Newsletters

RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS

Being a victim of a crime is a frightening experience. Until fairly recently, crime victims had no rights and did not have access to any federal, state, or local services to help them through the experience. In most states, there are now many services and resources that are available to crime victims.

DISPENSING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

practitioner commits a criminal offense if he or she unlawfully dispenses a controlled substance. A practitioner is a physician, a dentist, a veterinarian, a pharmacist, or any other person who is permitted to use controlled substances in his or her profession. Dispensing is the transfer or delivery of a controlled substance by a practitioner.

WARRANTLESS SEARCH - SEARCH IN AN INVESTIGATIVE STOP

If a police officer has a reasonable basis for believing that a person is involved in criminal activity or is about to be involved in criminal activity, the officer has a right to make an investigative stop of that person.

ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE & MISUSE OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION

A public servant commits the offense of abuse of public office when he or she intentionally or knowingly and with the intent to obtain a personal benefit violates a law regarding his or her office or misuses government property, services, personnel, or anything of value, which has come into his or her possession by virtue of his or her office or employment. The word "misuse" means to deal with property contrary to any agreement, any contract, or any law.

MISTAKE OF FACT AS A DEFENSE

The defense of mistake of fact is used when a defendant is accused of committing a particular crime and the defendant admits that he or she committed another crime, which other crime is different from the particular crime and is not a lesser-included offense of the particular crime. The defense is based on the defendant's belief that he or she was committing another crime, which crime is less serious than the crime with which the defendant is charged.