The distinction between first and second-degree manslaughter is primarily due to the directness of the act. Because these levels of manslaughter carry various degrees of possible punishment, it matters a great deal what a Connecticut resident is charged with....
Violent Crimes
The ways in which manslaughter differs from murder
As most Connecticut residents understand, a murder charge can arise from the killing of another person. However, this area of law can be complex, especially if the one accused of the crime insists that he or she did not mean to cause the death of the other person.A...
Scientific evidence may lead to false convictions
In many criminal cases, forensic science is used to either prove or disprove information involving the crime. According to the Innocence Project, more than 350 cases have been overturned by the court because DNA evidence proved that the person was innocent of...
Understanding Connecticut arraignments
Those accused of a crime are often initially confused about the Connecticut criminal judicial process. This confusion could lead to fear, especially if one were anxious about the long-term consequences of a trial. However, it is usually...
Are eyewitness lineups accurate and reliable?
If you have been charged with a crime in Connecticut, you may be forced to participate in an eyewitness lineup. While many states in the nation implement these procedures, multiple studies show that this method of identifying a suspect can be inaccurate and often...
Do repeat offenders face automatic jail time in Connecticut?
Connecticut state law provides for an increase in sentencing severity to dissuade recidivism. Persistent offenders, to use the language of the penal code, might face jail more often than individuals convicted of their first offense. For example, if you had a...
Maintaining impartiality during rape trial processes
If you know much about what happens during formal Connecticut rape accusations, then you are aware that emotions and persuasion have the potential to take the place of good legal logic, forensic science and diligent police work. During our practice at the law...
Does social media affect your right to a fair trial?
Arrests or charges filed in a case involving a violent crime are immediate content for social media. News organizations are quick to splash details all over their social media accounts and encourage followers to make comments and discuss the case. If you are charged...
Understanding Connecticut’s statutory rape laws
Many people in Connecticut might generally have an understanding that statutory rape refers to sexual contact with a minor, they may not fully understand the state's laws on this matter. This is because the laws can be quite complex and there is not just one...
What are the issues with no body for a murder charge?
If someone is facing a murder charge, typically, it is because a body has been found, along with evidence linking them to the crime. However, in Connecticut, you could be charged with murder even if there is no body. According to the New Haven Register, as long as...