Criminal Law Newsletters

BIGAMY

A person commits the offense of bigamy when he or she is legally married and when he or she marries or purports to marry another person, who is not his or her spouse. A person also commits the offense of bigamy when he or she is not legally married and when he or she marries or purports to marry another person who is legally married.

INJURY TO A CHILD, AN ELDERLY PERSON, OR A DISABLED INDIVIDUAL

A person commits the offense of injury to a child, an elderly person, or a disabled individual when the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes serious bodily injury or impairment to the child, the elderly person, or the disabled individual.

Violations of the Federal Controlled Substance Act

The Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act gives the government the authority to supervise the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances. The Federal Controlled Substance Act (Substance Act) is a subdivision of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act.

CONFESSIONS & MIRANDA WARNINGS

The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires that no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. The self-incrimination privilege of the Fifth Amendment means that a person cannot be compelled to give a testimonial communication to a police officer.

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.