Criminal Law
Charges, defences, and how the criminal justice system works.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Ignoring a Jury Duty Summons?
Tempted to toss that jury duty letter in the recycling? Here's what can actually happen if you don't show up in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, and how to get excused the right way.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Keeping Money Deposited in Your Account by Mistake?
Extra money suddenly shows up in your bank account. Can you keep it? We look at what happens in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia when you spend money deposited by mistake, including real cases where people were charged.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Lying on Your Resume?
Everyone polishes their resume a little. But when does a resume lie become fraud? We look at the law in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, and the real people who went to prison for it.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Missing a Court Date for a Traffic Ticket?
You asked for a trial on your ticket, then the date slipped by. Here's what actually happens when you miss traffic court in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, and what to do next.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Not Paying Credit Card Debt?
A debt collector mentions legal action and suddenly you're picturing handcuffs. Here's what can and can't happen if you stop paying your credit card in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia.
Criminal LawCan You Go To Jail For Impersonating Someone On The Phone?
According to our research, it is estimated that over 50% of individuals have experienced some form of impersonation through phone calls or other communication channels like social media. Impersonating someone on the phone can have serious legal consequences, potentially leading to imprisonment in some instances. Understanding the legal definition and implications of impersonation is crucial…
Criminal LawCan You Go To Jail For False Accusations
False accusations can have profound consequences on individuals and society as a whole. When someone falsely accuses another person of a crime or wrongdoing, it not only tarnishes their reputation but also undermines the integrity of the justice system. This raises an important question: can you go to jail for false accusations? In this article,…
Criminal LawCan You Go To Jail For Filing Single When Married
In the intricate landscape of taxation, even the slightest misstep can lead to severe consequences. Imagine walking along a narrow path fraught with hidden pitfalls and treacherous turns. In this tax terrain, one such pitfall is the act of filing as single when married. This seemingly innocuous action carries weighty implications that may send individuals…
Criminal LawWhen Is It Legal to Shoot Someone
Most people will fortunately not run into any criminal assault throughout their lives. But some are unfortunate enough to face situations where there is an imminent threat of harm to themselves and their property. The law recognizes these situations and allows self-preservation of their self and property, meaning they can present a defense of self-defense…
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for a Cutting Lock off Storage Unit
If you don’t have enough space in your house for your belongings and don’t know where else to put them, storing them in storage units is a good option. Rather than renovating your home or building or renting out an extra room, storage units are a better alternative for storing your assets and belongings in…
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Adultery
Cheating on a partner can cause someone to break their trust or make emotions run high. Depending on how the couple handles the situation, infidelity can lead to long-lasting resentment or the end of the relationship or marriage. But some places can get you into trouble with the law. In places where religion can influence…
Criminal LawIs It Legal to Shoot Someone On Your Property in Self Defense
Popular culture tells us that we’re well within our rights to use force when facing intruders or criminals within our property. The words “self-defense” come to mind. However, what do laws around the world tell us? When is it legal to shoot someone or use lethal force on your property? Read on to find out.…
Criminal LawIs it illegal to smoke while pregnant?
Smoking is a common habit among people around the world. Each year, the global smoking population grows. While laws are becoming more strict in the production, consumption, and distribution of tobacco products, is it illegal to smoke while pregnant? In this article, we’ll answer that question and provide other useful information related to the effects…
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Quit a Job Without Notice?
Quitting a job is never a pleasant situation. The mere act of announcing your departure is already challenging; it becomes extra difficult when you have to quit without notice. In this article, we’ll talk about the legality of quitting without notice, why you should or shouldn’t do it, and how to approach such a situation…
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Lie About Your Age
Sometimes your age can be a hindrance to you acquiring things in life. For example, only adults can watch R-rated movies or buy alcohol. Or companies would only like to hire employees from a specific age group. Sot it might seem a little tempting to lie about your age because of this. It seems unfair,…
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Egg a House?
Eggs are one of the most used ingredients in cooking. But others have another use for eggs. And one particular act that typically teenagers and protesters like doing is to egg a house. Egging is the act of someone or group throwing eggs at people or property. The eggs are raw, but there are instances…
Criminal LawWhat Is It Called When Prisoners Get To Go Outside?
Nobody wants to go to prison. The thought of getting stuck in a cell is not something people like to spend their time on. Fortunately, that isn’t true all the time. Prison life is hard. So once in a while, prisoners can get out of their cells to enjoy the fresh air. If you’re now…
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Expose a Confidential Informant?
Building a case against criminals is sometimes not as easy as it seems, especially against organized crime. You will need the help you can get to bring these guys down. So, the police and other similar institutions would sometimes ask someone to become a confidential informant to get some inside information on the inner workings…
Criminal LawWhat Happens When You Go To Jail?
It’s a heavy feeling realizing that you will end up in jail when you plead not guilty to the judge. Everyone has to pay the price of their crimes. And avoiding it will just make your sentence worse. That said, what happens when you go to jail? Arrival After your sentence you’ll go from court…
Criminal LawWhat Happens To Your Bank Account When You Go To Jail?
Nobody wants to go to jail. But if luck is not on your side and you end up in one, it’s essential to remember that your financial obligations will not excuse you just because you are in prison. Once you are in prison, you will not have any apps where you can press buttons…
Criminal LawCan You Go To Jail For Not Paying A Judgment
Someone just sued you, and unfortunately, you got the short end of the stick. You receive judgment, and it’s a lot of money. Money that you know you could spend on something else rather than what the court demands from you. And so you think to yourself, “Should I even pay this? Or will…
Criminal LawWhat Happens to Your House When You Go to Jail
When you get incarcerated, you won’t be able to access your bank accounts and other personal belongings. So what happens to your house, among other things? In this article, we provide an overview of what might happen to your house and other assets when you end up behind bars. We also discuss ways to keep…
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Not Paying Payday Loans?
Payday loans are fast and high-interest loans that people commonly take out for sudden and emergency expenses that cannot be accommodated by their budget. People sometimes worry that taking out such a loan can lead to jail time if they default. Is this true? In this article, we’ll answer that question based on laws across…
Criminal LawWhat do prisoners do all day?
What do prisoners do in the yard? What do they do outside? In this article, we’re going to answer these questions and discuss the common activities that prisoners are allowed to do while inside correctional facilities and jails. We’ll also compare the US, European, Canadian, and Australian prisons side by side, aiming to shed light…
Criminal LawWhat happens when a man comes home from jail?
For many prisoners, leaving prison is a fresh start, the first step in their new journey of freedom. But, unfortunately, the transition from prisoner to a member of society is not as smooth, especially after long-term incarceration. Integrating into society takes time, and it comes with lots of stress and anxiety to the point some…
Criminal LawIs it legal to record phone calls?
Has your supervisor or abusive ex won’t stop with calls gotten on your last nerve, and you are ready to make a formal complaint? Many harassment charges have a problem sticking because of a lack of evidence. In many cases, it is the complainant’s word against the accused, and without accurate information, making a compelling…
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Write on Money?
Many people assume that writing on paper money is inappropriate. Many of them assume that it’s illegal to write on money — but it’s not. Writing on money isn’t necessarily illegal, but there are restrictions in place to keep the money circulating. In this article, we’ll dive into what the law says about writing on…
Criminal LawWhat are the California recording laws?
California has some of the strictest laws and penalties for the illegal recording of conversations, whether it’s eavesdropping, recording of videos, or photography. In this article, we’ll discuss specific laws that cover your privacy rights relating to recordings and eavesdropping. Two-Party Consent and PC 632 recording laws California’s recording law is a two-party consent law,…
Criminal LawIs it illegal to pepper spray someone?
Oleoresin Capsicum, which is otherwise largely identified as pepper spray, was first introduced by Kamran Logham. The initial idea behind O.C. spray was to facilitate riot control, being that pepper spray is a lachrymatory agent made it easier for police officers to restrain individuals and contain chaotic riots. Over time, capsicum spray has been adopted…
Criminal LawCan I Go to Jail For Not Paying My Taxes?
Taxes are a significant revenue source for most states. Therefore, tax payment and filing returns are regarded as patriotic obligations and constitutional responsibilities by most countries. In retrospect, tax-evading is identified as an intentional and illegal attempt to avoid the evaluation, evasion, or paying of duty levied by the authority. Most countries have constitutional acts,…
Criminal LawWhat to do if your public defender is not doing their job
Guilty or innocent, everyone has a right to competent legal representation. Ultimately, the attorney you hire to represent you will be determined by your income. Individuals who cannot afford to hire a private lawyer, you are automatically assigned a public defender by the state. When people hear the word ‘public defender,’ the first instinct is…
Criminal LawIf charges are dropped, does it stay on record?
The quick answer to this question is yes, they often stay on record. In most countries, dropped charges appear in background checks unless they are expunged or sealed. However, different legislations have certain criteria, processes, and eligibility requirements to follow. In this article, we’re taking a look into how the US and Canadian laws treat…
Criminal LawWill a Misdemeanor Affect Employment?
A misdemeanor is a crime that’s punishable by jail time and/or fine. It’s a less serious offense than a felony but a more serious one than an infraction, which typically doesn’t involve any jail time. In this article, we’re going to discuss how a misdemeanor record can affect your chances of employment in Canada…
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Make Your Own Gun?
Guns have been a part of history, and people have been manufacturing and selling them for ages. Whether it’s for personal or professional use, having a gun requires much scrutiny. But what if you were to make your own gun? What do international laws say about it? In this article, we’ll compare the different gun…