What are the Federal Rules of Evidence?

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Resources

The outcome of a case ultimately boils down to the strength of the evidence presented. This statement sums up why evidence is so important in civil and criminal trials. It is the only way a judge in a bench trial or jury can establish a defendant’s liability or guilt. The Federal Rules of Evidence were established to govern the way ...
Georgia’s New Voting Law

What Is Georgia’s New Voting Law?

Legal AssistantCivil Rights, Constitutional Law

On March 25, 2021, Georgia State governor Brian Kemp signed the Election Integrity Act of 2021 into law. The Act, which was originally referred to as Georgia Senate Bill 202, makes several controversial changes on how voting will be conducted in the southern state. Proponents of the Republican legislation cite the changes necessary to safeguard future elections in the state …

What Is a Hate Crime

What Is a Hate Crime?

Legal AssistantCivil Rights, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law

Vandalizing a synagogue with swastika graffiti. Burglarizing an Asian-owned oriental corner store. Burning a cross in the front yard of an African-American family’s home. Physically assaulting a person while hurling racial slurs. These are all clear-cut hate crime examples. They target individuals based on characteristics related to their ethnicity, race, or religion. The country has witnessed a spike in the …

Hiring a Private Investigator

Can You Sue Someone for Hiring a Private Investigator?

Legal AssistantConstitutional Law, Criminal Law

Corporate representatives, individuals, and even attorneys hire private investigators for several reasons. Some of these may include uncovering insurance fraud, relationship infidelity, or hidden assets that may be crucial to a case. Make no mistake about it, though. Hiring a PI does not fall within the realm of “normal.” While most people can appreciate the circumstances under which the services …

Facebook Lawsuit

Facebook Lawsuit – A New Precedent in Privacy Laws

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Business Law, Constitutional Law, Consumer Law, Regulatory Law, Resources

On February 26, 2021, Facebook was ordered to pay $650 million for violating Illinois State privacy laws. More than 1.6 million state residents are expected to receive at least $345 each in a ruling made at a California federal court in the settlement. The cumulative settlement amount was $100 million more than what Facebook had initially proposed in 2020. According …

Is Secession Legal

Is Secession Legal?

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Constitutional Law

Every few months, the Texas secession issue always seems to crop up. With renewed “Texit” calls, some of the questions on people’s minds are – Is secession legal? Can Texas secede from the United States? Why would a state want to secede anyway? Many political analysts and legal scholars believe that secession threats should not be taken literally. According to …

Where Does Stimulus Money Come From

Where Does Stimulus Money Come From?

Legal AssistantBusiness Law, Constitutional Law

A few weeks ago, President Trump signed the $900 billion stimulus funding legislation into law. This effectively circumvented a looming government shutdown after demanding critical changes to the sprawling package. The money was channeled towards providing enhanced federal unemployment benefits, extending financial aid to struggling households in the form of stimulus checks, and providing funding for childcare, schools, small businesses, …

Can a President Pardon Anyone

Can a President Pardon Anyone?

Legal AssistantConstitutional Law

A pardon is a government decision that allows an individual to be exempt from the legal consequences resulting from a criminal conviction. The power to grant a pardon, which is an inherent right of the people, is vested in whomever they choose. State constitutions usually stipulate where that pardoning power lies. The pardoning power for a federal crime, on the …

Government Shutdown

What Is a Government Shutdown and What Happens?

Legal AssistantAdministrative Law, Constitutional Law

2018 witnessed the longest-ever government shutdown when President Trump demanded more than $5 billion to fund the construction of a US-Mexico border wall. In the standoff, Democrats refused to play ball, stating that they wouldn’t allocate any additional funds for it. Recently, Trump threatened yet another government shutdown after expressing his displeasure with the pandemic relief bill and the $2.3 …