Riccola Voigt
Attorney · Thomas Jefferson School of Law
DNA Collection Laws for Criminal Cases
Learn when the police can collect a person's DNA, how DNA samples and profiles are stored, and when you can have a DNA profile removed from government databases. ... READ MORE
Traffic Violation Points, Your Driving Record, and Defensive Driving Classes
Most states use traffic violation demerit point systems whereby a certain number of points are added to a motorist’s driving record for traffic infractions. ... READ MORE
DUI Trials: What to Expect
Although many DUI cases (also called “driving while intoxicated” or “DWI”) are resolved before trial through plea bargaining, DUI defendants generally have a constitutional right to a jury trial. Most defendants on trial for DUI have never been in court and the formal trial process may be intimidating. ... READ MORE
Constitutional Rights in Criminal Cases
The U.S. Constitution gives criminal suspects and defendants a number of important rights. These are designed to protect the innocent from being convicted. The Constitution provides minimum protections that each state must allow, but states can give their citizens additional rights. ... READ MORE
Probation and Parole: Conditions and Consequences of Violations
Probation and parole are both alternatives to incarceration, but they differ in timing and purpose. Learn about the similarities and differences between probation and parole. ... READ MORE
Breaking Plea Bargains or Agreements: Possible Remedies
Sometimes parties to a plea agreement don't hold up their end of the bargain. What happens when a defendant, prosecutor, or judge doesn't follow the terms of the plea deal? ... READ MORE
Are Criminal Trials Open to the Public?
The right to a public trial is protected by the First and Sixth Amendments to the United States Constitution. However, the right isn’t absolute and there are some circumstances justifying the closure of criminal proceedings. ... READ MORE
The Right to Counsel in Criminal Cases
Understanding the right to have an attorney, when that right begins, and how to invoke that right. ... READ MORE
Is It a Crime to Knowingly Transmit an STD?
Many states criminalize the knowing transmission or exposure of an STD to another. Informing your partner may be a defense. ... READ MORE
Defending Against a Speeding Ticket in Court
Speeding violations are one of the most common traffic citations issued and most drivers will be cited for speeding at some point in their lifetime. Whether a defense to a speeding violation applies depends on the law in your state and the circumstances of your case. ... READ MORE