General Law

Defendants With Mental Disorders

January 31, 2013

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 […]

When Can Police Conduct a Search?

January 22, 2013

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the government from performing unreasonable searches and seizures of people and their property. Ultimately, this means that the government must have a valid explanation in order to inspect a citizen’s belongings. If police officers have consent, they can legally conduct a search. A person may give authorities the […]