General Law

3 Important Lessons from the Movie “Philadelphia”

May 23, 2014

Hollywood does not always have a sterling reputation when it comes to depicting the truth in films. Even movies based on true stories may be scripted to heighten dramatic effect or to glamorize the less spectacular aspects of a story. Even so, it is possible to learn some powerful lessons from movies that are inspired […]

Grand Theft Auto Might Cost You $200,000

May 20, 2014

A conviction for Grand Theft Auto can mean serious jail time, fines and a permanent criminal record. In most jurisdictions, the penalties for this crime are based on the value of the vehicle involved in the case. Most vehicles, even old or used ones, are worth a substantial amount of money, leading to a high […]

I Just Yelled at a Cop: Did I Break the Law?

May 16, 2014

The right to free speech is protected by the United States Constitution. This important protection shields U.S. citizens from government prosecution for expressing opinions. But does this constitutional protection apply to a heated argument with a police officer? After all, police officers are government employees. Some people may interpret this as a blanket protection, giving […]

Is It Illegal to Not Report a Crime?

May 9, 2014

A large number of crimes are brought to the attention of law enforcement when they are reported by members of the public. The police can’t be everywhere at all times. They often rely on reports from individuals who witnessed crimes or discovered crimes after the fact. In some states, failing to report certain crimes is […]