A couple of weeks ago, we wrote a post about an evidence vault exploding in a freak incident that is now under investigation. The explosion ruined evidence in a number of cases which are no being reviewed. The cases may not be able to proceed without the evidence.
Evidence vault hit by explosion, cases hang in the balance
An interesting story from up the coast has caught the eye of many in the criminal defense world. An evidence vault at a Washington D.C. police station was the site of an explosion that "significantly" damaged 150 packets of evidence out of the 52,000 that were there. Officials still aren't sure at this time what caused the explosion, but an investigation has been launched. One person was injured in the explosion. Officials are coordinating with prosecutors to determine if cases have been undermined as a result of the lost evidence.
A world without internet is impossible to imagine now
The internet has become a fundamental element of everyday life, so much so that it is hard to remember life without it. How did you meet up with friends before you had cellphones and texting connected on a 4G or WiFi network? Where did you get your information before there was Wikipedia and Google? How did you stay in touch with your friends and family that lived so far away?
The details of drug cases are crucial
One of the stereotypes about drug charges is that "they're all the same." Every drug offender is "the same." The cases proceed in "the same" way. The people who read about these cases think "the same" way about the alleged perpetrators: more poignantly that they are probably guilty even though the person alleged to have committed the crime has his or her presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.
What constitutes a 'legal' search by the police?
When have the police officially begun a "search?" This is an important question because the Fourth Amendment explicitly says that the people are protected from unreasonable search and seizures. Now, the police need to search and seize property given their jobs -- but the people have a right to privacy and protections against a search and seizure that is deemed illegal in the eyes of the law.
Prosecution must prove case against you
Today, we want to talk about a few elements of drug possession charges. Many think of these as "slam dunk" cases that inevitably lead to the accused being locked up. But that isn't the case.
