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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 Legally Protect Yourself If Your Accused Rapist Is Exonerated

By eHow Legal Editor

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There is always the chance that a court may exonerate your rapist. Though there are many laws in place to keep victims safe, the justice system is not perfect, and it's important to know how to protect yourself legally if your attacker goes free. ... more »

How to live on the run

By BrokeNwy

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Living life as a fugituve is never as easy as it seems in the movies. Especialy if your a broke fugitive.. more »

How to load a handgun

By k421incubus

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For use before and during your shooting range practice, or that moviestyle gunfight... more »

How to Make bail / Posting bail / Bail Bondsman

By logan

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Bail involves your promise to the court to appear for trial if you are freed. This article explains what it means to make bail after being arrested... more »

How to Make Due Process Work for You

By llreynolds

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Due process is the collection of rights outlined in the Bill of Rights and in decisions of the Supreme Court that define how citizens should be treated in our legal system. The most familiar of these individual rights are found in the Fifth ... more »

How to Marry a Prisoner

By eHow Legal Editor

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If you desire to marry someone who is in jail, there are special steps you have to take to accomplish this. Before you begin the process, make sure you can handle the emotional toil of not being able to see, hold or be with your spouse every day. ... more »

How to Maximize Your Jury Duty Experience

By missmargot77

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Serving on a jury is your civic duty. Although most people dread getting summonsed and it is a huge interruption to your life, many people end up surprisingly enjoying the actual experience. Here’s how to make the best of your somewhat ... more »

How to Navigate Through Juvenile Court

By eHow Legal Editor

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Juvenile court procedures, while often similar to those of adult courts, vary from state to state. Typically, a probation officer or social worker is assigned to the case and charged with issuing a report that sets out the best interest of the ... more »

How to Obtain an Emergency Restraining Order

By Insightful

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Emergencies often arise during hours when the courts are closed. Most people mistakenly believe that they can not obtain a Restraining Order at these times. But that does not mean the need for Emergency Restraining Orders doesn't exist. ... more »

How to Obtain Professional Help to File a Restraining Order

By eHow Legal Editor

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Restraining order laws vary from state to state, making it essential to enlist the help of a trained professional before you file for one. This person has the experience to help you navigate the court system by providing insight into your state's ... more »

How to Open a Criminal File

By eHow Legal Editor

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Following all legal procedures is crucial when opening a criminal file. For instance, there are laws regulating response dates. Failure to open a criminal file correctly could cause serious complications which includes affecting the defendant's ... more »

How to Participate in Mandatory Treatment Programs While Incarcerated

By eHow Legal Editor

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According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 80 percent of individuals incarcerated in state prisons have a history of substance abuse, and more than half admit that drugs or alcohol-induced behavior led to their incarceration. Yet, less ... more »

How to pick a lock or padlock with household items

By LukeLiu4434

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Knowing how to pick a lock can come in handy if you ever lose your key to your house, bike, or anything else secured by a padlock. While it may sound difficult, picking a lock is a very basic skill and very doable. Here's how you can do it... more »

How to Plea Bargain to Avoid a Criminal Jury Trial

By eHow Legal Editor

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A plea bargain is a legal agreement between a defendant and the prosecution in which the accused agrees to plead guilty to avoid a trial. The defendant receives a lighter sentence as part of the bargain. If you want to "plea down" a case, follow ... more »

How to Plead a Mistaken Identity Defense

By eHow Legal Editor

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While eyewitness testimony is often crucial in a criminal trial, the memory of an eyewitness can change or blur due to numerous factors. If you face charges for a crime you didn't commit, then you might consider pleading the mistaken identity ... more »

How to Post A Bail Bond

By superiorbb

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How does bail bonds work? In the middle of the night, you get a call from a friend or family, guess what. They have just been arrested, and what can you do know... more »

How to Practice Preventing a Rape

By eHow Legal Editor

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Rape is a violent crime in which the perpetrator uses violence or the threat of violence to have sex with an unwilling victim. Overwhelmingly the victims of rape are female, however it's a widely known fact that men under report incidents of ... more »

How to Prepare a Crime Scene Investigation kit

By eHow Legal Editor

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Filling your crime scene kit depends on the job you do and the crimes you investigate. You'll want the basics, including fingerprinting supplies and a quality camera. You can fill the remainder of your crime scene kit with as many gadgets as your ... more »

How to Prepare for a Criminal Trial as a Friend or Family of the Defendant

By eHow Legal Editor

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Having a family member or close friend face a criminal trial can be difficult to deal with. The defendant in the criminal trial will need your help and support as he or she faces court proceedings. Follow these tips to provide that support... more »

How to Prepare for a Criminal Trial as a Witness

By eHow Legal Editor

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Witnesses are vital to both the prosecution and the defense to help establish the guilt or innocence of a defendant in a criminal trial. You should prepare for the opposing attorney to thoroughly cross-examine you. That attorney may even call ... more »

How to Prepare for a Criminal Trial as the Defendant

By eHow Legal Editor

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Persons charged with crimes are entitled to a criminal trial to defend themselves against the charge(s) against them. It is absolutely necessary for defendants to sit down with their attorneys and thoroughly prepare a defense strategy to have the ... more »

How to Prepare Yourself for a Sex Crime Hearing

By eHow Legal Editor

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Sex crime victims usually are required to appear at a hearing to determine your assailant's punishment (if the case was filed in criminal court) or the amount of compensation the attacker must pay (in a civil proceeding). Follow these steps to ... more »

How to Prevent Medical Identity Theft

By eHow Legal Editor

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Identity theft is a crime that most of us try to prevent. However, another crime based on information in the wrong hands is on the rise: medical identity theft. This crime is especially sad because the perpetrators are usually people who simply ... more »

How to Prevent Sexual Violence

By eHow Legal Editor

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Sexual violence is everyone's worst nightmare. This threat is present in many situations throughout the day and is a stressful part of many women's lives. While there is no definitive way to prevent these horrible crimes from happening, there are ... more »

How to Prosecute Shoplifters

By eHow Legal Editor

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Shoplifting can be prosecuted in both civil and criminal courts. If you are a merchant trying to recover losses, here is basic information regarding the shoplifting prosecution process... more »