Tag
Criminal Defense
16 posts tagged Criminal Defense, newest first.
Document Vault and Evidence Checklist on LawSensai: How LawSensai Organizes Your Evidence Without Storing the File
The LawSensai Document Vault stores Family Law documents under signed-URL access scoped by RLS. The Criminal Defense Evidence Checklist intentionally does not store files. This post explains why the split exists and how to use each tool.
Public Defender Warm-Intro on LawSensai: When You Qualify and How LawSensai Routes You
LawSensai has 51 Public Defender offices seeded in the routing engine. When no private attorney accepts your matter and the posture supports a PD referral, the ANS Core falls back to the appropriate PD office. This post explains when you qualify and how the warm intro works.
How to Fight a DUI Charge: Implied Consent, the Administrative Track, and the Criminal Track Explained
A DUI arrest creates two cases running in parallel. This post walks through the implied consent rule, the administrative license track that moves on its own deadline, and the criminal case that follows.
What to do if you are arrested: the first 48 hours
The first 48 hours after an arrest set the trajectory of a criminal case. This post covers the right to silence, the right to counsel, the bail hearing, what to gather, and the conduct that protects both the case and the family.
How to expunge a criminal record: relief paths, waiting periods, and the typical first steps
Expungement and record-sealing are state by state remedies that erase or restrict access to criminal records. This post covers eligibility, the petition, waiting periods, automatic clearance, and what relief actually does for background checks.
How to fight a speeding ticket: process, deadlines, and the common defenses
A speeding ticket is a traffic court matter governed by state and local law, but the procedure is similar everywhere. This post covers the response deadline, plea options, evidence the officer must produce, and the defenses that actually work.
New Jersey Pretrial Release Explained: the 2017 Criminal Justice Reform Act and the Public Safety Assessment
New Jersey eliminated cash bail for most defendants through the 2017 Criminal Justice Reform Act and assesses pretrial release via the Public Safety Assessment risk score administered by the New Jersey Judiciary. Cash bail still applies in narrow circumstances.
DC Pretrial Release Explained: D.C. Code 23-1321 and Why the District Looks Different from Every State
The District of Columbia's pretrial release system under D.C. Code 23-1321 presumptively releases most defendants without cash bail. Detention is available only where the statute supports it based on safety or flight conditions. The Pretrial Services Agency administers the assessment.
Louisiana DWI Defense in 2026: La. R.S. 14:98, the 30-Day OMV Window, and the First Steps After a Stop
Louisiana DWI charges are governed by La. R.S. 14:98 and the related provisions of Title 14. A separate administrative driver's license suspension process runs through the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles with a 30-day window to request a hearing.
Missouri DWI Defense in 2026: The First 72 Hours, the 15-Day Administrative Window, and RSMo 577.010
Missouri DWI charges are governed by RSMo 577.010 (driving while intoxicated) and the related provisions of Chapter 577. A separate administrative driver's license suspension process runs through the Missouri Department of Revenue with a 15-day window to request a hearing.
Nevada DUI Defense in 2026: NRS 484C and the 7-Day Window That Catches Drivers by Surprise
Nevada DUI charges are governed primarily by Chapter 484C of the Nevada Revised Statutes. A separate administrative driver's license process runs through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles with a 7-day window to request a hearing.
Arizona DUI Defense in 2026: A.R.S. 28-1381, the 15-Day MVD Window, and What the Statute Actually Provides
Arizona DUI charges are governed primarily by Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1381 (impaired-to-the-slightest-degree) and 28-1382 (extreme and super extreme DUI). The Motor Vehicle Division administrative process runs in parallel under A.R.S. 28-1385 with a 15-day window to request a hearing.
Record Clearing in Oregon after SB 397: Set-Aside under ORS 137.225 and Arrest Records under ORS 137.223
Oregon set-aside of criminal convictions is governed by ORS 137.225, with arrest-record relief under ORS 137.223. Senate Bill 397 (effective January 2022) expanded eligibility and reduced waiting periods, establishing a petition-based pathway that, when granted, sets aside the conviction.
Record Clearing in Indiana under the Second Chance Act: What Petitioners Ask First in 2026
Indiana expungement and sealing is governed by the Second Chance Act, codified at IC 35-38-9-1 through 35-38-9-11. The statute provides a petition-based pathway with distinct procedures for arrest records, misdemeanors, and felonies based on offense level and waiting period.
Record Clearing in Washington in 2026: Vacation, Sealing, and the Three Statutes That Govern
Washington record vacation and sealing is governed by RCW 9.94A.640 (felonies), 9.95.240 (misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors), and 9.96.060 (resentencing-related vacation). The statutes provide petition-based pathways that, when granted, vacate the conviction so it may be treated as not having occurred.
Record Clearing in Virginia: What the Law Actually Provides in 2026
Virginia record relief is governed by Code of Virginia 19.2-392.2 (expungement of non-conviction records) and 19.2-392.6 through 19.2-392.16 (sealing). The 2021 reform enacted both automatic and petition-based pathways with rolling implementation by the Virginia State Police. This post breaks down what the statute provides, who carries the rollout, and the common misreads that send petitioners off track.