Under federal law, being present at the scene of a crime does not necessarily make an individual guilty. In order to be convicted of a crime, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the individual committed or assisted in the crime. Simply being present at the scene of…
When you think of being charged for possession of drugs, one normally thinks of cocaine, heroin, etc. However, did you know you can also be charged for having medication that has been prescribed to someone else? A couple of exceptions are below: · Medical personnel traveling to a patient’s home…
If you are arrested, it is vital that you know if you are going to be charged in a state court or in a federal court. For state crimes, state police and prosecutors will pursue the charges while other crimes are investigated by a federal agency, like the Federal Bureau…
The U.S. government inspects Medicare expenses charged by physicians. The state government also carefully examines doctors’ charges and the patient’s health assessments as well. Since the government is paying the bills, it has the right to examine and dispute anything they want. The probe from federal and state law enforcement…
What are the consequences of lying to a federal agent? Lying, or willingly making false statements to a United States federal agent, is a federal crime. Under Section 1001 of title 18 of the United States Code (18 USC Section 1001), an individual or group can be criminalized for knowingly…
Being arrested for a federal charge can easily be an overwhelming experience, leaving many people not knowing what to do. As the common saying goes, “innocent until proven guilty”. It is important to protect your rights from being violated which include the right to a Miranda Warning, the right to…
Criminal cases fall into generally two types of court systems – federal and state. Which court your case will fall under will depend on which court system has jurisdiction (the power to make legal decisions and judgements). Most states like Florida have broad jurisdiction and can hear cases regarding DUI…
The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, simply referred to as RICO, was passed in 1970 to help prosecutors pursue charges against organized crime organizations such as mobs, gangs and cartels. Recently, even well-known celebrities have been charged through RICO for their alleged involvement with these types of organizations. In…
When you are accused of a serious criminal charge, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who will present all available legal options to you that can prevent a conviction or at the very least, can lessen your charge. When appropriate, a Cooperation Agreement is a legal…
The definition of extortion is obtaining money or property by threat or intimidation even though it may not be represented by a clear or imminent physical danger to the victim. It is basically acquiring money or property by threat of physical violence or embarrassment to the victim, a friend or…