Criminal Law, myths and truths

This site is dedicated to the real world of criminal law, not just theory, but how criminal law really works in the every day world. It will explore and discuss urban myths and legends about criminal law in an easy to understand format. While we will discuss criminal law in some case law, each post will try to relate that case to a real world situation that might actually happen. I will try to relate some trial experiences of myself and others that are close friends to explain how criminal law works in the trial setting. Much of the simple format that I explain criminal law in was taught to me by one of the best civil lawyers I have ever met. Quite to the point I learned from him, nobody really likes lawyers, and if you speak like a lawyer, (like we learned in law school), your chances of conveying your message to others is very low.

There are many urban myths about criminal law, this site will touch on many of them. Some quick notes will be things you often hear like, "you get more time for having pot than you do murder", "if you shoot a prowler outside your house, drag him inside the home", "I shot him below the waist, that can't be attempted first degree murder", and "I have a Tennessee Concealed Weapons Permit", no, there is no such thing, it is a Tennessee Handgun Carry Permit". I have always been fascinated by these myths, and I would like to explain and discuss how some might be true, and others are just not true at all.

The myths and rumors of criminal law is what drove me to law school, (as I came from a blue collar background and we had no family lawyer) I actually wanted to know, is that really true, and what does the Constitution of The United States really mean to me, and my day to day life. Having been taught by some professors who were students of now sitting Supreme Court Justices I learned in legalize, while this is good for law school, it is not good to speak this way with jurors and society at large, it does not explain how the law really applies to everyday life. Speaking in the terms of pre-textual stops, does not really explain the question of, "can they pull me over for having a tail light out, i know they really wanted to ask me about drugs".

This site may include from time to time civil case law, as well as political commentary, after all the most important way to protect your rights as a United States Citizen is to exercise your right to VOTE.

I hope you enjoy this site, and it proves useful to you.