Posted on March 19, 2021 in Drug Offenses

Accusations of any type of criminal activity can be detrimental to your future and reputation. Even a misdemeanor can impact your life in various ways if convicted, and you may find yourself in a position where you need to defend yourself against formal charges. It is helpful to understand what you are up against and how you can develop the most effective and strongest defense strategy possible for your individual situation.

In 2020, Illinois changed its laws regarding cannabis and the recreational use of marijuana. If you use marijuana recreationally, it is in your interests to understand these laws in detail as a misunderstanding could lead to legal complications. Marijuana legalization was a legal victory for many, but there are still strict regulations and rules regarding its use and purchase.

What you should know

Illinois was the 11^th state to legalize the recreational use marijuana for adults. For over a year, adults have been able to purchase the drug from licensed and approved sellers throughout the state. The following facts may help you gain a better understanding of what the legalization and other changes could mean for you:

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 Posted on March 08, 2021 in Criminal Defense

It is a rare couple who goes their entire relationship without having a fight. In some cases, arguments can get a bit out of hand with loud yelling and door slamming, but this does not necessarily mean that anyone was immediately at risk of physical harm. Of course, an outside party may not know what is going on and could contact police if that person suspects a domestic battery situation taking place.

Unfortunately, this type of situation recently resulted in your arrest. You and your spouse may have gotten into an argument, and while your neighbor may have had good intentions by contacting the authorities out of concern, it was a situation blown way out of proportion, and you ended up under arrest. Now what?

Domestic battery in Illinois

Even if you know that you did not intend to cause any physical harm and that no harm resulted from the incident, you still must now deal with the repercussions of the ordeal, including defending against criminal charges in an Illinois court. States have differing laws on how they handle domestic violence or domestic battery scenarios, so it is important that you understand what you will face in the coming weeks and months as your case proceeds.

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 Posted on January 07, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Accusations of any type of crime can take a serious toll on a person's life. In some cases, young people or even those of an older age may not consider certain actions as explicitly illegal or even wrong. However, if the action breaks the law in any way, it is possible for criminal charges to result.

In particular, shoplifting is something that could come in many forms, and some of those forms may not seem serious. Nonetheless, if you stand accused of shoplifting in Illinois, you could face serious consequences, depending on the details involved and if a court convicts you of the alleged crime.

Types of shoplifting

If you are facing accusations of shoplifting, you undoubtedly want to understand why the charges came against you and what type of repercussions you could face. Part of that understanding could be determining what action or actions authorities suspect you carried out, which could include any of the following:

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 Posted on December 28, 2020 in Opiate Offenses

Drug crimes are particularly serious criminal offenses, and a conviction could result in significant penalties. An Illinois defendant could face years behind bars, fines and other consequences that may change the course of his or her life. This is certainly possible in cases involving opiate-related criminal charges. Opiates are powerful drugs, and there are certain types that are legal in specific situations, such as when prescribed by a doctor.

Opiates can include several types of drugs and painkillers, including Oxycodone and Vicodin. Prescription painkillers can include synthetic or naturally derived opium, and they are powerful and highly addictive when used inappropriately. Misuse of these types of drugs can result in a permanent mark on a criminal record, loss of future educational opportunities and trouble finding a job.

Possession of prescription drugs could even result in charges of intent to distribute opiates. With the help of an experienced defense attorney, it may be possible to avoid a prison sentence for other alternative sentences. This may include probation, which is more likely an option for first-time offenders, or completion of certain types of treatment programs.

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 Posted on November 21, 2020 in Sex Offenses

Allegations of sex crimes of any kind can have a significant impact on a person's future. It's essential to confront these allegations or charges with a strong defense as one's long-term interests, reputation and personal freedom are on the line. Charges of any type of sex offenses come with the potential of grave penalties, including time behind bars.

Because of the serious nature of these crimes, it is critical to work with an experienced Illinois attorney who provides guidance regarding the most appropriate and effective defense strategy. Conviction of a sex crime could not only result in time behind bars, but it could also lead to compulsory registration as a sex offender, loss of future opportunities and more. Some of the most common sex offenses include:

• Rape
• Aggravated sexual assault
• Internet sex crimes
• Failure to register a sex offender
• Sexual battery
• Possession of child pornography

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 Posted on November 12, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Allegations of abuse are serious, even they are false accusations. These allegations can eventually lead to formal criminal charges, which are a significant threat to your future. You would be wise to take your situation seriously and begin exploring how you can defend yourself. Protecting your future, your freedom and your reputation is critical.

Domestic violence includes any act of violence committed by one family member against another. It is often physically harmful, but it can include other types of harm, such as emotional abuse, controlling behavior and more. It happens between spouses, partners or anyone living together in the same home. These allegations could impact custody hearings, divorce proceedings and various aspects of your life, and it's vital to move quickly to defend yourself.

Domestic battery and types of violence in the home

Domestic battery is a specific type of domestic violence or abuse. Battery is violence or force used by one partner against another. It is possible to face domestic battery charges even if there are no apparent injuries as it can include the attempt to cause harm. Battery is a specific criminal charge, and other forms of domestic violence can include:

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 Posted on October 26, 2020 in Criminal Defense

White collar crimes are those that do not involve violence, but rather dishonesty or deception in order to get an illegal financial or other similar benefit. These crimes usually are committed by people in their professions or jobs, or in other positions of trust like guardians, conservators or officers or employees of nonprofit entities.

Health care fraud

A major problem in the U.S. is the commission of fraud in health care, such as the white collar crime of Medicare fraud. Medicare is the public federal health insurance program for people who have required work histories (or qualifying family members who do) and are seniors or persons with disabilities. Examples of acts that could qualify as Medicare fraud include:

• Submitting claims to the government for payment for services never rendered.
• Submitting claims containing falsehoods about diagnoses, dates of service or service codes.
• Referring patients to other medical facilities in which referring providers or their families have financial interests.

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 Posted on October 26, 2020 in Firm News

A recent grant to the Dallas Police Force will create a unit to investigate financial crimes associated with drug trafficking. According to U.S. authorities, nearly $30 billion in drug money leaves the U.S. for Mexico every year. The money is funneled through various means before reaching cartels in Mexico, where it is often used to bribe officials and otherwise further a cartel's power and influence.

Money laundering is a key component of the drug trafficking trade. Proceeds gained from illegal drug transactions are reinvested in legitimate businesses or luxury goods. Income may be hidden through false receipts or the misrepresentation of income from legitimate sales and businesses. Offshore bank accounts and wire transfers are also frequently used to transfer money. Debit and credit cards may be maxed and then transferred across the border.

Historically, Dallas law enforcement has not focused much on money laundering as a means to convict drug traffickers. While police will seize readily-available assets, such as hidden cash, much of the local law enforcement efforts focus on arresting people in possession of illegal drugs. The DPD has also used wiretapping, gathering intelligence through infiltration and going after drug kingpins in their enforcement of drug laws.

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 Posted on October 26, 2020 in Criminal Defense

The Texas-Mexico border has always been a major entry point for bringing illegal drugs into the United States. For a long time, marijuana, cocaine and heroin represented the vast majority of illegal narcotics intercepted by Customs and Border Protection agents stationed in Texas. However, over the last several years, CBP reports that methamphetamine traffic has risen steadily.

The Texas Tribune recently published data showing that CPB agents in the Laredo district seized approximately 2,200 pounds of methamphetamine in 2012. This is a 116 percent increase from 2011. In turn, in 2011, CPB agents in Laredo seized 34 percent more methamphetamine than they did in 2010.

The reasons for the increase are varied. American appetites for the drug have grown significantly, largely because methamphetamine is simultaneously highly addictive, cheap and potent. A recent study by the University of Texas Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network shows that since 2007, the purity of methamphetamine has increased by 127 percent. At the same time, the purchase price has fallen by approximately 70 percent.

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 Posted on October 15, 2020 in Criminal Defense

Six years ago, the federal government passed the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, a law designed to create a uniform sex offender registration system throughout the United States. Along with five other states, Texas officials have decided that the added costs of participating in the registry aren't worth the potential benefits it could bring.

Texas officials estimated that it would cost approximately $38 million to bring the state's sex offender registration system into compliance with the requirements of the federal law. The penalty for non-compliance is a 10 percent reduction in the crime prevention grants states receive from the federal government. Texas stands to lose approximately $1.4 million as a result of opting out of the federal registry.

In order to comply with the law, Texas would have to significantly expand the state registry, which already includes approximately 70,000 convicted sex offenders. This is because the federal law encompasses more offenses than the state law does.

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