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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Alabama on
Q: In Alabama does the county or city within that county have jurisdiction over someone accused of kidnapping.

Can the city and county try the same case?

Christine Hernandez
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Christine Hernandez
answered on Sep 2, 2024

In Alabama, Kidnapping is a felony offense. The State of Alabama prosecutes the case in the county for which the alleged conduct occurred. A municipal court does not have jurisdiction over felony offenses. However, you used the word kidnapping and did not provide any other facts, therefore, if the... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Minnesota on
Q: In Minnesota, when stopped driving, what are the legalities with officer not answering "why did you stop using"

He asked where we going and why we went the way we did. He asked for driver ID. Driver asked why we were pulled over. Officer responded with "I will tell you after I see your ID".

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Sep 18, 2024

In Minnesota police must justify a traffic stop with "reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity" or an observed traffic law violation. These are based on facts that the officer can articulate, later to a judge. A driver must have a valid driver's license to lawfully... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Traffic Tickets and Criminal Law for Minnesota on
Q: Is it legal for police to stop vehicle for license plate lights not working -they do work, stopping too long, slowing?

Radar at 20 - 24 in 55 (unsure exactly, but either coming to stop, or accelerating from stop), stopping too long at stop sign (5 - 10 seconds (7)), and claims license plate lights non functional was the reason for stop. They may be dim, but ARE fully functional.

Thomas C Gallagher
Thomas C Gallagher
answered on Sep 3, 2024

Police can lawfully stop a driver if they observe a violation, or facts amounting to "reasonable, articulable suspicion of criminal activity." Since Minnesota laws requires a working plate light, lack of one can be a lawful basis for a stop. If working, but police claim the contrary, a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for New York on
Q: Does Buck V Kuykendall establish right to travel as long as you aren’t using the highways for buisiness?

My friend told me that the case Buck V Kuykendall establishes our right to travel and shows that the roads can only be regulated for those who are in commerce or using the roads for the propose of business. I tried to tell him that the case Hendricks V Maryland established in 1915 decided that the... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 22, 2024

Buck held that a state may not require a license or fee to engage in interstate commerce using federal highways for the purpose of limiting competition.

It did not in any way hold that roads can only be regulated for those engaged in commerce.

It discussed that states could regulate...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Texas on
Q: I would like to know what steps are needed to take to file a lawsuit against Johnson co PD for wrongful arrest

I believe there is more than enough evidence to not only have the charge dropped but to file (and win) a lawsuit against Johnson co cleburne PD

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Aug 22, 2024

First, you need to clearly win any criminal case arising out of the arrest. By "clearly win" I mean you need to get the charges dismissed, be no-billed by a grand jury, or be found not guilty at trial by a jury.

Second, gather together all of the evidence proving the arrest was...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Washington DC on
Q: Hola quisiera saber si pudieran ayudarme con un caso criminal
Cesar Mejia Duenas
Cesar Mejia Duenas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 22, 2024

Hola, por favor responda con la pregunta con la que necesita ayuda, para poder darle información general sobre casos criminales. Sin embargo, si necesita asistencia legal directa en un caso criminal en Washington, DC, le recomiendo que contacte a un abogado especializado en derecho penal a la... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Colorado on
Q: Could an occupied structure mean a storage unit?
Amedeo Zmarandoiu
Amedeo Zmarandoiu pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 20, 2024

The legal definition of an "occupied structure" can vary depending on the specific statute involved, but generally, it refers to a building or space where people are present or where people could reasonably be expected to be present.

A storage unit, by its nature, is typically not...
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1 Answer | Asked in Gaming and Criminal Law for Nevada on
Q: Possession of counterfeit gaming instrument (66016)

Summons in lieu of arrest

Jennifer Setters
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Jennifer Setters pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 20, 2024

Possession of a counterfeit gaming instrument is a serious charge that can have significant legal consequences. The specific nature of the charge, such as under statute 66016, and the decision to issue a summons in lieu of arrest suggests that the authorities are treating the matter with a level of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Utah on
Q: I just want to know what charges can my cousin get and how long he could possibly be in jail for

He is 18 years old. He was drunk and had a gun. Him and his girlfriend live together. But his girlfriend mom came over and when he was drunk he pulled out the gun to them

James J. Lee
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James J. Lee
answered on Aug 19, 2024

Depending on a few more details, he could be charged with one or more of the following:

-Intoxication (Class C misdemeanor; 90 days jail; fine)

- Minor in Possession (Class B misdemeanor; 6 months jail; fine; driving suspension)

- Threatening with or using dangerous weapon...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law and Domestic Violence for North Carolina on
Q: Is it illegal for a spouse to place a tracking device on a vehicle that is marital property?

A vehicle purchased via loan by Spouse B during a marriage, with loan payments made from Spouse B's own account where their income is deposited (marital funds), titled in Spouse B's name only.

NCGS § 50-20(b)(1) classifies the vehicle as marital property, making Spouse A an owner... View More

Brian King
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answered on Aug 19, 2024

Parties who are considering tracking their spouses’ movements can refer to North Carolina General Statute §14-196.3(b)(5). This statute both defines the state’s understanding of an electronic device and notes that to install such a device, the installer must have their name on the affiliated... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for Florida on
Q: Can I go to the gun shop with my son?

We don't live together, he just wants my insight on what gun he should get

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Aug 18, 2024

There is in general no prohibition against either if you going to the gun shop, either together or separately. It is unclear what difference you suspect it might make that he is your child or that you don't reside together. One could go shopping with a complete stranger; again, it makes no... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Federal Crimes for Michigan on
Q: what will my boyfriend get for his fidsf drjug offense

my boyfriend was arrested yesterday during a raid the police conducted at the hour he was staying at due to the homeowner having had stolen a trailer. during this raid, they found a small baggie with methamphetamine in his pocket. he had a warrant for about 3 months for failure to appear to court... View More

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Aug 17, 2024

Really hard to say without knowing complete facts (e.g., how much is a "small" baggie) and what jurisdiction this is. I would expect some sort of bond to be posted; he has warrants while on probation (which he's not even been reporting to) - gonna be hard to convince a judge or... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: Will they explain to me what will happen if i plead guilty before i plead for my class c misdameanor

I have a possession of drug paraphernalia citation and i want to know if when i go to court to plea tomorrow if they will explain to me what will happen if i plea guilty before i plea

Michelle  Lugo
Michelle Lugo
answered on Sep 6, 2024

Good Afternoon!

If by "they", you mean the Judge or the Prosecutor, they will, but they will not give you advice on what your options are or what you should do. For that, you need a defense attorney. Do not plead guilty as there are other avenues. You do not want this to...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for California on
Q: I need a battery charge to be dismissed.

There were tenants my father was evicting, and my father and I got into a heated argument with the tenants as they had moved they had left personal Items open doors and gates because they wanted the home to get vandalized, cops would come at night because neighbors would call police letting know... View More

Nate Crowley
Nate Crowley pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Aug 30, 2024

Sounds like there are lots of witnesses, self-defense issues, defense of others issues. You have the right to a jury trial. In some cases, a jury acquittal is the only route to a dismissal. In some cases, jury trial doesn't make good sense for the defendant. You need professional advice. Find... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Georgia on
Q: Is there a difference if I were charged with 16-5-70(a) but indicated on 16-5-70(b)
John Kim
John Kim
answered on Aug 15, 2024

Yes, legally there is a difference, since (a) and (b) under the statute have different elements for cruelty to children in the first degree. Once you are arrested, the prosecutor evaluates the evidence to determine how and what charges you are indicted for. Afterwards, the indictment is the formal... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Georgia on
Q: I was sentenced to No Early Termination of Probation in Georgia. Is that set in stone? Or is there still a chance
John Kim
John Kim
answered on Aug 15, 2024

It depends. You can always petition/motion the Court to terminate your probation early. The chances of prevailing will depend on several factors, including the circumstances that led to your "no early termination" condition (i.e., was it a "standard" condition outlined in your... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: If a felony charge on my record says deferred, is it still a conviction?

If not does that mean I can put that I have not been convicted on a job application?

Madolyn García Falone
Madolyn García Falone
answered on Aug 14, 2024

We don't know what your criminal record says, or what the context is. That said, deferred adjudication, by definition, is not a conviction. Deferred adjudication is when the court agrees not to convict you for the crime you've been charged with so long as you can stay out of trouble in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Domestic Violence for Texas on
Q: can a family assault strangulation charge charge/worsen if the victim is a minor and he’s still awaiting pre trial

he is 25 and i am 17 we’ve been together for a year and i did not call it in it was a traffic stop where i was bleeding and found in the car with him. he also got caught with hard drugs. i said i did not want to press charges but the state did anyways

Madolyn García Falone
Madolyn García Falone
answered on Aug 14, 2024

If by "we've been together for a year" you mean that you, then 16, and he, then 24, have been in a sexual relationship, then yes-- things can certainly get worse for him because he can be charged with various sexual crimes against a minor. I can picture the charges being aggravated... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Texas on
Q: How can you find someone to help get a bond reduced especially when the bond is way excessive

The bond is set at $1 million dollars for a first time ever getting into any trouble. Has no prior record and has not seen a judge at all. Also like how much does it cost

Madolyn García Falone
Madolyn García Falone
answered on Aug 14, 2024

There is no guarantee that bond will be reduced as the result of hiring a lawyer because the bond isn't set by the lawyer, so the lawyer doesn't have the ultimate power to reduce it. That being said, a lawyer can consult with you and give you a better picture of what they believe they can... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law for Texas on
Q: Is it possible to have charges dropped from someone? The charge is Felony aggravated assault w/ a deadly weapon.

I am the victim in the case and I don't want the person to go to jail/prison or get prosecuted.

Madolyn García Falone
Madolyn García Falone
answered on Aug 14, 2024

You can file what's called an "Affidavit of Non-Prosecution," which is basically you telling the DA's office/prosecutor that you aren't willingly going to cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of the crime in question, and that you would like to see the charges... View More

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