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FINES & COSTS

When a defendant is convicted of a criminal offense, the defendant is usually required to pay fines and costs as part of his or her sentence. If the defendant has only been ordered to pay fines and costs, the defendant will be discharged from a judgment requiring fines and costs upon full payment of the fines and costs to the proper authorities. More...

RELEASE ON BAIL PENDING AN APPEAL

Whether a defendant is entitled to be released on bail pending his or her appeal depends upon the type of offense of which the defendant was convicted and the length of sentence that is imposed on the defendant. If the defendant is convicted of a misdemeanor, the defendant is generally entitled to reasonable bail pending his or her appeal. If the defendant is convicted of a felony, the length of the defendant's sentence generally determines whether the defendant is entitled to bail.More...

Hybrid Representation and the Standby Attorney

Hybrid representation is where the defendant serves as co-counsel with an attorney. The defendant does not have a constitutional right to hybrid representation. It is within the trial court's discretion to grant the defendant's request for hybrid representation.More...

Criminal Liability Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act

Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) a superfund was created which provides funds for the clean up of pre-existent hazardous waste sites. Although most of the litigation under CERCLA is civil in nature, criminal charges under CERCLA do exist. The potential criminal charges concern the reporting requirements for releases of hazardous substances.More...

ASSIMILATIVE CRIMES ACT

Although states are primarily responsible for prosecuting domestic violence cases, the federal government has enacted several laws that may be used by federal authorities to prosecute such cases. Those federal laws include the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), and statutes that prohibit interstate domestic violence and interstate violation of a protective order. More...