Newsletters

VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER

A person commits the offense of voluntary manslaughter when he or she commits murder under the immediate influence of sudden passion that arises from an adequate cause. Sudden passion is also referred to as "heat of passion."

CONTEMPT

Contempt is defined as conduct that obstructs or tends to obstruct the proper administration of justice. Contempt also includes an act that constitutes disrespectful conduct towards a court. In order to constitute contempt, the act itself must be disrespectful. A person's intent or purpose is not relevant. The fact that the conduct may be irritating to the court does not constitute contempt.

Juvenile Proceedings

Juvenile proceedings are different from regular criminal proceedings because they are tailored toward juveniles, children under the age of 18. Every state has a different type of system set up to handle their juvenile matters. Some states have an actual juvenile court, other states place juvenile matters under the guise of the family or probate court. However, most courts that have jurisdiction to hear juvenile matters may transfer the case to a trial court when the offense charged is severe. The process of transferring a juvenile case is often referred to as waiving jurisdiction.

Wire Fraud

The federal Wire Fraud statute was enacted more than 50 years ago. The statute includes both domestic and foreign wire transmissions.

CONTINUANCES DURING TRIAL

A continuance is an adjournment or a postponement of a case. A continuance may be sought by either the prosecution or the defense in a criminal case. The continuance may be sought before a trial or during the trial.