Crime Basics

Over 15 million properties in the United States are currently vacant, creating a legal conundrum that leaves many wondering: is it illegal to trespass...

Over 1 million arrest warrants are issued annually in the United States alone. This legal instrument plays a crucial role in the criminal justice...

Every year, millions of people unknowingly commit crimes, not out of malice, but simply because they're unaware of obscure or overly strict local laws....

Over 1 million arrests take place in the UK each year, marking the beginning of a complex legal process. The journey through the criminal...

In the UK, an estimated 300,000 knife-enabled crimes occur annually, prompting stringent regulations on knife carry. The law stipulates a maximum blade length of...

Hate crimes have surged by nearly 20% in the past five years, according to the FBI's latest report. This alarming trend underscores the urgent...

Words can wound as deeply as weapons. In many jurisdictions, verbal abuse crosses the line from mere insult to criminal offense. The consequences can...

Every year, law enforcement officers make countless decisions about whether to press charges, shaping the course of the criminal justice system. These choices hinge...

Over 5.5 million crimes occur annually in the UK, painting a stark picture of the nation's criminal landscape. Theft reigns supreme, accounting for nearly...

Pepper spray is a popular self-defense tool, with millions of Americans carrying it daily. Yet, its legality varies widely across states, creating confusion for...

Criminal mischief charges account for a significant portion of property crime cases in the United States, with over 300,000 reported incidents annually. These charges...

Prank calls might seem like harmless fun, but in 15 states, they can land you in handcuffs. Laws have evolved to treat certain prank...

Ignoring a police summons is a decision that can snowball into serious legal consequences. In the U.S., failure to respond to a court summons...

Every day, countless individuals capture moments on their smartphones, cameras, and drones. Yet, many remain unaware of the legal boundaries surrounding public filming. The...

One in six women and one in 17 men have experienced stalking at some point in their lives, according to the National Intimate Partner...

Believe it or not, nearly 30% of criminal cases proceed without any eyewitness testimony. This statistic underscores a critical aspect of the legal system:...

Criminal obstruction of justice is a serious offense that undermines the integrity of the legal system. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, federal...

Three U.S. states have adopted an unusual legal stance on shoplifting: returning stolen items can serve as a valid defense in court. This approach,...

Arrest records linger in public view for extended periods, with many states maintaining them for up to seven years. This prolonged visibility can have...

Over 2.3 million people are currently behind bars in the United States, a stark reminder of the prevalence of criminal activity. With such statistics,...

Over 500 arrests were made in 2023 alone for threatening texts, a stark reminder of the serious consequences that can follow a single message....

Assault without injury is a serious criminal offense that affects millions of people each year. In the United States alone, the FBI reports over...

Every year, thousands of adventurers and urban explorers venture onto abandoned properties, drawn by the allure of decaying architecture and forgotten history. Yet, the...

Criminal conspiracy is a serious offense that can lead to severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences. In the United States alone, federal prosecutors have...

Every year, thousands of individuals face charges for crimes they attempted but did not complete. In the United States alone, attempted crimes account for...

Over 1.5 million drivers face DUI arrests annually in the United States. The immediate aftermath of a DUI arrest can be overwhelming, with legal...

Across the United States, nearly 1.5 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol in 2019. Yet, the penalties for refusing...

Vandalism costs the United States over $15 billion annually, a staggering figure that underscores the prevalence and impact of these destructive acts. From graffiti...

Every year, thousands of individuals find themselves on the wrong side of the law due to public altercations. In many jurisdictions, engaging in a...

Criminal recklessness accounts for a significant portion of felony cases, yet its definition often eludes public understanding. Unlike intentional crimes, criminal recklessness involves a...

Carrying a fake ID might seem like a harmless prank or a way to gain entry to age-restricted venues, but the consequences can be...

A criminal record can be a significant barrier to international travel, with over 180 countries potentially restricting entry to individuals with past convictions. The...

Every year, thousands of children fall victim to neglect, abuse, or exploitation, with many cases going unreported. Child endangerment is a serious criminal offense...

The U.S. Supreme Court has long upheld that police can lie during interrogation, a tactic known as "police deception." This practice, while controversial, is...

Every year, millions of individuals seek legal protection from threats, harassment, or violence. A critical tool in this fight for safety is the criminal...

Nearly every state in America has recognized the severity of online harassment, with 44 states enacting laws that criminalize it. This legislative response reflects...

Nearly 4.5 million individuals in the United States are on probation, a system designed to rehabilitate while maintaining public safety. Yet, violating those terms...

Over 1.5 million trespassing incidents occur annually in the United States, making it a common yet often misunderstood legal issue. Trespassing laws vary by...

Criminal contempt of court is a serious offense that can lead to severe penalties, including jail time. Recently, a judge imposed a 10-day jail...

Federal law explicitly prohibits the unauthorized opening of others' mail, with violations punishable by fines and imprisonment. The U.S. Postal Service reports thousands of...

Every two seconds, someone falls victim to identity theft in the United States. That's over 45,000 people per day, with criminals stealing personal data...

Credit card fraud has become a pervasive threat, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over 450,000 fraud cases in 2022 alone. This type of...

Noise complaints are no laughing matter. In some jurisdictions, persistent disturbances after multiple warnings can escalate to serious legal consequences. A recent case in...

Over 30,000 federal offenders receive mandatory minimum sentences each year, a stark reminder of the rigid sentencing laws that govern the U.S. justice system....

Eleven states have recently seen rulings from U.S. courts clarifying the legality of recording police officers. These decisions have sparked renewed debate and confusion...

Every year, thousands of criminal cases hinge on one critical factor: criminal intent. This legal concept, often referred to as mens rea in Latin,...

The legal consequences of making false accusations can be severe, potentially leading to defamation lawsuits and significant financial penalties. In the United States, defamation...

Over 700,000 people were arrested for public intoxication in the U.S. in 2019, according to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer. Many of these arrests...

Over 90% of federal criminal cases in the United States never go to trial. Instead, they are resolved through plea bargains, a process that...

Over 10,000 federal indictments are handed down annually in the United States, marking the beginning of a complex legal journey. These documents, far from...