Criminal Law

In-depth discussion of common crimes and possible defenses, an explanation of defendants' constitutional rights, the juvenile justice system, the process from arrest through arraignment and trial and more.

Common Crimes

In-depth information on assault, drug crimes, and much more.

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Common Crimes
Search and Seizure Rules
Juvenile Justice
The Criminal Law Handbook

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Articles & Information

Steps in a Criminal Case: Arrests to Indictment or Preliminary Hearings

Arrest warrants, booking, jail, bail and "OR," grand juries, arraignment, and preliminary hearings.

Should You Accept a Plea Bargain?
In many criminal cases, a plea bargain for a reduced sentence may make sense.

Getting Out of Jail After Arrest
If you've ever been arrested you know the first thing to do is get out of jail. Here's how.

Finding and Working with Your Lawyer

Court-appointed lawyers ("PDs"),private counsel, representing yourself, how to work with your lawyer.

Should You Represent Yourself?
Most defendants really need a lawyer, but sometimes you can handle it yourself.

Should I Just Plead Guilty?
Sometimes you need a reality check: an objective perspective on what is likely to happen should your case go to trial.

Your Rights When Dealing With the Police

Police questioning, search & seizure, street frisks, car searches.

Search Warrants
Learn when police officers must obtain a warrant before they search your home or other property.

Miranda Warning & Miranda Rights
Do the police have to "read you your rights?" What happens if they don't?

Sealing or Expunging Criminal or Juvenile Records

When your record is sealed, or expunged, most of the time it's as if it never happened. The rules are different for every state.

Expungement of Criminal Records
You may be able to have your past criminal or arrest record(s) sealed. Learn how it's done.

Sealing Juvenile Records
It's not always automatic. Learn how to "erase" a juvenile criminal record.

Cruelty to Animals

What to Do If You Suspect Mistreatment of a Dog
You want to help--be sure to do it in an effective and legal way.

Animal Cruelty and Neglect
There's a difference between neglect and cruelty, but both can be crimes.

Organized Dog Fighting
Despite widespread revelations of dogs maimed and killed in the grisly business of dog fighting, the cruelty goes on.

Scientific Research and Animal Cruelty Laws
New attention has been focused on preventing suffering during the use of animals in scientific research.

Killing Animals for Religion or Food
Our assumptions about animal cruelty can be challenged when religious or cultural differences are invoked to justify killing an animal.

Updates & More from Nolo

Nolo's Criminal Law Blog: The Rap Sheet
Nolo's blog on criminal law topics and trending issues by Paul Bergman, a professor at the UCLA School of Law.

Legal Updates
Check out recent legal updates that affect our criminal law products and content.