Native American casinos have become increasingly popular destinations for entertainment and gambling across the United States. These casinos, usually situated on tribal lands, offer a variety of games, from slot machines to poker tables. While they provide fun and excitement for visitors, they also present unique legal situations due to their location and governance by tribal law in conjunction with federal and state regulations. Despite stringent security measures, casinos can be a magnet for certain criminal activities. Frequent causes for criminal charges in tribal casinos Tribal police and ..read more

Case-by-case enforcement of driving under the influence (DUI) statutes is relatively inefficient. It is impossible for police officers to identify and arrest every impaired motorist through direct traffic enforcement efforts. Police departments sometimes try to deter drunk driving and catch more people by conducting DUI checkpoints. Sobriety roadblocks or DUI checkpoints allow police officers to screen dozens or hundreds of people in just a few hours. Motorists who encounter sobriety checkpoints can expect officers to engage in certain conduct. Initial screening of all motorists The only eleme ..read more

Theft and property crimes are common problems in college settings, affecting students, faculty and the school itself. These crimes can range from minor thefts like taking personal items from dorm rooms to more serious offenses involving expensive equipment or technology. If you are a college student, you should be aware of the types of thefts that often occur on campuses. Common types of theft on college campuses The most common thefts on college campuses usually involve personal property. Laptops, smartphones, bicycles and textbooks are often stolen because they are valuable and easy to sell ..read more

Those arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) offenses typically know that they face major consequences in the event of a conviction. A judge could sentence them to incarceration and order them to pay fines. They might also lose their driver’s licenses. Beyond that, it is common for people to worry that a DUI charge might theoretically cost them their job. If someone drives for a living and the offense occurred while they were on the clock, then the chances of losing a job may be relatively high. But, does someone arrested for a DUI on their own time need to worry about it affecting the ..read more

The Swain Law Group specializes in defending homicide charges across Oklahoma, including in the Oklahoma Panhandle.  With a history of success handling Murder and Manslaughter cases in Oklahoma, the Swain Law Group is prepared to tackle even the most difficult cases. With 12 attorneys, 7 of which handle criminal cases, the Swain Law Group is Oklahoma’s largest criminal defense firm.  As far as experience handling homicide cases, attorney Dan Pond has handled close to 50 Murder cases in his career, both as a prosecutor and a defense attorney. While Murder and Manslaughter charges in G ..read more

Police officers who initiate a traffic stop because they have reasonable suspicion that the driver is impaired have a few options to determine whether that’s the case. One method of impairment detection that is frequently employed involves conducting field sobriety tests. A field sobriety test requires a driver to engage specific actions that might not be straightforward if the person is impaired. It’s important to note that these tests are voluntary, but officers might state their request in a way that makes it seem like they’re compulsory. Standardized versus non-standardized field sobriety ..read more

If you face an accusation of committing a crime at a casino operated by a Native American tribe, you may find yourself facing charges in tribal court. A tribal court has jurisdiction when crimes occur on tribal land. Understanding how tribal courts operate and what to expect can help you navigate the legal process effectively. The basics of tribal court Tribal courts are judicial bodies that Native American tribes created to handle legal matters that occur within their jurisdictions. These courts have the authority to hear cases involving tribal members as well as non-members when crimes occur ..read more

People are often dismissive about the mistakes that college students make. When a young adult gets arrested for underage drinking or drug possession, people might roll their eyes and joke about learning through experience. On the flip side, a parent may be so dismayed at a student’s wrongdoing that they vow to withhold help in an attempt to help them “learn the hard way.” There is often an assumption that the legal system should treat college students and other young adults with a degree of lenience when they make a mistake. However, many college students discover that the exact opposite is of ..read more

There are many reasons that an Oklahoma police officer might suspect someone of drunk driving. Sometimes, a driver swerves all over the road or drives at a low speed. Those specific behaviors have a known association with drunk driving. Other times, officers become suspicious after conducting a traffic stop for a completely unrelated reason or when responding to a motor vehicle collision. When a police officer believes that someone is under the influence of alcohol, they may begin attempting to gather evidence that can confirm those suspicions. Drivers in Oklahoma may face requests to exit the ..read more

Those accused of criminal conduct in Oklahoma often respond improperly to their charges. The fear of prosecution and bad publicity may push some people to enter a guilty plea when facing criminal charges. They think that by taking accountability for prior conduct, they can minimize the consequences of the charges that they face. The fear of the worst-case outcome is part of the reason why almost all federal defendants and a large portion of state defendants plead guilty to the charges they face, sometimes even while still maintaining their innocence. It is certainly true that people resolve cr ..read more