| The Exclusionary Rule |
| When a defendant's fourth, fifth or sixth amendment rights have been violated, the exclusionary rule may apply. The exclusionary rule prevents evidence that was illegally obtained from admission at trial. The exclusionary rule was created by case law in 1914 and was made applicable to the states through case law in 1961.The exclusionary rule is a judicial mandate and does not guarantee the defendant's right to constitutional safeguards. More... |
| THEFT |
| A person commits the offense of theft when he or she unlawfully appropriates property with the intent to deprive an owner of the property. The essential element of the offense is depriving the owner of the use, benefit, enjoyment, or value of the property without the owner's consent. More... |
| Overview of Prison Offenses |
| Even after a defendant has been convicted and sentenced to a prison term, he may be charged, convicted, and sentenced again for any offenses committed while in prison. A prison is defined as a correctional or detention facility. Although states vary on the types of chargeable prison offenses, there are some general offenses both under numerous state laws and federal law.More... |
| SEARCH WARRANTS |
| A search warrant is a written document that is signed by a magistrate or a judicial officer. The search warrant allows the police to conduct a search and describes the property that may be seized.More... |
| FEDERAL LAWS REGARDING HOSTAGE-TAKING |
| Although the policy of the federal government is that most hostage-taking offenses within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States should be handled by state and local authorities, there are situations in which the federal government may be involved in prosecuting such offenses. These situations include the taking of a federal official or an international guest as a hostage, a demand against the United States regarding the hostage-taking, or when international terrorists are the perpetrators. More... |


