Smartphones contain an incredible amount of information about the person who owns the phone. If that person is being investigated for a crime, it’s very likely that police officers and investigators would like to search the phone for evidence. They may want to read...
Year: 2024
3 times one parent can potentially secure sole custody in West Virginia
Many parents navigating a divorce or breakup fantasize about sole custody. They dream of moving on with their lives with their children and not the other parent. While that can be a pleasant concept, it is far from the reality experienced by most adults who end...
Memory isn’t as accurate as you think
It’s common for people to believe that their memory is as accurate as a video recording. This is why an eyewitness in a criminal case will often trust their memory of events, and their account will be considered believable by the court. In reality, though, memory is...
Why would an eyewitness get the details wrong?
You’re facing charges after an arrest, and an eyewitness says that you were the one who committed the crime. Maybe you’re already on trial and the eyewitness has been called to the stand to testify. Or perhaps they are simply being interviewed by police at the scene,...
If your ex gets fired, can they stop paying child support?
Your ex has been paying child support ever since the divorce, but you’re worried that those payments may soon end. Companies in the area have been making layoffs, and your ex recently lost their job. The child support payments were determined based on their income,...
Challenging the prosecution: DNA evidence in violent crime cases
West Virginia prosecutors, like their counterparts nationwide, depend on powerful evidence to secure convictions for violent crimes like murder or assault. During a trial, this evidence is presented to a jury for careful consideration. While DNA testing has become a...
What can you do to avoid an unfair divorce settlement?
Divorce can be an emotionally charged and challenging process, and you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to protect your interests if your marriage is at an end. As taking proactive steps to avoid an unfair settlement is essential, it’s important to seek...
Why do prosecutors search defendants’ social media accounts?
Prosecutors often turn to the digital footprints created by defendants on social media platforms as part of their investigative and case-building processes. This modern investigative tactic is rooted in the understanding that social media accounts can be treasure...
Some criminal cases rely on junk science
Some evidence of criminal activity is relatively straightforward. There are messages between people confirming their plan to break the law. In some cases, there might be security camera footage of a particular criminal incident. Other times, police officers and...
What constitutes bank fraud?
Bank fraud is a white-collar crime involving deceptive practices to obtain money, assets or other property owned or held by a financial institution. Each year, thousands of people get charged with bank fraud. In fact, according to the ABA Banking Journal, banking...