Robbery Suspect Not Charged with Murder due to Self-Defense

Robbery Suspect Not Charged with Murder due to Self-Defense The recent story of a robbery suspect in California who killed a store clerk, but was not charged with murder because of self-defense, is an important reminder of the complexities involved in criminal cases. It’s natural to assume that if an individual has committed a crime […]
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Criminal Defense Attorney: who is and what does he do?

WHO IS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND WHAT DOES HE DO? When charged with a crime most people look for any lawyer they can get a hold of. While any lawyer might be able handle such cases, a criminal defense attorney has more chances of winning the case than another lawyer who usually does not […]
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Murder Suspect Gives Up

A woman accused of murdering her two children has requested the death penalty. In September 2013, police in Orange County arrested 42-year-old Marilyn Edge of Scottsdale, Arizona in connection with the murder of her two children, aged 9 and 13. Prosecutors allege that Ms. Edge poisoned her children after she lost a custody battle with […]
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The Heat Of The Moment

A sudden passion can separate murder from manslaughter, in a legal sense — but, where is that line drawn? On June 3, 2013, the California Supreme Court delivered People vs. Beltran, (124 Cal.App.3d 335). Mr. Beltran shared a residence with Claire Joyce Tempongko and Ms. Tempongko’s son. While the son called Mr. Beltran “Dad,” Mr. […]
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Johnnie Cochran

“If it doesn’t fit, you must acquit!” That line was made famous during the O.J. Simpson trial by a man who himself became a household name in America. His name was Johnnie Cochran. However, few seem to know that Johnnie Cochran was a well accomplished attorney and famous in his own right prior to the […]
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Taking & Storing DNA Evidence During The Booking Process in California

On March 20, 2014, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that California’s taking and storing DNA profiles from anyone arrested on suspicion of a felony is Constitutional. This caused a bit of controversy throughout the State, because some argue that this practice should not be legal. The state of Maryland practices the same […]
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