First Step of Investigation: Filing a FIR in India v. Singapore

Authored by Pujita Makani

For a country that fines people for not flushing toilets and bans the import and sale of chewing gum you are probably wondering how these offences are policed. Let’s take it up a notch, what happens when you encounter a slightly graver offence. Imagine you trying to take a selfie with The Merlion. While you’re figuring out the perfect angle that accommodates the great gigantic mass, the spout of water and your face, you are assaulted and left bereft of your passport, wallet and most importantly your iPhone. What do you do? File a FIR (First Information Report) in the case of a cognizable offence (where the offender can be arrested by the Police without the prior permission of the Magistrate in the form of a warrant) if you were in India, but you aren’t…

First Step of Investigation: Filing a Criminal Complaint in the USA

Authored by Aarti Aggarwal

In India, a criminal investigation usually begins with the filing of an FIR.  If you want more information about how an FIR works in India, click here. Assuming you have clicked on “here” and are now acquainted with the Indian procedure of filing an FIR (somewhat), what if you weren’t in India?  Most of us would wonder how an investigation is triggered in USA (Holiday in America this summer, anybody?). This article should give you a quick peek into the real game there.

Caught Intoxicated? Dodge the Breathalyzer.

Authored by  Bhavna Raghunath & Ishita Gugnani

It’s a good night out with friends, and you are a few drinks down. But you're not drunk, surely you can drive yourself back home. You are minutes away from home, and you are waved down by a policeman. Within a second realization strikes and you know you are going to be subjected to the Breathalyzer. Your mind is immediately flooded with a million questions. This post is aimed at arming you with relevant information regarding your rights in such a situation.

Myth Busters

Authored by Anmol Mathur, Astha Singh and Rajat Asolkar.

It is said that movies derive inspiration from real life. That is a tall claim considering the fact that if one tried half the things that are showed in Bollywood movies, he/she would probably have a hard time bailing out of the mayhem that will follow. Here are 7  things about criminal law that work fine on the silver screen but are a disaster if you try them in real life.​

Test Your Breath- Science and Law behind Breathalyzers

Authored by Sumeir Ahuja

Everybody fears the breathalyzer. Whether you are driving home after a few drinks or returning to campus after enjoying Haryana’s low liquor tax. So what exactly is a Breathalyzer and what are the laws and limitations with regards to its use?

Stripped of Rights- Law Regarding Strip Search

Authored by Shreya Valiramani

The Strip Search. Yes, we’ve all heard about it from people, newspapers and scarily enough, in our own college. Headlines that read; ‘School girls in Punjab strip searched’, have increased awareness about such instances, but mostly our knowledge is limited to isolated circumstances and consequences.. How many of us really do know if there is a law on strip searches? And if there is, then what is the punishment for it? Have the courts in the country ruled or set any guidelines for the same? Can one refuse to the search being conducted on their person? Are there any necessary procedures to be fulfilled before a strip search is conducted? For all of you,those who don’t know, I’m going to answer all these questions here.