Criminal law governs crimes, including felonies and misdemeanors. Crimes are generally referred to as offenses against the state. The standard of proof for crimes is "beyond a reasonable doubt." For information on particular crimes or issues surrounding the criminal law, please select from one of the topics below.

• Answering Police Questions - Before Arrest
  • Can a police officer question me for no reason?
  • If an officer asks for my ID, do I have to give it?
  • If a police officer is talking to me, can I walk away?
  • Does an officer have to read me my rights before asking questions?
  • An officer wants to ask me some questions pertaining to a police investigation. Should I talk?
• Answering Police Questions - After Arrest
  • What are Miranda rights?
  • What happens if Miranda warnings are not given?
  • Is all evidence procured due to lack of Miranda warnings excluded?
  • I was read Miranda; is there any way my statements can still be excluded?
  • I have been read my Miranda warnings. Should I talk to the police?
  • Police asked me questions before I was arrested. Are my answers admissible?
  • I voluntarily offered information before I received my Miranda warnings. Are my statements admissible?
  • If I waive my Miranda rights, can I change my mind?
  • Can a police officer coerce a confession out of me, even if Miranda is read?
• The Right to a Lawyer
  • Do I have a right to a lawyer?
  • What is the role of appointed counsel on appeal?
  • Can I waive my right to counsel?
  • Can I be my own lawyer?
  • Do I have the right to choose counsel?
  • Do I have a right to effective assistance of counsel?
• Booking and Bail
  • What is booking?
  • What is bail?
  • How is bail paid, and what is a bail bondsman?
  • How much does bail cost?
  • Is it better to pay the bail or wait for my bail hearing?
  • How do I get my bail lowered or waived?
  • Dude. I am so guilty. Should I even bother paying bail?
• Driving under the Influence
  • What is Driving Under the Influence?
  • What are implied consent laws?
  • What is a blood-alcohol test?
  • What is a field sobriety test?
  • Can I refuse a blood-alcohol test?
  • Can I choose what type of blood alcohol test I have to submit to?
  • What evidence will be used against me in a DUI case?
  • If I am convicted of DUI, what will my punishment be?
  • If I am charged with a DUI, should I get an attorney?
  • How do I avoid a DUI conviction?
  • Are sobriety checkpoints legal?
• Search and Seizure Laws
  • What is the Fourth Amendment?
  • Are there exceptions to the exclusionary rule?
  • Are all searches subject to Fourth Amendment protection?
  • Is there an expectation of privacy in what you tell someone else?
  • Can police search around my home without a warrant?
  • Can police inspect my house with special, technological equipment without a warrant?
  • Do police need a warrant to use a drug-sniffing dog to inspect luggage?
  • Police have a warrant to search my home, but I am not a suspect. Do I have to allow the search?
  • What is a search warrant?
  • What is probable cause?
  • What are sources of probable cause?
  • How should a search warrant be executed?
  • What is an arrest warrant?
  • When is a warrant required?
  • When is it okay to use deadly force?
  • What happens if an officer makes a warrantless arrest?
  • What are exceptions to the warrant requirement?
  • What is the hot pursuit doctrine?
  • Can police conduct a warrantless search if there is an imminent destruction of evidence?
  • What is a search incident to an arrest?
  • What is the plain view doctrine?
  • What is the status quo exception?
  • What is a seizure?
  • Can police officers stop and frisk me?
  • What is reasonable suspicion?
  • What is the permissible extent of a stop and frisk?
  • Can police ask questions of someone on public transportation under the Fourth Amendment?
  • What is the law on traffic stops?
  • If I’m stopped for a traffic violation, can the officer search me or my car?
  • Can an officer order me out of my car during a traffic stop?
  • If, during a traffic stop, police obtain probable cause of criminal wrongdoing, can an officer conduct a search of the car without a warrant?
  • During a traffic stop, can an officer have a dog sniff around the car?
• Arraignment
  • What is an arraignment?
  • When does an arraignment occur?
  • Should I hire a lawyer for arraignment?
  • Should I plead guilty at arraignment?
  • I’m not ready for arraignment. What should I do?
• Understanding Common Crimes
  • What is mens rea?
  • What is a strict liability crime?
  • What does it mean to “knowingly” commit a crime?
  • What are specific intent crimes?
  • What does it mean to have acted “recklessly”?
  • Who is an accomplice?
  • What is an accessory after the fact?
  • Who are conspirators?
  • What is the difference between murder and manslaughter?
  • What is the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter?
  • What is rape?
  • What is statutory rape?
  • What is the difference between burglary, robbery, and theft?
  • What is a hate crime?
  • What is the Patriot Act?