March 2013

Can Police Force Drivers to Take a Blood Test?

March 10, 2013

Many individuals disagree with DUI checkpoints, and now another heated debate has surfaced – Should police be allowed to draw a blood test without a valid warrant, and without the driver’s permission? This question was thrust into the spotlight earlier this year when a Missouri drunk driver refused to take a blood test without a […]

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The Legal Construct of Manslaughter

March 10, 2013

Killing a human being without premeditation or so-called malice aforethought, meaning without any prior intention to do so, is known as manslaughter. It is not tried as a lesser degree of murder, but as a crime in itself. The difference is that murder must have malice and manslaughter lacks that component. The crime of manslaughter […]

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What NORML is doing to Reform Marijuana Laws

March 7, 2013

Somehow, despite all the progress society has made in the realms of freedom of choice, marijuana is still on the proverbial chopping block. The debate on the legalization of the herb has been an ongoing circus for decades even though proof has been given that there are more dangerous substances readily available to consumers. Prohibition […]

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Do Diet Drinks Increase Alcohol Levels?

March 7, 2013

Many social drinkers mix diet soda with alcoholic beverages to boost the taste or reduce calories consumed. However, there’s a huge downside to this common practice and it includes a higher chance for getting arrested for DUI. Studies prove that diet soda directly affects higher blood alcohol readings. Why do Diet Drinks Increase Alcohol Readings? […]

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DUI “SCARLET LETTER”

March 7, 2013

The State of Texas has taken on a new type of punishment for some DUI offenders.  This type of punishment is called “shock probation”.  An example of this punishment can be observed in the case involving Michael Glacona. Glacona pled guilty to driving under the influence after he was involved in an automobile accident resulting […]

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The Difference between Legalization and Decriminalization

March 7, 2013

Several substances and activities have become the focus of a decriminalization or legalization debate over the decades. They have included alcohol, marijuana, and prostitution. The arguments rage on, with both sides passionately holding their ground. The people behind these debates have very strong feelings about their topic. Legalization of Marijuana Today, one of the hot […]

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Entering the US with a Criminal Background

March 7, 2013

US Immigration restricts access into the country so that people with a criminal history are not automatically eligible to enter, even as visitors. They can be sent home at the border. Computers allow every customs agent to know the details of a person’s criminal activity without making a single phone call. The rules for entering […]

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Researchers Find That Excessive TV Watching May be Correlated to Criminal Behavior

March 7, 2013

For years, scientists and psychologists have thought there to be a link between excessive television watching and criminal behavior, but there has yet to be a “real-life” study to prove their hypotheses, until now. Researchers have found that watching too much TV as a child may have long-term consequences that could last a lifetime. The […]

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What is Mens Rea?

March 2, 2013

The basic law dictionary definition of mens rea is the mental component of criminal liability. In order to be guilty of most crimes, a defendant must have committed the criminal act in a certain mental state, the mens rea. Brief History of the Concept of Mens Rea: An explanation of the term mens rea is […]

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