If you are going to court in Louisiana, you will usually have a choice between a jury trial and a bench trial. According to the American Bar Association, a jury trial is where your case is decided by a jury of your peers. A bench trial is where the judge decides the...
Criminal Defense
An expungement will give you a new lease on life
If you have a criminal arrest or conviction on your record, it will impact your future and the goals you have set for yourself. However, you may be eligible to have your criminal record expunged. If so, you can go on with your life as though your brush with the law...
What is a hung jury?
The basic workings of a Louisiana jury trial are generally well known. A jury is chosen, hears the arguments presented in court, and once the arguments are concluded, the jury is sent off to consider a verdict. Sometimes the verdict is decided in a single day. If...
What to do if your teen is caught with drugs
If you receive the news that your teenage child is using illegal drugs, you are probably feeling a flurry of emotions. It is normal to feel anger, confusion and even shame when your kid has a drug abuse problem. This can be a scary time in your life, but it is...
What is the difference between probation and parole?
When it comes to criminal charges and penalties in Louisiana, many people are confused by certain terms. Two terms that are common to misunderstand are probation and parole. If you or someone you care about is having legal trouble, you may come across both terms. It...
What happens when you violate probation or parole in Louisiana?
Criminal convictions can lead to lifelong consequences in employment, housing and family relationships due to a criminal record and prison time. The judicial system, however, provides ways to lessen these negative effects. Two of these opportunities are probation and...
What is a plea bargain?
If you are facing a criminal charge in Lousiana, you may hear about something called plea bargaining. Most criminal cases involve this step in the legal proceedings. Understanding what it is and how it works can be quite beneficial to you and the final outcome of your...
How is a jury chosen?
One important aspect of criminal cases in Louisiana is your right to a jury trial. This means a group of people from your area who have no special legal training or knowledge will decide if you are guilty. When you decide to have a jury trial, the process to select...
The facts about Louisiana expungements
Everyone makes mistakes in life, and sometimes those mistakes can hinder personal growth. In the case of criminal charges, a record expungement can remove that mistake from public record and allow you to strive to live a regular, productive life. This process may vary...
What does it mean to plead the 5th?
If you are facing criminal charges, you may wonder if you can plead the fifth. You have probably heard about pleading the fifth a lot. It is commonly used in the movies and in television shows. It refers to the fifth amendment of the constitution. The very basic...