About Andra DelMonico, J.D.
Graduating from Stetson University College of Law with a J.D., Andra brings a straightforward approach to legal writing. With over a decade of freelance writing experience, she has a wealth of experience in writing about a broad range of legal topics. She has ghostwritten for individual attorneys, law firms, and businesses. When not writing, Andra spends her time boating and motorcycle riding with her family in sunny Florida.
Articles written by Andra DelMonico, J.D.
Is Sex Work Illegal in the US? State Prostitution Laws and Criminalization
Prostitution is illegal throughout the United States except in a small number of licensed brothels in certain rural Nevada counties. Every other state has laws that criminalize prostitution, although the specific offenses, penalties, and enforcement practices vary. If you have been charged with a prostitution-related offense, the consequences can include fines, jail time, probation, and a permanent criminal record. For legal help with prostitution or solicitation charges, speak with a criminal …
What Is a Sin Tax? How Taxes Impact Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis
Sin taxes are designed to make certain products more expensive by adding a special tax on top of the purchase price. While alcohol and tobacco have long been the most recognizable examples, today's debates reach much further, including cannabis, vaping products, gambling, and even proposals involving online content creators. As lawmakers continue testing the limits of these taxes, consumers and businesses alike are left wondering where the line is drawn. The idea behind a sin tax sounds simple …
Are Abortion Pills Banned? Mifepristone Regulations and SCOTUS Rulings
Abortion pills are not banned nationwide. Mifepristone remains approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but whether you can legally obtain it depends largely on where you live. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, states have adopted very different abortion laws, creating a patchwork of rules that continues to change through new legislation and court decisions. Trying to make sense of the headlines can feel like chasing a moving target. One court ruling says one …
Is Birth Control Legal in the US? Contraception Rights and State Laws
Birth control is still legal throughout the United States. U.S. Supreme Court decisions recognizing a constitutional right to contraception remain in effect. Even so, changing laws, political debates, and state-level proposals have left many people wondering whether those rights could change and what protections exist today. Questions about birth control today often have less to do with current legality and more to do with what could happen in the future. Constitutional protections, federal …
Can You Remove Your Child From Public School Classes You Disagree With?
Parents do not have a general right to remove their children from every public school lesson they oppose. However, when classroom instruction conflicts with sincerely held religious beliefs, the law may require schools to offer an opt-out. That question was at the center of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor. The Court's Mahmoud v. Taylor ruling extends beyond a single Maryland school district. It raises important questions about the balance between public education, …
Can You Bring a Gun Onto Private Property? Permission and Legality
Bringing a gun onto private property may be legal, prohibited, or somewhere in between, depending on where you are and who owns the property. While the Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, private property owners also have legal rights to set rules for their businesses and land. The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Wolford v. Lopez helps define where those rights intersect and where states may have gone too far. If you're facing criminal charges, have questions about your firearm …
Is It Legal To Pray in Public? Kennedy v. Bremerton and the First Amendment
Public prayer is generally legal in the United States. The First Amendment protects your right to practice your religion, including praying in public. However, whether prayer is protected in places like public schools, government workplaces, or other official settings depends on the circumstances. The key question is often whether the prayer is a private act of faith or a government-sponsored religious activity. Many people assume the law draws a simple line between public and private prayer. …
Can Asylum Seekers Be Turned Away? US Turnback Policy Explained
Asylum seekers can be turned away at the U.S.–Mexico border under the current interpretation of immigration law when they have not physically entered U.S. territory. In Mullin v. Al Otro Lado (2026), the U.S. Supreme Court reinforced that “arrival” under the Immigration and Nationality Act requires physical presence inside the United States, not proximity to a port of entry or waiting on the Mexican side of the border. For legal help with asylum or immigration matters, speak with an …
Does the First Amendment Protect Hate Speech? A Legal Guide
Calling something "hate speech" does not automatically make it illegal. Under the First Amendment, the government generally cannot punish speech simply because it is hateful or offensive. The legal analysis becomes more complicated when the speech involves threats, intimidation, discrimination, or violence. Those situations may create civil liability or even criminal consequences. Talk with a First Amendment or civil rights attorney to understand your rights and whether legal action may be …
Constitutional Rights in US Territorities: What Laws Apply?
Constitutional rights apply in U.S. territories, but not always in the same way as in the 50 states. Some protections apply fully, some apply only in part, and others depend on whether Congress or the courts have extended them through federal law and precedent. For people living in Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, the scope of constitutional protection depends on a complex legal framework shaped by Supreme Court doctrine and …
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