A subpoena is a writ, or written command, that is issued by a legal authority. It orders an individual to appear in court as a witness. Subpoenas include specific information like time, date and the location of the courthouse. Subpoenas may also used by other legislative panels such as investigative committees. In the absence of […]
Thanks to thousands of police drama episodes and murder mysteries, most people are familiar with the Miranda rights which have to be read to anyone that gets arrested. This includes the line, “If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you.” This does not mean that everyone arrested gets a free lawyer or […]
The state of Texas recognizes that it is not always practical to keep an individual in jail while he awaits a criminal trial. As a result, many people choose to post bail instead of stay in custody. The process of posting bail is simple and can often be used to secure one’s freedom while a […]
The American justice system is based on the criminal process. “Criminal process” is a term that means “how criminals are caught and punished.” There are certain steps taken by law enforcement in order to catch and punish criminals. They take a long time and involve numerous steps in order to prevent one person in law […]
If a defendant in a criminal case appears to be afflicted with a mental illness during a trial, the court may order him to be tested for competency. The request for testing can be made by a judge, a prosecutor or even the defense. If the defendant cannot communicate with his legal counsel or comprehend […]
