Criminal Law

Don’t assume that failing a breath test means you are definitely going to be convicted on drunk driving charges. Some people do make this assumption, and it can cause a lot of problems. The breath test absolutely does not guarantee a conviction, as the test itself can...

Over the last few decades, analysis of DNA evidence has led to overturned criminal convictions. There have been hundreds of these cases. The DNA evidence shows that the person who was convicted wasn’t actually the one who committed the crime. They may already have...

For the police to arrest and charge a driver for drunk driving, they need probable cause to prove that the driver is violating traffic laws. To do this, the police can gather evidence. For example, if the police notice an open alcohol bottle in a car, that may be...

Every individual has a different personal limit for alcohol consumption. Some people can enjoy multiple drinks because of a heavy overall body weight, a fast metabolism and a relatively high alcohol tolerance. Others may need to wait a few hours to drive home after...

If someone is suspected of drunk driving, the police may perform a traffic stop. The police can use several tactics to investigate a driver of inebriation, typically starting with questions. Officers can also use field sobriety tests to investigate drivers. These...

Since Hawaii is considered a liberal state, many residents and visitors assume they can possess and use cannabis without consequence. Although the state does not have extremely harsh marijuana laws, the substance is not entirely legal. Users of the drug should realize...

For teenagers, obtaining a driver's license is often a rite of passage that marks their proximity to adulthood. For adults, having a driver's license is often a basic requirement of everyday life. There are many employers who expect new hires to have their own...

If a person feels threatened in some way, they might issue a restraining order. A restraining order — sometimes called an order of protection or protective order — is a tool that victims use to protect themselves from perpetrators. It orders abusers to stay away from...

Many people who maintain that they are innocent of criminal wrongdoing ultimately plead guilty to criminal charges. They believe they didn't do anything illegal, but they also convince themselves that they would never be able to win a criminal trial. Some people fall...

People react differently during DUI traffic stops. Some comply with the officer’s instructions and do not assert their rights. Others become agitated or angry, especially when they feel the stop was unwarranted. It is natural to feel upset if the police waste your...