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...
Criminal Defense Experience
Newport Beach Criminal Defense Blog
Can you be charged with conspiracy if you didn’t act criminally?
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...
Could a plea bargain resolve your legal matters?
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...
3 common mistakes people make when facing criminal investigations
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...
The differences between misdemeanors and felonies
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,...
Secondary consequences associated with having a criminal record
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...
How can a motion to suppress evidence help your case?
As the defendant in a criminal case, you can ask the judge to exclude specific evidence from being used against you at trial by filing a motion to suppress. If granted, the evidence will essentially be excluded from your case, and the prosecution will not present it...
California has cracked down on the theft of catalytic converters
Thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles have increased in recent years. California has the unfortunate distinction of leading the country in these thefts, with about 30% of the total converters stolen, according to State Farm. The value of a catalytic converter...
What is health insurance fraud?
Medical insurance fraud is a billion-dollar industry in the U.S. Medicare and Medicaid fraud alone is estimated to cost taxpayers around $100 billion a year, so it’s often aggressively prosecuted. What, exactly, is health insurance fraud? The answers may surprise you....
Money laundering can occur at businesses without their knowledge
Money laundering is a criminal act that obfuscates the origins of capital. By filtering money through a business or certain financial accounts, people can make funds with illegal origins appear legitimate. Oftentimes, those involved in money laundering operations are...