Criminal Defense
Charged with a crime, or worried you might be? Plain-English guides to defending yourself — DUI and DWI defense, your rights as the accused, how criminal defenses and motions work, serious charges and how they are fought, and appeals after a conviction. Criminal law and penalties vary by state, so always confirm the rules where your case is.
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100 guides on DUI defense, your rights as the accused, charges, and appeals across 5 topics.
DUI & DWI Defense
Arrested for driving under the influence? What DUI and DWI mean, field sobriety and breath tests, refusing a test, penalties by offense, license suspension, and the common ways a DUI is fought.
26 guides →Building Your Defense
Your rights as the accused and how a defense is built: what to do if arrested, common defenses, motions to suppress and dismiss, plea vs.
26 guides →Serious Charges & Defenses
Serious charges and how they are defended: drug distribution, weapons, theft and burglary, fraud and white-collar, homicide, conspiracy, and federal vs.
28 guides →Appeals & Post-Conviction
After a conviction: how criminal appeals work, withdrawing a guilty plea, post-conviction relief, new-trial motions, ineffective-assistance claims, habeas corpus, and overturning a wrongful conviction.
8 guides →Consequences of a Conviction
The fallout beyond the sentence: how a criminal charge or conviction can affect immigration status, jobs, professional licenses, housing, financial aid, custody, travel, and security clearances.
12 guides →Latest criminal defense guides
- Arson Charges Explained
Arson charges explained: degrees, insurance-fraud arson, how cause-and-origin expert evidence works, and how a defense lawyer challenges it.
- Jury Selection and Your Right to a Fair Jury
How jury selection works: voir dire, cause challenges, peremptory strikes, and why Batson bars race or sex discrimination in picking your jury.
- Wrongful Convictions and How They Get Overturned
How wrongful convictions happen and the real legal paths to overturn them: DNA testing, innocence projects, conviction integrity units, and habeas corpus.
- Should You Testify in Your Own Defense?
Whether to testify is entirely your choice: the Fifth Amendment right not to, why silence can't be held against you, and the real pros and cons.
- DUI Penalties: First, Second, and Third Offense
How DUI penalties escalate by offense number, what lookback periods mean, and when a DUI becomes a felony. General info, not legal advice.
- How a Conviction Affects Housing
How a criminal conviction can affect renting: private landlord screening, federal public-housing rules, and steps to improve your chances.