While all criminal charges are serious, there are some offenses that are prosecuted harshly, and they can result in consequences that will affect a person for the rest of their life. Sex crimes are taken especially seriously by the criminal justice system. A conviction for sexual assault or other related crimes in Connecticut will typically require a person to register as a sex offender for either 10 years or life. People who are accused of sex crimes can work with an attorney to determine their options for defending against a conviction and avoiding the stigma of being a registered sex offend ..read more

The United States has a problem with mass incarceration. Defendants who are charged with crimes will often face lengthy prison sentences, even for low-level, non-violent offenses. In many cases, these sentences do not have the desired effect of rehabilitating prisoners and ensuring that they will be able to successfully re-enter society after serving time in prison. Families will often struggle due to the loss of financial support from a person who is incarcerated. After being released, the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction may limit a person’s opportunities, leading them to en ..read more

Social media has provided people with many benefits, including the ability to connect with others who have similar interests and share information about their lives with their friends and family members. However, the increased use of social media has also raised many concerns about issues ranging from privacy to addiction and other unhealthy behaviors. One increasingly prevalent issue for young people who use social media involves the risks of violence, which may occur when fights, bullying, and other related issues are amplified after being shared online. Advocates for public safety and peop ..read more

The First Step Act, which was passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in 2018, has been a significant step towards reducing mass incarceration in the United States. This criminal justice reform law aims to address issues such as sentencing disparities and recidivism rates. By implementing various reforms and providing prisoners with opportunities for rehabilitation, the First Step Act has had a positive impact on reducing mass incarceration across the country. However, many people who face criminal charges will still face an uphill battle as they defend against convictions or u ..read more

In recent years, the opioid epidemic has become a major issue that affects millions of people throughout the United States. The availability of prescription drugs that are used to treat pain has led to high levels of addiction, and some people have turned to illegal sources of drugs. This problem has been compounded by the increased use of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be very potent and dangerous.  While people from all walks of life have been affected by the opioid crisis, inmates in prison are especially likely to suffer overdoses or other harmful issues, and they will often st ..read more

Being pulled over by a police officer is never a pleasant experience, but while these situations can be a fairly minor inconvenience for some people, they can be very dangerous for others. While traffic stops are usually meant to address traffic violations such as speeding, they may be used by police officers as a method to investigate someone they believe is suspicious and uncover evidence that could be used to perform an arrest and pursue more serious criminal charges. Due to racial profiling and the history of unfair treatment of minorities by law enforcement in the United States, these pre ..read more

In the United States, people who are arrested and charged with criminal offenses will often face disadvantages as their cases proceed through the criminal justice system. Prosecutors have many resources at their disposal, and they will use a variety of tactics to secure convictions. The resources available to defendants are much more limited, and those who are being held in prison will often be unsure about what they can do to be released and how they can defend against the charges they are facing. While people in these situations are supposed to have the right to be represented by an attorney ..read more

Due to ongoing efforts by criminal justice advocates, governments throughout the United States are taking steps to address the issue of mass incarceration. The United States incarcerates a larger percentage of its total population than any other country. In fact, the U.S. accounts for around one fourth of the total number of people who are in prison throughout the world. While this is a serious issue that affects the rights of people who are charged with crimes and convicted, it is also very inefficient, with U.S. taxpayers being required to pay to house, feed, and monitor nearly two million p ..read more

Civil asset forfeiture is a practice that is commonly used by law enforcement to confiscate the property of criminal suspects. Police officers and other law enforcement officials at the local, state, and federal levels may seize money, vehicles, or other assets that they believe are connected to criminal activity. This can put people in a difficult position as they attempt to recover their property. In some cases, people who are never charged with crimes or who have not engaged in any criminal activity must wait months or years before their cases can be resolved. As criminal justice advocates ..read more

Human trafficking is an issue that has gained a great deal of attention in recent years. Concerns about the abduction, transportation, and harboring of children, women, or others in order to compel them to participate in the commercial sex trade have led lawmakers to pass new laws addressing sex crimes and crimes against children. A recent change to the laws in California is one example of this trend, and people throughout the United States may face serious penalties if they are accused of engaging in any form of sex trafficking. To ensure that these accusations can be addressed correctly, peo ..read more