Criminal Law Newsletters

Severance of Offenses and Defendants

If any of the defendants would be prejudiced by a joinder of defendants or offenses then the defendants may file a motion for severance. A motion for severance may be filed with respect to the defendants and/or the offenses charged in the indictments. It is within the trial court's discretion to grant or deny the motion for severance.

Defendants and Sentencing with Respect to Convictions of Violating Environmental Statutes

There are three types of defendants that may be charged in a case involving a violation of an environmental statute. The three types of defendants include corporations, corporate officers and individuals.

SCHOOL SEARCHES

The basic requirement for a search of a student is the reasonableness of the search. If the school officials have a reasonable belief that the search will produce evidence that the student has violated any rules of the school, the officials may search the student.

BIGAMY

A person commits the offense of bigamy when he or she is legally married and when he or she marries or purports to marry another person, who is not his or her spouse. A person also commits the offense of bigamy when he or she is not legally married and when he or she marries or purports to marry another person who is legally married.

Criminal Liability For Violating the Clean Air Act

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established national air quality standards with respect to certain air pollutants. The Clean Air Act requires that states develop a plan that: implements the EPA standards, maintains the standards developed by the EPA and enforces the standards under the EPA.