In the United States, the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement. It is crucial to be aware of your rights and recognize if you have been a victim of an illegal search and seizure. Read below the signs of an illegal…
South Florida Criminal Attorneys Blog
Can I Be Charged Just For Being at The Scene of a Crime?
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…
Detention Hearing: What to Expect
Being charged with a federal crime can be a scary thought, however, many don’t know that within three days of your arrest, you have the right to appear before a judge, also known as, a federal detention hearing. A federal detention hearing allows you to let the judge know that…
What is a Pretrial Diversion Program?
There is a common misconception that if you commit a crime, there are only two options: You are acquitted or you face jail time. However, an experienced criminal lawyer will inform you of pre-trial diversion programs. Everybody makes mistakes and fortunately, the state of Florida recognizes that many deserve second…
Can You be Charged For Having a Controlled Substance Not Prescribed to You?
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…
Is it Possible to be Charged in Federal and State Court for the Same Crime?
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…
What Do I Do If There Is A Warrant for My Arrest?
Finding out that there is a warrant out for your arrest can be a daunting experience. The unfortunate truth is that most do not realize this is the case until they get a knock on the door from officials trying to arrest them. However, whether you become aware weeks in…
What is Insider Trading, and When is it Illegal?
A corporate insider is an individual who is an officer or employee of a publicly traded company who is aware of significant information which has yet to be released to the public that can influence the company’s stock price. Illegal insider trading is when a person has the privileged knowledge…
What are the Penalties for Medicare fraud?
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…
Consequences of Lying to a Federal Officer
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…