Every state has its own laws defining how an assault is classified. For example, some states call more serious forms of assault “aggravated assault.” Aggravated assault is often used to describe assault with a deadly weapon. However, in Kentucky, “assault” is broken into four degrees. Each degree carries with it different types of punishment. Degrees of Assault in Kentucky Assault in the First Degree - First-degree assault is a Class B felony in Kentucky. It occurs when a person uses a …
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Criminal Defense: A Dangerous Profession?
When we think of the most dangerous jobs in the country, we typically think of occupations that are associated with high rates of workplace injuries, such as construction workers or truck drivers, or jobs that inherently put workers in the line of fire, such as soldiers or police officers. But we rarely think of an attorney as being someone who is in harm’s way because of his or her job. To picture a lawyer in imminent danger because of a disgruntled client or because of retaliation for …
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Why Drug Courts Are Essential To Addressing Kentucky’s Drug Epidemic
Our perceptions of drug addiction are shifting in the United States. We are finally starting to ask if the way that we treat those with drug addiction is really the best way to address our current drug epidemic. Despite its growing drug problem, Kentucky has been slightly slower than many other states in keeping up with this evolution. But there are signs that we are heading in the right direction, specifically in regard to our use of drug courts. However, for those facing drug charges in …
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Pleading Guilty and Not Guilty in Kentucky
You see it all the time in courtroom dramas and movies. A defendant stands up and is asked how he will plead. The defendant says, “Not guilty, your honor,” and everyone in the courtroom gasps in surprise. The truth is that pleading guilty or not guilty is very rarely as dramatic an event as it is portrayed on the big screen. However, the consequences of a plea are very significant -- not only to the proceedings that follow, but also to the outcome for the defendant. Contrary to popular belief, …
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What Are The Differences Between a Felony, a Misdemeanor and a Violation?
It might seem surprising how many people misunderstand the laws that have a major impact on their day-to-day lives but, in many ways, it makes perfect sense. After all, if you have never had a reason to learn the details of a given law and the possible punishments for breaking that law, then why would you know much about it? Most people don’t know the classifications of different laws simply because they’ve had little to no interaction with them. However, by not having a general understanding …
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