When you face a federal criminal charge, quite a bit hangs in the balance. Federal offenses are typically quite serious in nature, and while the penalties associated with a federal offense vary, you may have to serve time and pay hefty fines, among other potential...
Federal Criminal Defense
Does New York have the death penalty?
New York does not have the death penalty. But its history with this form of punishment has been a roller coaster. The controversy over the death penalty began in the 1860s when the legislature accidentally outlawed it. They were trying to ban the practice of hanging,...
Is eyewitness testimony always reliable?
When someone faces a criminal accusation, prosecutors may use eyewitness testimony to get a conviction. A common belief is that if someone saw something happen, it must be true. However, the reliability of eyewitness testimony is much more complicated than that....
Your career after white-collar crime
White-collar crime can have widespread effects on your life including your personal relationships and your professional reputation. Depending on your level of involvement, your career may never be the same. You might desire to return to the workforce after satisfying...
Understanding your right to remain silent
You may have heard of the Miranda warning in passing, given its popularity in media like shows and movies. Any time you have heard a police officer warn someone of their right to remain silent, this is part of the Miranda rights. But that is not the only right it...
Why is insider trading bad?
Insider trading is something that people often speak of as a bad thing without actually explaining why. However, these claims are not without their reason. Why exactly is insider trading such a problem? How does it pose a potential threat to the entirety of the free...
What are the areas of negotiation for a plea bargain?
Plea bargains are exceedingly common in all criminal cases, including high-level federal ones. In fact, it is almost 100% certain that the prosecution will give you some form of plea bargain during your federal criminal trial. However, even though most people are...
A new era for cryptocurrency?
Once considered obscure and something on the financial “fringes,” cryptocurrency has grown in prominence. The controversial monetary system has its supporters and detractors. Prominence has a price. U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order for government...
How do you tell mail and wire fraud apart?
White collar crime exists as a separate entity from blue collar crime, primarily consisting of criminal activity that has to do with businesses, finances and other non-violent illegal activity. Both wire fraud and mail fraud fall under this category. Both also have...
What is insider trading?
With all of the unspoken rules and written laws governing the market, it may feel overwhelming at best when you dive into buying, selling and trading. But there are some things you need to understand before diving in, or you risk facing legal repercussions. Insider...