week began with the report of the capture in Mount Airy of an armed fugitive wanted for murder. Michael Puckett is accused of killing one Virginia sheriff’s deputy and Read more about News […]

As the debate over gun control continues to rage in the United States, citizens who own guns struggle to keep up with the changing political landscape and changing laws. The questions are endless. […]

If you or a loved one has been indicted by a Grand Jury, you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what comes next. As an experienced criminal defense attorney, James Dimeas will help you […]

Maybe you’re in this situation and you’re thinking about handling it yourself, paying a fine, and moving on. Before you do anything — read this. What looks like a small legal hiccup can quietly […]

Facing allegations involving possession of child pornography is a serious and life-altering situation. These cases are prosecuted aggressively across the United States, and even a single charge can […]

Only one drug felony level in Colorado carries a true mandatory prison sentence. The other three carry presumptive ranges where a judge still has discretion, meaning the defense strategy in a DF2, […]

With gratitude to those who served and died, to our veterans still with us, and to those currently enlisted who are protecting our nation and allies and everyone in them. This is an open thread, […]

Yes. Dash cam footage from police vehicles and your own camera can be used to challenge DUI charges in Colorado. The question is not whether it is relevant but whether you know how to obtain it, how […]

Few criminal investigations create more fear than allegations involving narcotics sales and firearms. In both California and federal court, prosecutors treat the combination of drugs and guns as a […]

A criminal case can feel overwhelming before you know your options. You may worry about jobs, licenses, housing, school, or background checks. Deferred judgment offers a chance to avoid a final […]

Healthcare fraud enforcement in California—particularly involving Medicare, Medi-Cal, and hospice services—has intensified dramatically in recent years. Federal and state prosecutors are […]

In California, homicide offenses are divided into distinct categories based on the defendant’s mental state, intent, and the surrounding circumstances of the killing. Among the most serious […]

Our last open thread is about to hit 200 comments and close. Here is a new one all topics welcome. I’ll add some content here when I’m done with work for the day. In the meantime, it’s your turn.

A deferred judgment and sentence allows a first-time offender in Colorado to plead guilty, complete a period of court supervision, and then have the guilty plea withdrawn and the charge dismissed […]

You’re waiting in line, passport in hand, when a handler and their alert dog approach. The dog pauses near your carry-on, its nose twitching. Your excitement turns to unease—what are they looking […]

Domestic assault by strangulation is one of the more serious and often misunderstood charges in Minnesota criminal law. It comes up more frequently than many people expect, yet there remains […]

Eyewitness testimony is undeniably a powerful form of evidence in criminal cases. However, there have been studies showing it is also one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in Denver and […]

State v. Contreras-Sanchez Decision On April 15, 2026, the Minnesota Supreme Court issued a significant decision in State v. Contreras-Sanchez, a case that squarely addresses modern digital privacy […]