When the writers of the U.S. Constitution formulated their vision for this new country, they addressed certain aspects of criminal law in the document. With the break from England, the country retained many aspects of that monarchy’s legal system but included some changes as well. Today, criminal defense Lawyers in New Ulm MN provide service to anyone who hires them based on the rules outlined in the Constitution.
Common Law
The distinction between criminal law and civil law has been around since ancient times. Civil law involves disputes or negotiations between individuals or businesses, whereas criminal defense Lawyers in New Ulm MN represent clients who have been charged with a crime. A criminal offense is one that harms individuals or the public at large, as defined by municipal, state and federal laws. The system of common law includes both types of legal matters.
Defendant Rights
The concept of being considered innocent until proven guilty or admitting guilt is a crucial point of U.S. law. So is each citizen’s right to a fair trial and the right to retain an attorney even if a person has no way to pay for legal representation.
Changes in Values
Criminal law is sometimes revised as U.S. residents change their ideas about right and wrong. The increasing legalization of marijuana for medical and recreational uses in various states is a current example. Often, changes in law lag far behind what the majority of the citizenry believes. As recently as 2003, a certain kind of sexual behavior was still illegal in 14 states until the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated those laws. The Court also needed to make gay and lesbian marriages legal throughout the entire country so states could no longer prohibit this.
Values of the citizenry as a group can move in the other direction too. One example is the increasingly strict stance courts take regarding driving under the influence of alcohol. Individual state laws against drunk driving didn’t begin until 1910, but now the behavior is considered a crime in every state. Someone who has been charged with DUI benefits by hiring an attorney with an organization such as the Blatz Law Office. Visit Blatzlawminnesota.com to get started.
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