Rebecca Pirius
Attorney · Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Delaying or Getting a Continuance in a Criminal Case
If you're the defendant in a criminal case, how do you ask the judge for extra time to find an attorney, hire a witness, or prepare for a hearing or trial? Learn what reasons may justify getting the judge to push back a court date and how a defendant makes this request. ... READ MORE
How to Post Bail and Get Out of Jail: What You Need to Know
If you get arrested for committing a crime, you’re innocent until proven guilty—right? Well, it might not feel that way if you’re sitting in jail. If you want to get out jail while awaiting trial, you’ll typically need to post bail or convince a judge to cut you loose without bail. ... READ MORE
Criminal Discovery: The Right to Evidence Disclosure
The defense is entitled to know about the prosecution’s case before trial. Called "criminal discovery," both sides must share certain information in an effort to conduct a fair trial. ... READ MORE
The Parole Process: An Early Release From Prison
Parole isn't exactly a "get out of jail free" card. But even with conditions, it beats remaining inside. ... READ MORE
Correcting, Modifying, or Reducing a Criminal Sentence
Under the basics of motions for criminal sentence reductions, corrections, and modifications. ... READ MORE
What Happens When Kids Get Arrested: Detaining Juveniles and Alternatives
Children under the age of 18 (juveniles) often have a very different experience with law enforcement than do adults. While a few hand-and-fast rules govern the nature of these interactions, for the most part, law enforcement enjoys significant discretion. The discussion below touches on some of the issues ... READ MORE
What Is an Acquittal?
An acquittal means a judge or jury has determined that the prosecutor didn’t prove its case against a criminal defendant. A not-guilty verdict is one type of acquittal. ... READ MORE
Can Police Stop Me for Any Reason?
Police usually need a reason to stop or detain you—but not always. Understand your rights when stopped by police and why your handling of the situation can be key to the outcome. ... READ MORE
Can I Resist an Unlawful Arrest?
Some states recognize a limited right to resist an unlawful arrest; others do not. A person who resists an arrest could end up facing criminal penalties or, worse, being seriously hurt. ... READ MORE
What Is a Preliminary Hearing?
The purpose of the preliminary hearing is to protect defendants from defending against unfounded (bogus) charges. Learn how prelims work and what information a defendant can gain. ... READ MORE