If you are facing criminal charges for something you did not do, it is important to look for ways to prove your innocence. Otherwise, you could be punished and burdened with a criminal record for life. One of the clearest ways to show you did not commit a crime is to...
Fraud charges are among the most common white-collar crimes prosecuted in the United States. Fraud can involve individuals acting on their own behalf but frequently involves someone in a professional environment. People in a variety of different careers may engage in...
One type of white-collar financial crime is known as a pyramid scheme. This is a form of fraud that seeks to siphon money from well-meaning investors. It is illegal to run a pyramid scheme, so anyone who is caught doing so could face serious charges, fines and even...
In comparison with many other states, California has relatively lax knife laws. For instance, switchblades are not illegal to carry here as long as the blade is less than two inches long. But that does not mean you can’t still run afoul of the law for carrying a...
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is a federal law initially enacted to combat the Mafia. It provides extended penalties for illegal activities that are part of an ongoing criminal organization. Since its enactment, it has been used to...
Multiple types of crimes can involve a conspiracy. Everything from the theft of a car to white collar fraud can involve more than one person. People often don’t realize that conspiracy to commit a crime can be, in itself, a criminal offense even if the crime was...
If you are facing criminal charges here in California, at some point it is likely that you or your attorney will be asked to consider accepting a plea bargain to end your criminal case. The question then becomes, “should you accept it?” There is no universal right or...
Sometimes, law enforcement professionals try to investigate alleged wrongdoing in secrecy. They might even approach a suspect and convince them that they have information that could implicate other people. Other times, law enforcement professionals let someone know...
In California, the legal system categorizes crimes into two primary classifications: misdemeanors and felonies. This distinction is both broadly important and consequential for individual cases, as it influences the severity of the punishments a defendant may face,...
Having a criminal record can lead to a range of secondary consequences that extend far beyond any formal initial legal penalties handed down by the courts. These consequences can affect various aspects of a person's life, often for years after the completion of their...
