Criminal Law Newsletters

Amending Indictments & Information

An amendment is a change to an indictment or an information, which has the effect of correcting any defects in the indictment or the information. The amendment changes the wording of the indictment or the information so that it will not be subject to a defendant's motion to dismiss or motion to quash.

Bills of Exception

A defendant is entitled to waive his or her right to appeal his or her conviction by a trial court. However, the waiver must be knowingly and intelligently made by the defendant. The waiver may only be made after the defendant's right to appeal has accrued.

Confessions - Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel

In addition to the right to counsel during interrogation under the self-incrimination privilege of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution, a person has a right to the assistance of counsel under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution when the person is being interrogated after he or she is formally charged with an offense.

Violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits misbranding and adulterating food and drugs that circulate within interstate commerce. The Act was first enacted in 1906. Numerous parties may be charged with violating the Act.

Violations of the Federal Meat Inspection Act

The Federal Meat Inspection Act was passed to ensure that consumers were protected and were provided with good quality meat. The Act provides prohibitions against numerous types of conduct.