Consider the birth of sex offender registry laws, at least how we know them today. Do you think that the laws were written in the 1950s or 60s? Do you think that the people who wrote them did it as a social realization, or in response to a specific case? And do you...
4 people charged in raid in West Virginia
Four people were taken into custody after West Virginia police issued search warrants at multiple locations on Nov. 6. The arrests were the result of two police departments collaborating over a month-long investigation. The Ceredo Drug Unit and other authorities...
You say you’re innocent; the parole board says you lack remorse
If you're not intimately familiar with the criminal justice system, it might surprise you to learn that parole is often denied to people who continue to insist upon their innocence. One of the issues commonly considered in parole hearings is whether the person has...
Michael Phelps’ DUI trial postponed while he seeks help
This week it was reported that the DUI trial involving Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps has been pushed back until mid-December. Phelps was arrested and charged with his second drunk driving arrest on September 30 after allegedly driving 84 mph in a 45 mph zone....
What is a plea bargain and how does a defendant benefit from it?
Criminal cases in West Virginia do not always go to trial, and many cases are resolved when both sides agree on a plea bargain. Plea bargaining refers to the negotiation process used when either side proposes a potential resolution to a case. When a plea bargain...