The Real Meaning of Your Miranda Rights
For most people, finishing the phrase: “You have the right to remain silent…” would probably be pretty easy. With all the movies, tv shows, and other forms of media that have circulated through the years, at least part of the Miranda Rights statement is considered common knowledge for practically anyone you run into. The hard part though is having a clear understanding of what these rights actually mean, or the reasons why they exist in…
How Spending Time in Jail Can Affect Your Children
Anyone who has been arrested, or booked into jail, knows how much of an impact this experience can have on their lives and daily routines. For adults who are caring for kids though, this type of situation can be even more nerve-wracking. All kinds of questions could arise, and it can extremely difficult to remain calm and handle the situation effectively. Fears such as “Who will take care of my child?” or “How fast can…
3 Things a Judge Considers When Deciding Bail
One of the primary reasons the bail system was established throughout America was to give people a way to continue living their normal lives while waiting for court proceedings to happen and for certain dates and times to arrive as part of the ongoing trial process. Instead of forcing people to stay confined to a stay jail cell while their case is processed, brought before a judge, and decided in court, bail has been designed…
Just How Terrible Are Houston’s Jails?
Harris County jails are not known for their cleanliness, safety, or quick processing time. Reports from these centers feature sexual assault, overcrowded conditions (referred to by inmates as “the tanks”), hot oven-like temperatures in the summer, and even death. Here are just a few of the sordid but true facts about the condition of Houston’s – specifically Harris County’s – jail system. Overcrowding Harris County jail is known for its overcrowding. The jails became so…
Why a Bail Bondsman is Better than your Best Friend
It’s the middle of the night, and the worst scenario you can imagine is slowly taking shape. Instead of being at home, or comfortably relaxing somewhere you feel safe, you’ve somehow ended up in jail. Aside from the frustration, you’re probably feeling, the burning question of how you can get released is one of the most important problems you’re stuck dealing with. In many situations, your options to get released from jail are limited, and…
“Don’t Be Afraid”: How to Explain an Arrest to Children
The saddest and most unfortunate situation for a child is to witness their parents’ arrest. Different age groups respond differently, but children of all ages from toddler to youth must be respectfully spoken to and have the situation explained to them to reverse the effects of any trauma down the line. Here are a few safe and proven ways to speak to a child about their parents’ arrest. Ages 1-4 For toddlers, their perception of…
Why You Should Absolutely Remain Silent After Your Arrest
“You have the right to remain silent” is one of the very few statements from Supreme Court law that Americans know by heart, and for a good reason. According to attorneys, the best thing anyone can do after an arrest is to remain absolutely silent. Not only is it the safest plan, but you’ll reduce the risk of damaging your defense by 100%. The statement beginning with, “You have a right to remain silent” derives…
Can Police Search Your Cell Phone Without a Warrant?
Think back to your high school history class. Can you remember the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution? If it’s not on the tip of your tongue, you’re not alone. Most Americans are woefully unaware of their constitutional rights. But the contents of that amendment are worth remembering – it prohibits searches of your personal property, and that includes your cell phone. Constitutional amendments are one thing, but do they hold up in real life? The…
All About Appolition: The Bail Money App
Did you know: Every year, millions of Americans are incarcerated without being able to escape because they can’t afford to pay their bail? What’s known as the “cash bail system” has inadvertently led both the un-convicted and sometimes the innocent to stay behind bars for weeks, months, and in some cases years. Fed up with the obvious downsides of cash bail system and who it hurts the most – poor and disadvantaged Americans – two…
Where Does My Bail Money Go?
When an individual is sentenced to prison, their sentence includes the possibility of parole. Prisoners who commit particularly heinous or brutal crimes are often left to serve out their sentence without the possibility of parole. Many of us are familiar with these terms because we watch the news or crime dramas on television, but what does parole entail, exactly? Who decides to reward a prisoner with parole, and what goes into that decision?