Rebecca Pirius
Attorney · Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Release From Jail on One’s Own Recognizance: What It Means to Get "OR"
Getting released on your own recognizance is great because it’s free. But you might have to spend a little more time in jail to get it. Learn what O.R. release means and whether it's a good deal. ... READ MORE
Can I Move If I'm on Probation?
Probationers can move in some situations; in others, they can't. ... READ MORE
Gag Orders: Balancing Free Speech and Fair Trials
Judges in criminal cases often issue gag orders to control publicity and protect the right to a fair trial by prohibiting parties or their lawyers from speaking publicly about the case. But some gag orders violate free speech rights. ... READ MORE
Motion for Mistrial in a Criminal Case
Halting a criminal trial before its completion is a drastic but sometimes necessary call. Learn what circumstances may necessitate a mistrial. ... READ MORE
Sharing a Criminal Lawyer: Co-Defendants
Learn why it’s risky to share a defense lawyer with another defendant charged with the same crime—and how you can object if the court appoints one attorney to represent both of you. ... READ MORE
Why Appeals in Death Penalty Cases Take So Long
Appealing any criminal conviction can take years. Add to that a publicly paid (but underpaid) lawyer and the inability to correct matters if a defendant is executed by mistake, and you’ve got a long, long road ahead. ... READ MORE
Search Warrants: How They Work and When Officers Need Them
Ever wonder what a search warrant is, when officers need one, or what happens when they carry one out? ... READ MORE
Animal Cruelty Laws in Michigan
It’s illegal in Michigan to abuse, abandon, neglect, or mistreat animals—or to threaten to torture or kill a pet as a way to terrorize or control another person. ... READ MORE
Animal Cruelty Laws in Iowa
Learn about the criminal penalties and other consequences in Iowa for abusing, neglecting, or torturing animals. ... READ MORE
What Are Criminal Indictments?
An indictment comes from a grand jury—it’s a way to prosecute someone. But what sets it apart from typical criminal proceedings? ... READ MORE