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Loan Sharking or Usury

Loan sharking is defined as when a borrower is charged interest above an established legal rate. Depending on the state, lenders typically cannot charge more than 60% interest per year. Loan sharking is also commonly referred to as usury. ...

Hobbs Act Generally

The elements with respect to a violation of the Hobbs Act are as follows:

Obstruction or effect on interstate commerce.
An attempt, conspiracy or completed robbery or extortion is committed.
The...

Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication

A mistake of law is generally not a defense to a criminal offense. A mistake of law means that a defendant was ignorant of the provisions of the law regarding the offense. The fact that the defendant did not know the law is therefore not a...

CONFESSIONS - WAIVER OF RIGHTS

Criminal Law & Procedure:Evidence:Confessions

A confession must be voluntary in order to be admitted into evidence in a criminal proceeding. When a person makes a confession, he or she is waiving his or...

Factual Stipulations in Criminal Trials

A stipulation is an agreement between adverse parties as to the definition or identification of a statement or pieces of evidence that are material to the case. Trial judges typically accept stipulations of fact presented by parties. However, it...