Theft offenses ranging from burglary and robbery to shoplifting are among the most common crimes prosecuted in Idaho. State prosecutors bring charges against those accused of fraud or theft from retail establishments. The penalties possible include fines and orders of...
The phrase “assault and battery” is so often repeated (especially on television) that most people think it’s one crime rolled together – but that isn’t how things work in Idaho. Assault and battery are actually two different crimes. Understanding the difference can...
Getting arrested for a drug offense can be an embarrassing and stressful experience. People worry about the public spectacle of a trial and the penalties a judge might impose. A criminal charge can change someone's life for the worse. It can also potentially be an...
One of the reasons that Idaho police officers pull people over is suspicion of intoxication. Someone who has alcohol before driving is at elevated risk on the road. Police officers may arrest anyone who they believe made the intentional decision to drive while drunk....
When someone is interacting with the police, they have some basic rights that are often known as their Miranda Rights. One of these is the right to remain silent, meaning they don’t have to say anything that would incriminate themselves or be used against them....
If an arrest is made and the police intend to interrogate a suspect, then it’s the responsibility of the police to read out the person’s Miranda rights. Miranda rights include the following: The right to remain silent. Anything said can be used against a suspect in a...
The state of Idaho takes the Second Amendment right to bear arms very seriously. The state is classified as an open carry state. Gun ownership is seen as a way of life in Idaho. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean that firearms offenses don’t exist in law and the state...
Law enforcement and prosecution services have numerous powers at their disposal when investigating and prosecuting criminal cases. Nonetheless, these powers must not override fundamental constitutional rights of U.S. citizens. This is a balancing act and it is one...
The majority of criminal cases do not go to trial. They are resolved through plea deals, whereby the defendant pleads guilty or no contest in exchange for concessions from the prosecution like a reduced sentence or dropping some charges. If you are facing criminal...
There are many cases in which young people are accused of criminal wrongdoing and their parents are shocked. They say that it doesn’t sound like something their child would ever do. And this may be true. The child is acting in a way that doesn’t fit with their normal...
