Rebecca Pirius

Rebecca Pirius

Attorney · Mitchell Hamline School of Law

Rebecca Pirius is a Legal Editor at Nolo with a focus on criminal law. She has worked in the area of criminal law since 2003, most recently as a senior policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). For 12 years, Rebecca was a legislative analyst and an attorney in the Minnesota House of Representatives, providing nonpartisan legal research and drafting services to the 134 members. Right out of law school, she clerked for a judge in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Rebecca earned her J.D. from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Minnesota, where she graduated magna cum laude and served as a law review member. She is a member of the Minnesota State Bar.

Nolo. In 2017, Rebecca began freelancing with Nolo and writing articles on criminal law, traffic laws, and impaired driving. She started full time at Nolo in 2019 as a Legal Editor. She writes primarily for CriminalDefenseLawyer.com and Nolo.com.

Prior career. Working at the Minnesota Legislature and NCSL, Rebecca conducted extensive research and analysis of laws and legislation on criminal law, public safety, corrections, and courts. Her roles required her to break down complex legal concepts for a broad audience, including policymakers and constituents, and allowed her to work with both sides of the political aisle. At NCSL, her policy work took her around the country to work with local and state policymakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, former offenders, young adult offenders, crime victims, and criminal justice experts.  

Articles by Rebecca Pirius

Opening Statements in a Criminal Trial: What to Expect
Opening statements can sound dramatic, but they're not evidence. Learn when they happen, what each side is allowed to say, and how judges handle improper comments.
What Is a Chain of Custody for Evidence?
Evidence doesn't automatically make it into court. Learn how the chain of custody works, why it's important, what challenges can be made, and what happens when there's a break in the chain.
Dismissed: Georgia RICO Case Against Trump and Allies
Georgia dropped its election interference RICO case against Trump and allies, ending the last criminal case tied to the 2020 presidential election. Learn who was charged, what happened in the case, and why the new prosecutor walked away.
Evidence of Prior Convictions: Admissible Against Defendants Who Testify?
Are you thinking about testifying in your trial? Discover how your past convictions may be used by prosecutors and how judges decide which convictions are admissible and which are not.
Rape Shield Laws: Protecting Sex-Crime Victims
What protects sexual assault victims from intrusive and embarrassing questions about their sexual histories in court? Discover the purpose, function, and limits of rape shield laws.
Handling Cross-Examination
Understand how cross-examination works, the rules of the courtroom, and how to stay calm and confident during questioning.
Holiday Package Heists: State Laws, Penalties, and How to Stop Porch Pirates
Billions of packages will land on doorsteps this holiday season—and porch pirates are watching. Learn how porch piracy laws work, what penalties thieves face, and the smartest ways to protect your deliveries.
When Does It Make Sense to Waive the Preliminary Hearing?
Waiving a preliminary hearing may sound risky, but it’s often strategic. Learn when skipping the hearing can work in your favor.
Wrongful Conduct: Civil Case vs. Criminal Case
A civil case and a criminal case can be based on the same facts but have different outcomes. The famous O.J. Simpson case helps explain why.
I Told My Lawyer I Plan to Lie on the Stand. What Will Happen?
Planning to testify falsely risks your defense, your lawyer, and a charge of perjury.
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