| ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE & MISUSE OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION |
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| A public servant commits the offense of abuse of public office when he or she intentionally or knowingly and with the intent to obtain a personal benefit violates a law regarding his or her office or misuses government property, services, personnel, or anything of value, which has come into his or her possession by virtue of his or her office or employment. The word "misuse" means to deal with property contrary to any agreement, any contract, or any law. More... |
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| Capital Punishment or the Death Penalty |
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| In 2003, 65 inmates were executed by way of capital punishment or the death penalty. Capital punishment is punishment by death for capital crimes. This type of punishment is available in 38 states. Capital punishment is available for certain federal offenses.
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| JURISDICTION OVER VICTIMLESS CRIMES THAT ARE COMMITTED ON NATIVE AMERICAN RESERVATIONS |
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| When a criminal offense is committed on a Native American reservation, jurisdiction over the offense will depend upon whether the victim of the offense is a Native American or a non-Native American. If the victim of the offense is a Native American, either the federal government or a tribal court will generally assume jurisdiction over the offense. If the victim of the offense is a non-Native American, the state in which the reservation is located will generally assume jurisdiction over the offense.
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| Surveillance Changes under the PATRIOT Act |
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| The PATRIOT Act provides federal and international agencies with the ability to track and intercept oral, written, and electronic communications. More... |
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| INTOXICATION AS A DEFENSE |
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| Intoxication is defined as a change in a person's mental or physical capacity as a result of the introduction of any substance into the person's body, regardless of whether the substance is alcohol or a drug. Voluntary intoxication is when a person voluntarily places himself or herself in an intoxicated condition. Voluntary intoxication is generally not a defense to the commission of a crime, even if it makes a person unaware of his or her surroundings, makes him or her unconscious, or gives him or her no memory or understanding of his or her offense. More... |
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