Category Archives: evidence

CAN THEY SEARCH MY STUFF IN SOMEONE ELSE’S CAR?

You were a passenger in a friend’s car. You had your suitcase in the backseat. Your friend got pulled over by police, and police searched your bag and found drugs or weapons. Can the police search your bag if you … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, evidence, investigatory stops, privacy rights, probable cause, reasonable expectation of privacy, search and seizure | Leave a comment

CAN POLICE USE YOUR BODY AGAINST YOU?: DNA SWABS, BLOOD DRAWS AND OTHER EVIDENCE

Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions have spotlighted when police can force you to testify against yourself—through your own body. Here is some new and not so recent law: 1) DNA Swabs: Police may take a DNA swab from inside your … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, blood draw, DNA evidence, evidence, fingerprints, handwriting samples, search and seizure, voice prints | Leave a comment

IS A CONFESSION ENOUGH TO CONVICT YOU OF A CRIME IN ILLINOIS?

They said if you signed the paper, they’d give you a better deal or even let you go. After being arrested, you were brought to the police station. Maybe you were tired or or just not thinking straight. So you … Continue reading

Posted in arrest, confession, corroborating evidence, criminal arrest, evidence | Leave a comment