Dan Carman

Appeals are a vital part of our judicial system. They allow defendants the chance to right the wrongs of decisions that they feel might have been unfair for any number of reasons. In addition to appealing a decision or verdict, a defendant can also appeal the sentence they have been given, with the goal of lessening the penalties levied against them. Appealing a sentence can be complicated. The process often requires investigating and determining the legality of the sentence, or the …

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Our local, state and federal governments have many ways that they can punish people for a crime. The most obvious, and maybe the most feared, is imprisonment. But many Americans found guilty of committing a crime never go to jail or do time for what they’ve done. They often pay a fine, a sometimes very steep financial penalty levied by the authorities. In some cases, fines are levied against people who are also serving time for a crime. In this sense, crime does pay, often quite dearly. …

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What do bowls, balloons and blenders all have in common? If you were to guess that they are things you might find at birthday party or that they are words that start with a “B,” you wouldn’t be wrong. These are logical connections to make. But these common products have one very different quality in common – they, along with many other commonly used items, can be considered drug paraphernalia in Kentucky. Possession of illegal drugs is a crime and is often dealt with severely in our …

[Read more...] about What is Considered Drug Paraphernalia in Kentucky? The Answers Might Surprise You…

The Sixth Amendment sets forth our right to a speedy trial. A timely trial is supposed to be a fundamental part of our judicial system, yet, as many people who have been accused of a crime know all too well, a “speedy” trial can sometimes take a very long time. When accused of a crime, a person has the right to make what is called a speedy trial demand to ensure that the matter is resolved as quickly as possible. Each case is different, and determining whether you should file a motion to …

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Parents always want the best for their children. No parent is perfect, but almost every mother and father hope against hope that they have raised their kids to become good people. One of the worst fears a parent can have is that their child will enter a life of crime. Whether you are a concerned parent, teacher or relative, it is important to know how a child can become susceptible to crime, especially violent ones. Knowing how to identify these risks might help us avoid them altogether and …

[Read more...] about What Factors Contribute to a Life of Crime?