Prison Trivia

Published Dec 19, 2021

If you know someone charged with a felony crime or if you are only curious about the felony charges in the US, then you are in the right place. Below is the discussion about some of the common felonies in the US.

What is a Felony?

Felony crimes are more severe than misdemeanor charges. It can be both nonviolent or violent unlawful acts and are usually punishable by prison time and hefty fines.

These types of crimes always have a heavier sentence than a misdemeanor because felonies can have a massive impact on public safety. Let’s look at the most common felonies in the United States this 2021 as per Statista.

The Most Common Felonies in the US

• Property crime – 6,452,038
• Larceny-theft – 4,606,324
• Violent crime – 1,313,105
• Burglary – 1,035,314
• Aggravated assault – 921,505
• Motor vehicle theft – 810,400
• Robbery – 243,600
• Rape – 126,430
• Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter – 21,570

Different Classifications of Felony Charges

Class 1 Felony:

This is the most serious charge that has a penalty that ranges from a minimum of life prison and a maximum of a death sentence.

Published Oct 10, 2021

If you’ve ever watched a police procedural on television, you’ve seen investigators conduct criminal investigations. While real life differs significantly from fiction in numerous ways, criminal investigations occur on a daily basis. So, how to tell if the police are investigating you?

Criminal investigations take a variety of forms. However, if you see any of the following, you may need to consult a lawyer:

1. You have committed an offense

In general, investigators do not conduct investigations for the purpose of conducting investigations. If you have committed an unlawful act, such as embezzling funds from your company, your behavior may eventually be discovered. If someone alerts the authorities, you may almost certainly expect an investigator to initiate an investigation into your activities.

2. You have become aware of unusual activity

Oftentimes, investigators must amass a large amount of evidence in order to solve a crime. If you spot suspicious vehicles parked near your home, receive strange phone calls, or have unknown individuals contact you via social media, you may be the focus of a criminal investigation.

3. You have received an information request

When establishing a case, criminal investigators often comb through a range of records. Additionally, they may collaborate with banks, educational institutions, and employers to ascertain facts. If you receive an unusual request for information, an investigator may be attempting to bring criminal charges against you.

4. You are informed by an investigator

Finally, arguably the most obvious indication that you are under investigation is when an investigator notifies you. This, however, may take a variety of shapes. Officers may request that you submit to questioning. Alternatively, someone may pay a visit to your home or place of business and ask you questions. While the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects you against self-incrimination, you may become the subject of a criminal investigation if investigators communicate with you.

If you believe you are being investigated for a crime, you may experience a range of emotions. However, you should not let paranoia prevent you from taking the essential efforts to safeguard your legal rights and interests.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW WHEN YOU FOUND OUT THE POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING YOU

Once you receive anything mentioned above, it’s essential to be cautious and know what to do next.

Here are some things you should know to help you on what you should do next when police are investigating you.

CREDIBILITY DOESN’T MATTER

Whether you have previous criminal records or not, it doesn’t matter. The prosecutors will still look at the evidence and see what they can prove. But, your credibility somehow affects how your case will be decided.

For instance, if you’re a law-abiding citizen, then your sentence will be more likely in minimum.

Your credibility won’t help to determine whether you’re guilty or innocent. However, it will affect how you will be treated once you’re found guilty.

DO NOT SPEAK TO THE POLICE WITHOUT A LAWYER

Talking to the police or with the feds without a lawyer is a big no. It would be best if you don’t do that. You have the right to remain silent, so use that to your advantage.

If police went to your house and ask you questions, odds are they don’t have strong evidence against you yet. Remember that, the grand jury only has strong evidence against you once you receive a target letter.

So if they want to arrest you, they would’ve done that already. But police can’t unless you’re proven guilty. They are only trying to get information out of you, which can be used later against you.

Therefore, it’s better to speak to a lawyer first and seek legal advice.

POLICE LIES

Yes. Police do lie. In fact, they’re allowed to. Police officers will often tell you lies to get information out of you.

For instance, they may tell that your partner in crime already confessed and is pointing out the crime to you. Which you might end up explaining that you’re only at the scene of the crime but did not do it. So there, the police got the information out of you.

Published Sept 5, 2021

Since the pandemic started, we might have seen similarities in our life and prisoners. We probably think we’re also prisoners jailed in the comfort of our homes as we are also locked in and trapped in our houses. These prison movies can show us how different and hard life can be inside the jail. Obviously, prisoners are going through more than just being quarantined. Here are 5 hard-hitting prison movies on Netflix:

1. The Platform

The Platform is a Netflix prison movie that exhibits how the jails would look in the future if the prison would be vertical. In this movie, the prison has hundreds of floors in which two prisoners stay on each floor. The title of the film “The Platform” is from the platform in the film that goes up and down once a day to serve food. The platform starts to descend from the top and goes all the way to the last floor. They consider every floor as a stage. 

Prisoners from the higher stages have access to a feast of different kinds of food. However, all that food can be enough for everyone if prisoners only eat enough food to survive. Sadly, the food on the platform doesn’t reach prisoners on the lower levels. Goreng, the main character of this film, volunteered to enter prison to make himself quit smoking. Witness while he tries to survive his cruel situation on the platform. 

2. Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons

Have you ever wondered how dangerous things can get inside the world’s toughest prisons? This series on Netflix is a documentary that exposes the reality of prison in different jails. The hosts volunteered to be imprisoned in 19 prisons around the world. 

Paul Connolly presented the first season of this series in which he spends his time in prison in countries like Honduras, Poland, Mexico, and the Philippines. However, the following seasons are hosted by Raphael Rowe. Inside The World’s Toughest Prisons gives us an up-close look at the different kinds of prison systems around the world. 

3. First and Last

First and Last is a 2018 documentation that took place in Gwinnett County Jail. This series features how inmates experience their first and last days in prison. A new beginning for every inmate may be another prisoner’s ending. 

The first days of inmates can be full of intense drama and chaos, while the last days can be emotionally touching and heart-whelming. This series reveals what prison does to people and how much it changes them. First and Last shows us the different situations of inmates for us to gain perspective of the prison’s system.

Published Aug 1, 2021

A frequently asked question is if you are required to speak with the officers if you are stopped. The Supreme Court has ruled that you must provide your name when requested, but there is no requirement to provide anything other than that. You can even say, “I don’t answer questions, police officer,” just to give them a hint that you are aware of your rights. There are several nuanced aspects to situational exchanges with officers, which we will discuss in greater detail below.

Remember Your Rights

You’ve probably seen this scene numerous times on television’s police procedural shows. A police officer is expected to inform a suspect of his or her rights, which include the right to stay silent and the right to hire a lawyer. 

If you are ever stopped by the police, keep in mind that if you have not committed a crime at that exact time, you have the right to stay silent and not answer any of the officer’s questions other than your name. However, a police officer may approach you casually and invite you to come over and speak with them. 

To discover whether you have committed a crime, all you need to say is, “pardon me, police officer, have I done anything wrong?” At this point, the police should explain why they stopped you, and you can determine whether or not you’re in any trouble. You can follow up with the query, “am I free to leave?” to point out that you do not want to talk to the police officer unless they have a search warrant.

Provide Only Basic Information

When providing information to a police officer, you should be brief and direct. Make no attempt to provide any information beyond what is requested. Any lie on your side (which the officer can verify) will result in you uttering falsifications and being arrested. Although you have the right to remain silent if you have not committed a crime, providing the police officer with some basic information can sometimes help a particular situation. This may involve the following:

• Name
• Address with details of your current living situation (you may include who you live with, for instance)
• Reason for being out and where your destination is

Published July 25, 2021

While shoplifting incidents are relatively common, this does not mean they are not taken seriously. Every state’s penal (criminal) code contains rules relating to shoplifting (often grouped under the umbrella of theft or larceny statutes). Moreover, the shoplifting fine can be severe—especially when the product is expensive or the perpetrator has an existing criminal record. 

This article discusses shoplifting in general, the types of acts that constitute shoplifting, how shoplifting is prosecuted, and when shoplifters can be sued under civil liability laws.

Understanding What Shoplifting Is

Usually, shoplifting is described as the act of taking items from a retailer without paying for them. However, successfully evading payment for products is not the only way of committing a shoplifting crime. In some instances, the plan to steal combined with an act to pursue that desire may result in criminal charges for stealing or retail fraud. A shoplifting-related action could involve the following:

• price tag altering 
• removing (or even attempting to remove) anti-theft devices or security tags
• concealing or hiding an item inside you while still in the store –– hiding things in your pocket or purse
• removing an item from its packaging and keeping it in or among other products

Factors That Affects A Shoplifting Case

• Age

Your age can significantly affect your case. The judge can be more merciful to you if you’re younger.

• Prior Convictions

Your criminal history will also affect the decision of the judge. If you have prior convictions, the chances are high that even a plea bargain deal won’t be offered to you.

• The Item You Stole

The item that you stole can also interfere with the judge’s decision. In this instance, the judge might be more lenient if you were caught stealing food for your baby than taking cosmetics or anything just for fun.

• The Value Of The Stolen Item

Your case may be treated differently depending on the value of the object that you stole. For instance, a $30 item has lower charges than stealing $500 worth of an item.

How Shoplifting Is Prosecuted and Penalized

In many places, shoplifting is prosecuted and penalized as a theft or larceny offense—typically as petty or misdemeanor theft, if the value of the item stolen, is less than a specified amount (for instance, $200). Other states distinguish between shoplifting and general theft for charging and sentencing purposes, and some penalize shoplifting less severely than other theft charges. 

In Massachusetts, for example, a first or second offense of shoplifting items valued under $250 involves a monetary punishment only. However, the lowest category of larceny (theft) carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison for taking the same amount. (Massachusetts General Laws ch. 266, sections 30, 30A (2020).) 

As the monetary worth of the stolen items increases, the severity of the criminal charge that will come from a shoplifting offense increases accordingly. Penalties may begin as infractions and progress to misdemeanors or felonies in some states. Each state utilizes a separate set of criteria (monetary values) to categorize offenses.

Defining Shoplifting “Sprees” and Retail Theft Rings

In many places, a person caught with shoplifting will be charged with a more serious crime (and/or face heavier penalties) if there is evidence that the conduct was part of a shoplifting “spree” or systematic sequence of thefts from retail outlets. These schemes are referred to in some states as “retail theft rings” or “organized retail theft,” mainly when they involve the illegal resale of stolen products. Generally, these are felonies.

Shoplifting Civil Liability 

Along with any criminal penalties associated with stealing, each state has a civil law that allows someone who commits shoplifting to be held civilly liable to the store owner (or the owner of the product) for monetary damages resulting from the incident. 

Additionally, in almost every state, the parents or legal guardians of minors who shoplift may be liable for monetary damages (although a few jurisdictions require that parents or guardians know or should have been aware of the minors’ tendency toward stealing). When parents or legal guardians are liable for damages, some states reduce the amount of the penalty that parents or minors must pay (compared to adult shoplifters). Certain states absolve foster parents of obligation.