While present at the accident location, someone told you the driver in the blue car was at fault. You repeat this statement in the court as a witness of the crime—you provided the court with hearsay evidence.
In most American states, police officers typically can’t arrest a person for an offense or violation without an arrest warrant, unless they witness the act of crime. In other words, they can only arrest a person if the violation or crime occurs in their presence. But there is more to this requirement.
The curious case of police brutality in the US is an old tale by now. As of August 30th, 2020, 661 civilians have been shot dead at the hands of the police. In 2018, this number stood at 996, and in 2019, it soared to 1,004.
The Fifth Amendment to the US Constitution protects the defendants from self-incrimination by granting them Miranda Rights. Under the amendment provisions, law enforcement must issue warnings to the defendant and inform them about their Miranda Rights before interrogating you. The law allows you to remain silent during the interrogation to prevent self-incrimination.
You may have seen many movies portraying custodial interrogations. From what they show, it’s all about a policeman and suspect locked up in a small room with a table and chair lying in the center and a basic light fixture hanging from the center of the ceiling.
The term arrest refers to being taken into police custody, against the individual’s will. However, this isn’t the same as being put behind bars. Similarly, if the police ask you to stop, questions you, and allows you to leave—it’s not legally called an arrest.
Covid-19 has left us with many interesting effects to see on Law Enforcement with new trends emerging.
When the police show up at your door, you aren’t required to let them in unless they have a legal judge-approved warrant for searching your property. But it’s important to note that the policemen are needed to act in a certain way even if they have a search warrant.
The infamous Patriot Act increased the government’s power to spy on its citizens in four different aspects:
A formal hearing where an accused is told what the charges on them are is called an arraignment.
