Last week, we covered when you should and should not call 911. For problems like a loud neighbor, non life-threatening medical symptoms, power outages, vandalism, or public intoxication, DO NOT call 911. As responsible citizens, we can bear the responsibility of resolving some issues ourselves. For other problems, we can call our local police department [...]

According to 911.gov, the number became the official Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in 1968. Two years prior, the National Academy of Sciences published "Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society," a report demonstrating how accidental deaths and injuries had become an epidemic in the United States. By contrast, nowadays people call [...]

For our final installment in our series on landmark criminal cases in United States history, we're taking a look at Dusky vs. United States (1960). You might have heard the phrase "competent to stand trial" quickly mentioned in court dramas like Law & Order. What does this phrase mean? When does it apply? How might [...]

If you've been following our blog for some time, you may have noticed that there are times when certain rights apply, and other times when they do not. At least according to the law. For example, we all have freedom of speech, but that isn't absolute. You can't threaten to kill someone. Thus, the same [...]

In the past, seeing someone meant you had to physically be in their presence. Robbing a bank required actually going to a bank. Tracing someone's travel patterns involved literally following them. But not anymore. As technology continues to advance, it often takes several years for the law to catch up. The landmark case of Riley [...]

In order for the police to search your home, they need a search warrant from a judge. If the police search your home without one, then they have broken the law and anything they find will not be admissible evidence in court. But what about your car? Can they search your car without a warrant? [...]

So far in our series on landmark criminal cases in U.S. history, we've covered Miranda vs. Arizona and Gideon vs. Wainright. Each of these are related to your rights under the Fourth Amendment. But for our third installment, we're reviewing Kennedy vs. Louisiana (2008). This was a vital Eighth Amendment case that specifically dealt with [...]

If you can't afford a defense attorney, do you have the right to get legal counsel for free? Where does this right come from? In our second installment for our series on landmark cases, we're taking a look at Gideon v. Wainright (1963). Just like last week's post, this case also involves the rights of [...]

This week here at Catanzaro Law, we are starting yet another new series of articles. This time we're going to review landmark criminal trials in United States history. As you may know, the concept of legal precedent remains hugely influential in court decisions to this day. So, it's vital to know some legal history in [...]