July, 2019 | Jared Justice

Defamation and the Differences Between Libel and Slander

False accusations are a commonality in the justice system. In fact, data shows that “more than half of exonerations involve…false accusation.” When proven innocent in a case of false accusations, you have the opportunity to sue for defamation. If this happens to you or someone you know, you may get confused by the three terms that are often correlated with a wrongful accusation: defamation, slander, and libel. All these terms have to do with falsely debasing someone’s character. Below we’ll discuss what defamation is and the differences between libel and slander.

How to Handle Being Falsely Accused of a Crime

Having someone accuse you of a crime that you did not commit sounds terrible. And truth is, this occurs much more frequently than you’d expect. You may not have had anything to do with the crime, but if you’re accused, there is no guarantee that the court will dismiss the charges. As such, it’s essential that you take the necessary steps and understand how to handle being falsely accused of a crime. Below we’ve laid a few important aspects for you to know if you’re accused of a crime you did not commit.

Substance Abuse in Oregon | The Threat of Methamphetamine

The United States has been struggling with drug epidemics for years. From marijuana to opiates, the range of destruction is a sliding scale and is steadily rising. As substance abuse continues to impact the nation, some states feel it more than others—Oregon being the main culprit. An Oregon Substance Abuse Disorder Research Committee report found that two out of every three Oregonians either struggle with a substance abuse disorder or have a friend or family member who does. To raise more awareness about this issue, read on to learn about the main culprit of substance abuse in Oregon—methamphetamine.

The Five Main Types of Court-Ordered Treatment

Oregon, like many other states in the country, is dealing with a drug epidemic. As of 2016, for example, Oregon faced significant drug and alcohol abuse threats from things like “methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription drugs.” Because of this, there are quite a lot of substance-related offenses that take place. A consequence of one of those crimes is court-ordered treatment, which takes many forms. Below, you’ll find a guide to the different types of court ordered treatment and the consequences if you refuse it.

What Happens if I Plead the Fifth Your Rights in Court

The United States’ Fifth Amendment states that no one can compel an individual in a criminal case to be a witness against themselves. Also known as “pleading the fifth,” this law guarantees a person has the right to protect themselves from self-incrimination. Pleading the fifth is different depending on the trial—civil or criminal—and whether an individual is a witness. If you find yourself wondering what happens if I plead the fifth, we lay out the information you need below.

Impaired Driving: Your DUII Rights in Oregon

There are many different terms for drunk driving: DUI, DWI, OWI, DUII, and more. Oregon specifically uses the term “driving under the influence of intoxicants” or DUII. This term encompasses more than just driving with a high blood alcohol content level and extends to impairment via drugs, alcohol, or a combination of the two.

7 Factors that Influence Your BAC Level

We’ve previously discussed how alcohol affects the body by delving into the various BAC levels. It’s important to understand those levels, and it’s just as important to recognize the different factors that influence your BAC level. According to the Center for Disease Control, “in 2016, more than 1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol of narcotics. That’s one percent of the 111 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year.” To keep from adding to this statistic and to stay informed, below you’ll find the various factors that impact your BAC level.