PAROLE

Parole is the early release of a prisoner from incarceration. Parole is discretionary and is usually subject to certain conditions. Parole is not a commutation or a change in a prisoner's sentence. It is also not an act of clemency.

MODIFICATION, REDUCTION, & TERMINATION OF PROBATION

A trial judge generally has discretion whether to grant probation to a defendant. In accordance with that discretion, the trial judge is also entitled to modify, to reduce, or to terminate the defendant's probation.

Customs Fraud and Evasion Practices

Double invoicing is a procedure in which the importer and foreign exporter agree to divide the per-unit cost between two invoices. Only one invoice is presented at entry. The second invoice for the balance is forwarded to the importer, either before or after entry, and is paid separately. The customs officials are able to detect the improper value of goods listed on an invoice if they are well seasoned in their work. The double invoicing scheme will work if all of the documents are altered properly.

DURESS AS A DEFENSE

If another person compels a defendant to commit an offense, the defendant may claim that he or she committed the offense under duress. The defense of duress means that the defendant did not have the necessary mental state to commit the offense or to be criminally responsible for the offense.

SEARCH & SEIZURE - SEARCH WARRANTS

The Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. It provides that warrants for an arrest or for a search shall be based on probable cause, shall be supported by an oath or an affirmation, and shall describe with particularity the placed to be searched or the person or thing to be seized.