What Happens at a Trial?
How long a trial lasts differs from trial to trial. However, all trials follow this process: Jury selection (if a jury is involved), opening statements, the plaintiff’s proof, direct examination, cross examination, the defendant’s proof, closing statements, jury instruction (if a jury is involved), and the jury’s verdict or the judge’s ruling. Unless a trial…
Read MoreCommon Defenses in Drug Possession Cases
If you are charged with drug possession, the government has the burden of proving you were in possession of drugs beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant does not have to prove he/she was not in possession of the illegal drugs. Anyone charged with possession of illegal narcotics has the right to hold the government to…
Read MoreCredible Fear vs. Reasonable Fear in Asylum Immigration Cases
According to the American Immigration Council, non-citizens who are either discovered by, or appear before, a U.S. official “at a port of entry or near the border can be deported quickly in an ‘expedited removal’ process.” The United States is required to comply with domestic and international laws which gives asylum seekers the right to…
Read MoreRead Documents before You Sign Them
Oral agreements may work in some situations – often more informal situations – and may have worked in the past, but you should read written documents you receive from the other party before you sign them. You also should understand the agreement that you are entering before you sign written documents. Written documents always are…
Read MoreThe Right of Defendants to Confront Witnesses
The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides rights for those accused of a crime. These rights include the right of the accused “to be confronted with the witnesses against him…” This part of the Amendment is known at the “confrontation” clause. It generally means that someone accused of a crime can cross-examine any of…
Read MoreShow Up for Court
In Tennessee, General Sessions Court is the small claims court. General Sessions Courts hear civil cases and are usually the first court where a criminal defendant appears. A civil case is a lawsuit about money, evictions, and the like. A criminal case can lead to jail time or fines. There is a General Sessions Court…
Read MoreSex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
The terms “sex-based discrimination” and “sexual harassment” carry legal significance. Sex discrimination occurs when one or more people are discriminated against on the basis of sex or gender. Examples of sex discrimination include men and women working under different conditions, earning unequal pay, and facing different hiring and promotion requirements. Sexual harassment occurs when one…
Read MoreIf Immigration Authorities Come Knocking, You Have Rights
Undocumented workers encounter numerous challenges on a day-to-day basis. Many times they face the fear of losing their livelihood and worse – separation from their families. The difficult process of not knowing what to do in the face of potential detection by immigration authorities hangs over their heads. Understand, even if you are not a…
Read MoreTips for Buying a Used Vehicle
Motorized vehicles are extremely important in the United States; we rely on them as transportation to work, to school, to church, to the grocery store, and more. Nevertheless, not everyone can afford or chooses to purchase a brand new vehicle. As a result, some people turn to buying a used car, truck, or SUV. Buying…
Read MoreTips for Buying or Leasing a New Vehicle
Passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs are the principal mode of transportation in Tennessee and throughout the United States. People generally own or lease the vehicles they drive. They purchase or lease their vehicles as either brand new or used. Buying or leasing a passenger vehicle is a major expense for most people. Thus, before buying…
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