| MARITIME JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT |
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| In accordance with Article III of the United States Constitution, the federal government has jurisdiction over all admiralty and maritime cases. This means that the federal government has jurisdiction over all criminal offenses that are committed on the high seas, on any other waters within the jurisdiction of the United States, or on any vessel that belongs to the United States, to a United States citizen, or to a corporation, which vessel is located within the admiralty or maritime jurisdiction of the United States and not within the jurisdiction of a state.
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| GRAND JURY PROCEDURE |
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| When a grand jury is impaneled to investigate criminal activity, one member of the grand jury is selected as a foreman. The foreman is responsible for presiding over the grand jury. A quorum is necessary for the grand jury to proceed. Nine grand jurors is the minimum for a quorum when there are 12 grand jurors. If the grand jury acts without a quorum, the proceedings are void. Any indictment that is issued by the grand jury without a quorum is subject to being dismissed or quashed.More... |
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| Warrantless Arrests |
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| A warrantless arrest must be made in accordance with the requirements of the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which guarantees the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. More... |
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| EXTRAORDINARY RELIEF |
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| A defendant has an adequate remedy at law for a lower court's decision when he or she has a right to appeal the lower court's decision. When the defendant cannot appeal the lower court's decision, he or she may be entitled to extraordinary relief. Extraordinary relief is a method by which the defendant seeks to have an appellate court examine the lower court's actions and order the lower court to perform or to refrain from performing a certain act.More... |
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| Principals and Accessories |
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| A defendant in an action may be charged as a principal offender of the underlying offense or an accessory to the underlying offense. Depending upon the defendant's actions and role in the offense, the prosecution will decide to charge the defendant as a principal or an accessory.More... |
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