BROWSE HOW TOs

Check Out All Categories

Criminal Law

eHow's legal experts discuss criminal law, from restraining orders and capital punishment to sex crimes and domestic violence. Understand the process from the arrest through the trial, as well as the aftermath, including incarceration, parole and probation. Crimes committed by minors falling under juvenile law are also explained in detail. Other legal topics covered via step-by-step instructions in this criminal law section include drug crimes, theft and the basics of criminal law.

Categories in Criminal Law

Articles in Criminal Law

How to Be Prepared in the Event Your Wallet or Purse is Stolen -- Identity Theft is BIG!

By SaraHaley

0 comments

Identity theft is a growing problem, and we hear of property theft everyday. But what if your purse or wallet is stolen? Think about everything you have in there. How would you know what you had when it is no longer in your hands? Here are ... more »

How to Defend Against Third Degree Murder

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

While the statutes defining third degree murder vary considerably from state to state, a good general definition is that any homicide committed with the malicious intention of causing bodily harm, but not necessarily death, may be considered ... more »

How to File an Ex Parte Restraining Order

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

An ex parte restraining order, also known as a temporary restraining order (TRO), is a court order issued to restrict an individual from engaging in certain behaviors, such as coming in contact with another person. Ex parte restraining orders are ... more »

How to Find Information on Restraining Order Laws

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Though laws enforcing them differ from state to state, restraining orders refers are court-issued orders that ban an individual from contacting another individual. The restrictions may remain in place for periods lasting up to years. They also ... more »

How to Find Information on Restraining Orders Across State Lines

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

If you have been granted a restraining order or injunction against another party, you may wonder whether the order remains intact if you choose to move out of the state in which it was filed. Follow these steps to learn how restraining orders can ... more »

How to Find Information on the Penalty for Dealing Marijuana in California

By eHow Legal Editor

1 comments

In most cases, dealing the psychoactive drug marijuana, also known as pot and weed, is illegal in California. There are certain individuals allowed to distribute marijuana in controlled settings for medicinal purposes, but for the majority of ... more »

How to Find Information on the Reasons for Denying Parole

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Parole is intended to help offenders adjust to life outside of a correctional institution. Parole officers can help parolees find jobs and places to live on the outside and supervise their activities to ensure they do not represent a further ... more »

How to Find Information on What Crimes Constitute Grand Theft

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Grand theft, generally referred to as "grand larceny" in U.S. law, is the intentional theft of property or services of significant monetary value. The exact definition of "significant monetary value" varies from state to state, but grand theft ... more »

How to Find the Outcome of a Criminal Trial

By amymcclair

1 comments

The workings of the criminal justice system can be somewhat daunting to the uninitiated. However, it is very simple to get the basic information one is looking for regarding a criminal trial and its outcome. This information is public record and ... more »

How to get a Guardian ad litem appointed to your child custody case.

By capeside

0 comments

Get a investigator appointed to your custody case.. more »

How to Help When a Friend Has Become the Victim of a Violent Crime

By Angie Shiflett

2 comments

When an individual becomes the victim of a violent crime, it is a devastating experience. A violent crime occurs when an offender makes threats, or actually does use any type of force upon another person. A weapon may or may not be used during ... more »

How to Interact With a Court Clerk

By Geoffrey Weed

0 comments

Court clerks, the worker ants of the legal system, can be very difficult to deal with sometimes. While there are many different kinds of clerks, and many of them are extremely pleasant individuals, it's a job much like working at the DMV. Some ... more »

How to Know When to Plead Insanity

By peterclark13

1 comments

People have been pleading insanity in court since the 19th century. And, since the 19th century, insanity pleas have drawn harsh criticism, stark praise and fascinated the public. Whether it’s serial killer Jeffery Dahmer, political pawn Jack ... more »

How to Obtain a Pro Bono Lawyer When You're Incarcerated

By business101

1 comments

Finding a Pro Bono Lawyer is difficult out of jail, challenging incarcerated... more »

How to Obtain a Pro Bono Lawyer When You're Incarcerated

By krazigirl79

1 comments

When an individual becomes incarcerated, the number of available resources diminishes due to an inability to easily communicate with the outside world. In a community of scheduled visits, phone calls and free time, accompanied with a lack of ... more »

How to Obtain a Pro Bono Lawyer When You're Incarcerated

By AskLucy

7 comments

Well- take notes. If you have need of this information, chances are you will not have access to a computer. If you are incarcerated and find yourself short of funds and in need of an attorney- chances are you are looking for a pro bono criminal ... more »

How to Prepare for a Parole Hearing

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Parole is granted to offenders who have served a percentage of their sentences in a correctional institution. A parolee lives outside of prison but completes the remainder of the sentence under strict supervision by a parole officer or other ... more »

How to Prevent Getting Mugged

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Criminals can target anybody. Even if you take the greatest of precautions, you may still be in harm's way because criminals take chances when they think they can win, and you may be their next game of chance. But with the proper preparation and ... more »

How to Protect Your Identity if Your Wallet or Purse is Stolen

By SaraHaley

0 comments

It’s happened to me. I had my purse hanging on the back of my chair at a restaurant, and when I went to pay the bill, it wasn’t there anymore. Someone took it. No one saw who took it. And it had my entire life in it—my checkbook, my credit ... more »

How to Report a Suspected Burglary

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Burglary can be a scary situation for everyone in the area. It compromises the integrity of the affected neighborhood for months afterward. To help keep your city or neighborhood safe, report a suspected burglary clearly and quickly. Use these ... more »

How to Report Vandalism

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

Vandalism is often seen as a victimless crime, but there are costs and emotional scarring of property involved. Vandalism is not just about the vandal who vandalized the area, but about the response or lack thereof of the people in the community ... more »

How to Request Court Documents

By llreynolds

4 comments

There comes a time when there's no avoiding dealing with "the system." When you need a document for a legal reason--whether it's a divorce decree for a mortgage application or a trial transcript for an appeal, it pays to know how to go about ... more »

How to Spot a Miranda Rights Violation

By eHow Legal Editor

0 comments

"Miranda Rights" is the common term for rights granted to US citizens under the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. Citizens must receive a Miranda Warning, or an explanation of these rights, before they can be questioned or placed under arrest, ... more »

How to Survive Jury Duty

By aberrant

1 comments

Jury duty...oh boy.. more »

How to understand legal separation

By capeside

2 comments

legal separation.. more »