Generally speaking, unless you tell the police they can come into your home and conduct a search, they have to get a warrant. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that a single warrant means they can just do as they please. The truth is that the warrant may...
Selling gift cards could lead to money laundering charges
Gift cards are incredibly popular. They can let someone make a purchase without alerting their spouse, making it easier to arrange for a surprise birthday present. They make convenient and exciting holiday and birthday presents for people of all ages. Even school-aged...
Does a criminal conviction affect my ability to secure a job?
It can be difficult for anyone to gain employment. It's particularly challenging if you have a criminal record, though. Your convictions never disappear off your permanent record, as happens with a bankruptcy here in the United States. Any conviction is instead...
Why is insider trading illegal?
Insider trading is illegal. You’ve likely heard stories of even very famous individuals getting caught and jailed due to this practice. The issue is that it may feel like what you’re doing is fine and within-bounds until the authorities come knocking. How insider...
What does South Carolina law consider drug paraphernalia?
Believe it or not, you do not have to possess any drugs to face a drug charge. The police could press charges based solely on some of the things you have lying about your house if they consider they are drug paraphernalia. What does South Carolina law say? South...
Racial bias continues to impact people in the U.S. justice system
In the past, and sometimes even today, racial injustices have an impact on the justice system and the people who are caught up in it. In 2009, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Racial Justice Act, or RJA, which allowed prisoners who were on death row to...
Medical professionals, not patients, commit most insurance fraud
As an employee in a medical office, you are probably always on the lookout for fraud. You want to make sure that people give accurate information about themselves and their insurance policy. You may be so busy scrutinizing the behavior of clients that you never...
Clemency requests: How they’re handled in South Carolina
Sometimes, the criminal justice system makes a mistake: The wrong person gets convicted or a sentence is simply unfair. When that happens, it's important to look for ways to find post-conviction relief, including clemency or a pardon. In South Carolina, the governor...
How long can the authorities detect drug use? It depends.
The impact that a drug has on you may only last for a few hours. For example, many edible marijuana products take about two hours to start working and then simply make you feel high for a few hours after that. It’s longer than alcohol, but it may fade the same day or,...
Are 1% of people in prison actually innocent?
If you go to a prison and ask people whether they’re innocent, many will tell you that they are. While a cynical person may roll their eyes and assume that everyone is lying, you may ask yourself a deeper and more meaningful question: How many of those people are...