Newsletters

Scientific Evidence

Scientific evidence constitutes evidence that has been developed through some sort of scientific method. Usually scientific evidence is information that has been published in periodicals and tested by scientists or professionals. This scientific information is considered to be valid within the scientific community.

JURISDICTION OVER OFFENSES THAT ARE COMMITTED ON NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS

When a criminal offense is committed in "Indian Country," jurisdiction over the offense may be assumed by either the federal government, by a state, or by a tribal court. The entity that will assume jurisdiction over the offense depends upon the nature of the offense, whether any jurisdiction has been conferred on a state, and whether the perpetrator or the victim of the offense is a Native American.

Expungement

One can clean up a criminal record by expunging or sealing their criminal records. Expungement is the sealing of criminal records so that they may not be publicly available. It is basically the equivalent of erasing one's criminal record. One can petition the court to expunge their criminal record. Expungement may apply to convictions and arrests.

Confessions - Fifth Amendment Right to Counsel

The United States Supreme Court held in 1966 in the case of Miranda v. Arizona that a person has a right to an attorney during questioning by the police. The basis for this right is the privilege against self-incrimination under the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution.

CRIMES COMMITTED ABOARD AIRCRAFT

A person is guilty of a federal offense if he or she commits certain crimes aboard an aircraft. Such crimes include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, maiming, sexual abuse, assault, embezzlement, theft, receiving stolen property, and robbery. These offenses are punishable as federal offenses, even if they are not connected with aircraft piracy or attempted aircraft piracy.