Law, Crime & Justice

Holiday shopping can present unique danger. Employing a few preventative measures can help keep the holiday season joyous.

Dec 1, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

After the Civil War, the vote was extended to members of all races. Some states placed a tax on voting to hold down the black vote.

Nov 29, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Constitution provided for a seat of government for the United States. It did not provide voting rights for those living there.

Nov 15, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

In 1797 George Washington set a precedent that would be followed for 143 years. He retired from office after two terms. Franklin Roosevelt broke the tradition.

Nov 14, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The decision announced Nov. 13, 2009 by Attorney General Eric Holder to try 9/11 conspirators in New York is controversial, but strongly grounded in the Constitution.

Nov 14, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The only constitutional amendment ever repealed was the 18th which had ushered in Prohibition. The experiment ended on Dec. 5, 1933, with ratification of the 21st.

Nov 14, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

In 1787, when the US Constitution was submitted to the States for ratification, the world was a far different place than in 1932. Communication and travel were far slower

Nov 12, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

It is difficult to get a job in today's economy, especially for an individual with a criminal record. Florida has a process for some individuals to clean their records.

Nov 11, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

Under Florida law, DUI is one offense, proved by impairment of normal faculties or unlawful blood alcohol or breath alcohol level of .08 or above.

Nov 5, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

A Florida felony is a serious crime that has a possible prison term of more than one year, possibly up to life. Capital felonies may lead to the death penalty.

Nov 4, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment assured freed slaves the right to vote. At that time a woman's right to vote was still not universal.

Oct 25, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Civil War was fought between Slave and Free states. In 1851 Maine started another divide between states known as Wet and Dry, when it banned alcoholic beverages.

Aug 25, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

From 1787 to 1913 the power to choose United States Senators was vested by the Constitution in the State legislatures. The Seventeenth Amendment changed this.

Aug 20, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

When April 15th rolls around, the government's power to impose an income tax is taken for granted. There was a time some forms of income tax were unconstitutional.

Aug 19, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Civil War had been won by the North, but there was still much to do, as both legal and extra-legal means were used to prevent freed slaves from voting.

Aug 13, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

While the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, it did nothing regarding the legal status of the former slaves. The 14th Amendment gave them citizenship and did much more.

Aug 10, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

Abraham Lincoln issued The Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 freeing many slaves. Its scope was limited and the 13th Amendment was needed to complete the job.

Aug 8, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

George Washington was elected president unanimously twice. Those were the last two times for such national unity. The elections of 1796 and 1800 were vastly different.

Jul 31, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution. If the Court makes an unpopular decision, the recourse is an amendment. This happened with the Eleventh Amendment.

Jul 30, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

Among the difficulties proponents had when seeking constitutional ratification was the lack of an express limit on federal power. The Tenth Amendment was to remedy this.

Jul 29, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to explicitly limit the federal government, but there was concern that naming specific rights would exclude others.

Jul 22, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Declaration of Independence lists colonists' grievances against England's king. Protection from many of those grievances became part of the Bill of Rights.

Jul 21, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

From March, 1781 to March, 1789 the United States operated under the Articles of Confederation. Amending the Articles required unanimous consent.

Jul 21, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The Constitution's Article VI covers three items: outstanding debt, prohibition of religious tests for office, and federal law's power over state law.

Jul 15, 2009 - David J. Shestokas

The US Constitution was designed to serve generations of Americans. An important feature is the built in amendment process. It was made difficult, but not impossible.

Jul 13, 2009 - David J. Shestokas