Fort Lauderdale Criminal Lawyer

What Can You Learn from the Gulf Oil Spill?

2010-05-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

The recent oil spill has raised huge environmental issues and a lot of speculation about legal consequences from environmentalists and criminal attorneys alike

According to news reports, it is just a matter of time until Federal investigators file criminal charges against one or more of the companies involved in the Gulf of Mexico spill. That means that penalties might very well exceed the current $75 million cap on civil liability. There is no cap on criminal penalties. Thus the consequences for the companies and their officials can be enormous, as criminal lawyers explain.

Criminal Charges Do Not Require Showing Intent

The Miami Herald offered this report:

"There is no question there'll be an enforcement action," said David M. Uhlmann, who headed the Justice Department's environmental crimes section for seven years during the Clinton and Bush administrations. "And, it's very likely that there will be at least some criminal charges brought."

Such a likelihood has broad legal implications for BP and the two other companies involved - not the least of which is the amount of money any responsible party could be required to pay. The White House is asking Congress to lift the current $75 million cap on liability under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, but there's no cap on criminal penalties. In fact, prosecutors in such cases can seek twice the cost of environmental and economic damages resulting from the spill.

Under the Federal Clean Water and Air Acts and other legislation, even an accidental spill of this size can lead to charges of misdemeanor negligence charges. Legislation protecting migratory birds offers prosecutors very broad discretion, as Florida defense attorneys can tell you.

Where Will the Blame Be Laid?

As the Miami Herald report continued: "If it happens, then you can charge it," said William Carter, a former federal prosecutor of 14 years who headed the environmental crimes section for the Los Angeles U.S. attorney's office. "There's no intent required."

Fingers are being pointed. BP officials have gone on the record stating that the explosion was due to equipment owned by Transocean. The question of Halliburton’s work on cementing the Deepwater Horizon drill hole has also been raised. Halliburton and Transocean officials are not commenting publicly, probably advised to remain silent by their legal counsel.

What Would You Do If It Were YOUR Firm?

What would you do if your firm were to be charged with violating environmental protection laws, be they federal or state? As soon as you suspect your firm may be so charged, you need to consult with a Miami criminal attorney experienced in these cases. Early intervention could possibly result in lesser charges and the strongest defense possible.

The ABCs of Grand Juries

2010-05-13T12:24:00.001-07:00

If you are called as a witness before a federal or state grand jury, your heart may skip a beat given what you may have seen on television. What do you need to know first? Here are the basics of the grand jury system from the American Bar Association. If you suspect you may be indicted, you will want to avail yourself of the services of a criminal attorney.

The modern grand jury serves primarily to review evidence presented by a prosecutor and determine if there is probable cause to indict. Thus there is no need for the jury to hear all of the evidence—just enough to determine probable cause. The current system, based on a centuries old protection against royal abuse, certainly has its critics, who complain that it serves as a rubber stamp for prosecutors, while allowing extraordinary, almost unrestricted powers of investigation.

How Long Does a Grand Jury Sit?

A grand jury is required for federal criminal charges, whereas only about half the states use them. In every federal jurisdiction, for most cases, grand juries sit during weekdays for a month. For highly complex cases (e.g., organized crime, drug rings, and political corruption), “long-term” juries are impaneled for as long as three years. Grand jurors are drawn from the same lists as other jury panels, but are not screened for biases.

What Is the Grand Jury’s Role?

While independent in theory, the grand jury hears only cases brought to it by the prosecutor, who selects the witnesses, awards immunity, questions witnesses, and then decides if he or she has enough evidence to seek an indictment. The basic job of the grand jury is simply to judge what the prosecutor has produced. There is not even a requirement that they be read instructions on the law, and so that seldom happens.

Why the Secrecy?

The controversial judicial secrecy during the proceedings was originally to protect the jurors from outside pressure; today it also serves to prevent the escape of those who may be indicted and to encourage people to testify more freely. It also protects the privacy an innocent person who may be investigated. Note that while the jurors are bound to secrecy, witnesses are not.

Who Must Testify?

Anyone can be compelled to testify before a grand jury, without showing probable cause, and usually without the need to show that the person even has relevant information. Unless a witness can claim special privilege, she or he must answer all questions. (“Special privilege” means one does not have to testify against one’s spouse, share privileged information from legal clients, or testify in a self-incriminating manner.) However, lawyers can be compelled to share information that pertains to the client’s ongoing or future crime or fraud. Any witness who refuses to testify may be found in contempt of court and may be subject to incarceration.

While federal witnesses may consult criminal lawyers, they may not have their lawyers present in the grand jury room. They can interrupt their testimony, however, to consult with their lawyer outside the grand jury room. Some states do allow the attorneys to accompany their client—but in some cases are merely allowed to observe without advising.

If you need the counsel of a Miami or Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney, check our prior post about how to select the one that will serve your needs best.

5 Best Practices for Hiring a Criminal Lawyer

2010-04-09T09:46:00.001-07:00

There are many, many criminal lawyers in our fair country. There are probably dozens of them within your area, even in quite small country towns. If you are looking for representation in a criminal case, today we look at the tactics you can use to sort through the variety of lawyers that are available to you, and decide which one will be best placed to take your case.

Look for professionalism first, friendliness second
I'm not saying that you need to hire a complete hardcase criminal lawyer who treats you like dirt. However, I am saying that you need to consider your lawyer's professional credentials first, and their personality second. You'll be receiving quite a decent bill at the end of the case … you want to give yourself the best chance of winning, not find a new friend.
Interview based on references
Ask around all of your friends and family members, checking whether any of them have any recommendations for lawyers for your case. A personal recommendation should go a long way. Do remember that the same lawyer who helped your sister fight for custody of her children might not be qualified to handle your criminal case, though.
Search on the web
The internet is an excellent way to get access to a lot of information about a particular lawyer, without spending any money on phone calls. Make a shortlist of attorneys in your area, and start narrowing the choices based on:
- Their legal areas of specialty
- The professionalism of their site
- Their published past results
Ask about paralegals and assistants
Look for an attorney that has a staff of assistants and paralegals - there is a lot of legwork involved in some cases for criminal lawyers, and if you must pay full attorney's rates for every one of those hours the bill will grow like a weed. Look for slightly bigger firms that have assistants to reduce your bill, but maintain quality.
Set up a fee schedule
There are many different ways of paying criminal lawyer fees - make sure that your attorney's usual arrangement suits you.

Florida's Federal Defense Attorney

2010-03-09T09:38:00.001-08:00

Are you currently facing charges in your life where you have been arrested or accused of one or more criminal charges ranging from financial issues to personal interest issues? Perhaps you have been called as a witness in a case held before a grand jury? Either legal matter can damage your life and your reputation. Now you have a federal criminal defense attorney who can help you when it comes to defending your social status, assets as well as your professional reputation. Selecting an attorney that has defended the rights of citizens in a variety of cities in Florida and one who has the experience and knowledge you need can be the difference between protecting your freedom as you know it and your lifestyle or risking it all in one case.

Defending Florida citizens in Miami, Fort Lauderdale as well as West Palm Beach for years has given this attorney the knowledge and compassion you and your family or business need during this time. There is no need to settle for less when the best criminal attorney is just a step away. Having the experience in representing entrepreneurs, fellow attorneys, stockbrokers, bank officers, CEOs and other high profile professionals allows him to appreciate the loss or losses you are facing in social status as well as reputation and perhaps financially. You can rest assured that your case will be handled as if the reputation of his law firm were at stake and with the discreetness you deserve.

Being arrested or accused of white collar crimes can tarnish your life and the life of your family and business. There is no need to take chances where your future is at stake. Do not fall victim to an unjust ruling or accusations. Take advantage of the service of a law firm that can assist you in saving your social status, professional status and financial status. You have access to on line information concerning the Florida law firm as well as the ability to speak first hand with your future attorney regarding any questions or concerns you may have in his ability to handle your case prior to obtaining him. Getting to know your attorney and his abilities as a federal criminal defense attorney will give you the comfort you need when working side by side with him in protecting your life and the life of your business and loved ones.

Questions About Miranda Rights Answered

2010-02-16T14:51:00.000-08:00

Most of us are familiar with the opening lines of the Miranda Rights statement from watching the cop and criminal lawyer shows on television. "You have the right to remain silent," and so on. However, that is where most people's familiarity with the Miranda rights ends. Today we have criminal lawyers answer six common questions about this well-known statement.

When do the police have to read Miranda Rights?

A person suspected of a crime must be read their Miranda Rights prior to a custodial interrogation -- that is, a questioning session at the police premises. This means that:

If the police feel they have enough information to make an arrest after a non-custodial questioning session, they can make the arrest without reading Miranda Rights.
If you are just answering question in your home or on the street, but have been told you are free to leave, police don't need to give the Miranda speech.

Can what I say be used against me in court if police didn’t read me my Miranda rights?

If the statements were made voluntarily, it is usually admissible in court. You don't have to say anything -- but if you do, it is admissible.

Won’t my silence be used against me anyway?

If you have been read your rights, remaining silent cannot be used against you in court. However, if you have not been read your rights and remain tight-lipped from the moment police ask you a question, it can be argued that your silence (prior to being read your rights) indicates that you knew the police were going to arrest you, and implies guilt.

How do I avoid this conundrum?

Try to prompt the police person's reading of your rights, by saying something like "I have heard that I should always talk to an attorney before talking to the police, is that true?" The police should read you your rights at that point, and any silence from then on cannot be used against you in court.

Will I be treated worse by police if they think I am guilty?

No, you should not be. Many people are worried about the police thinking they are guilty - they shouldn’t be. The only people that your appearance of guilt or innocence should natter to are judges and a jury if applicable. Always request a criminal lawyer before answering police questions - getting legal advice should never be seen as a bad idea.

Reduced Criminal Penalties for Corporations on the Way?

2010-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

Our penalty and sentencing guidelines are constantly under review, as the number of offenders in a particular crime changes, as governmental focus changes, and as the prisons fill, and them empty again. It seems that in the area of white collar crime, criminal attorneys may soon be seeing lighter penalties for corporations -- however, it is unclear what will happen to individuals.

The prompt -- Arthur Anderson

One of the most prominent and high profile cases that seems to have contributed to this shift in sentencing guidelines is the collapse of Arthur Andersen LLP. The company was convicted of destroying evidence in 2002, and subsequently went out of business. However, in terms of the judgement's impact on people, it was mostly innocents who bore the brunt of this verdict. Thousands of jobs were lost when the company went out of business, and this is neither socially or economically desirable.

Enter the Sentencing Commission

The role of the Sentencing Commission is to advise judges on the expected penalties for certain types of crimes, and also to provide minimum and maximum limitations on sentencing. Watching the Sentencing Commission's publications lets criminal lawyers advise their clients on the possible penalties for their crime. A recent 78-page report included a proposal to reduce the liability of a company for its employees engaging in criminal behaviour.

However…

The company must have programs already in place to combat white collar crime, and generally the compliance officer for the programs must have access to the board of directors for a company, or other equivalent body for smaller companies. The company must also be the ones to report the misconduct to the authorities, which would clearly indicate that it has no part in the alleged activities.

Fort Lauderdale criminal attorneys are supporting the proposal -- it certainly seems to work towards a more just penalty system in our country.

Email, Twitter, Faceboook - Not the Lock and Key of White Collar Crime

2010-01-16T17:54:00.000-08:00

White collar crime can be a difficult area of defense for general criminal attorneys -- this is one of the reasons that you'll find specialists in the area. Much of the evidence in white collar crime relates to intent or knowledge, which can only be proven with recordings of conversations, letters, and witness accounts of relayed information. Increasingly, electronic methods of recording information are subject to scrutiny in criminal trials; these might include emails, or even ephemeral methods of relaying information such as Twitter and Facebook. However, it seems that prosecutors are not set to have the success that they expected by seizing email records; a recent case explains the precedent win for criminal attorneys.

The Bear Sterns Verdict and Impact

Two hedge fund managers at Bear Sterns were recently found not guilty on all of their fraud charges. The prosecution case was that they had lied to investors, informing them that the prospects seemed optimistic in order to prevent them from pulling out their funding, when in reality they were close to spent.

Obviously, some key aspects of the case to be argued over by criminal attorneys would include whether the defendants were in fact optimistic about the fund's future or not; and whether their comments to investors were an accurate representation of their feelings. Without the widespread ability to record a person's thoughts at every second of the day, prosecutors are turning to expressions of thought in forms like email to help prove their case.

Is Email the Lock and Key of White Collar Crime?

This is where a jury of a person's peers plays such a key role in determining the apportionment of justice. Some of the defendant's emails may have indicated some level of doubt about the viability of the hedge fund. However, the jurors understood that not every email represents the entire truth, nor does it necessarily equate to a balanced and measured view of reality or a cross-section of the defendant's brain at any particular time.

Expert white collar criminal attorneys will be paying a lot of attention to this case, and using the finding for their own defendants in the future.

Are Criminal Lawyers' Clients Pressured into Pleading Guilty by Plea Bargains?

2010-01-04T09:48:00.001-08:00

In a recent criminal trial, Judge Cormac Carney actually voided a guilty plea. As incredible as it sounds, although the defendant had actually said "Yes, I committed the crime and am willing to be punished for it," when the judge reviewed the facts of the case, he believed further investigation was needed. Today we are exploring why this might happen, and the challenges for criminal attorneys and their clients in deciding whether to take a plea bargain or to fight unfair charges.

What is a Plea Bargain?

In a plea bargain, the prosecutor offers some sort of benefits to an alleged criminal, in exchange for them pleading guilty. Much as to outsiders, this seems to flaunt the idea of justice (after all, shouldn’t people simply receive a sentence fit for their crime?), if every criminal case went to trial the court system would effectively be crippled.

In some cases, plea bargains might involve a reduced sentence. In other cases the charge is downgraded, from burglary to attempted burglary, for example.

The Real Controversy

There is controversy among law scholars, the general public and criminal lawyers as to whether plea bargains should even exist. We mentioned earlier that they seem a naturally unjust way to work, favoring practicality over true justice. But the issues run deeper than the simple possibility of letting some criminals out of prison before society believes they should be, as we can see from a real life case.

A Recent, Real Life Case

In a recent, real life case with criminal attorney Gordon Greenberg and former Broadcom founder and defendant Henry Samueli, the defendant entered a guilty plea which was reversed by the judge. The plea bargain was signed by Samueli on the understanding that he believed he had broken the law. However, this belief was based on a distortion of evidence by the prosecuting attorneys. Samueli's criminal lawyer may have advised him of this, or he may have only had access to the prosecutor's evidence.

What can be done about the situation? A plea bargain can sometimes make good sense for a defendant -- but there are plenty of gray areas that exist. Choose a criminal attorney who is a true expert in the crime field you have been charged with, and listen to their advice to avoid ending up a victim of the plea bargain system.

Inconsistent Penalties and White Collar Crime: What Are Your Rights?

2009-11-30T20:37:00.001-08:00

Two cases that recently came to light in the Wall Street Journal highlight what could be perceived to be failings of our legal system -- two fairly similar fraud cases where the penalties were radically different. Florida criminal attorneys and their clients are at the mercy of judges' temperaments more than ever before, with the removal of sentencing regulation in some areas of the penal code. We look at this disparity, what causes it and what your criminal attorney can do if you feel you have received an unfair sentence.

Case 1: Michael Riolo
Michael Rioli, of West Palm Beach Florida, was found to be running a fraud scheme that cheated its investors out of around $15 million, early in 2009. His Florida criminal attorney represented well and advised Mr Riolo to hand in his computers and records as evidence to assist prosecutors, which he did. However, the judge in question handed out a 24.5 years sentence for the $15 million fraud.

Case 2: Michael Regan
Michael Regan ran a hedge fund in Massachusetts, and was also found to be defrauding investors. This time the sum in question was around $9 million, and victims included a widow and several elderly citizens. He also assisted prosecutors by handing in his evidence, and received only a seven year sentence.

Why the difference?
The difference is not due to the quality of their criminal attorney representation, but rather to two separate Supreme Court cases in 2005 and 2007 which mean that judges now have greater freedom to depart from sentencing guidelines. The point of the new laws was to give judges greater potential to ensure justice is served according to the individual merits of the case. Yet criminal attorneys are seeing cases that are superficially very similar receiving radically different sentences.

Statistics
Preliminary statistics indicate that on average, judges are giving longer sentences for white collar crimes, while social crimes are receiving fairly similar sentences across the country.

What can you do?
There is currently an inquiry running as to whether the new guidelines have created inequities and unwarranted disparities in the sentencing system. However, clients do not need to wait for the outcome of the trial - your Florida criminal attorney can explore all legal avenues and let you know whether you have a good case to appeal a sentence.

The Law and You: Child Porn

2009-11-30T20:09:00.001-08:00

The internet has made many things in our life easier -- shopping, keeping in touch with distant friends and family, researching, working - everything that counts. Unfortunately it has also made it infinitely easier to break the law. With the prevalence of porn on the internet and the lack of filtering by porn sites of legal from illegal material, you may be needing a criminal lawyer for something you didn’t know you were doing wrong. Miami criminal attorneys with experience in child pornography laws explain the basics.

The facts
The definition of child pornography in the US comes from Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 100, §2256. It designates a 'child' as any person under the age of 18, and for an image or video to be classed as pornography it must contain:
(i) sexual intercourse, including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital, or oral-anal, whether between persons of the same or opposite sex;
(ii) bestiality;
(iii) masturbation;
(iv) sadistic or masochistic abuse; or
(v) lascivious exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person

The inclusion of simulated sex makes these laws much broader -- easier to be charged under, but in some cases easier for a criminal attorney to defend. Publishing the appearance of a minor being engaged in sexual misconduct can also be prosecuted under US law -- so, for example, adult websites displaying models (even legal-age ones) in pigtails, surrounded by stuffed animals and with heavy makeup making them look younger could actually be prosecuted under child pornography laws. People viewing this type of images would also be classed as consuming child porn, and may need criminal attorney services.

The First Amendment protects distribution of adult pornographic images, but not those of children.

Laws can be used against children also
In the US in the last 12-24 months, there have been a spate of cases involving teens taking nude self-portraits and distributing to partners or friends. For example, Florida criminal attorneys recently defended a 16-year-old girl and her 17-year-old boyfriend who faced court after a teacher accidentally uncovered nude images of the girl on the boy's phone. The photos were shared with nobody else, yet the teens were charged with producing, directing or promoting child porn -- even more serious than consumption of child porn.

Finding the Right Fort Lauderale Criminal Attorney

2009-11-10T19:27:00.000-08:00

When playing golf here in Fort Lauderdale with clients or colleagues, whose name is mentioned when talk turns to hiring a criminal attorney? Chances are, the professionals in your foursome haven't yet been faced with that necessity.

If that distant possibility becomes reality, however, you'll need a trustworthy referral, fast. Here's how to quickly judge which Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer will best represent you.

You may already be putting on the brakes, denying the possibility of future prosecution. With today's complex laws governing medicine, banking and other professions, though, it's possible to find yourself under investigation without deliberately committing a crime.

And so, just as you build your referral network for other services, it's a good idea to have someone qualified in mind to call should you find yourself in need of a criminal lawyer. If you're like most professionals, you may be assuming you can call on those golfing buddies for an acceptable referral.

The first thing to remember is that, unless your colleagues have actually worked with a criminal lawyer, they may be basing their referral on secondhand knowledge. If you've been charged with a crime, you need to know the person representing you has specific experience defending against similar charges.

For example, a Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney who specializes in domestic violence or drug cases may have never defended a client accused of white collar crime. Even more importantly, professionals accused of bank fraud, insider trading or crimes likely to trigger a grand jury investigation require the services of an experienced Federal criminal defense attorney.

Once you've received a referral, research that criminal attorney by asking the following questions:

1. How much experience do they have working with defendants in cases like yours?

2. How successful has that specific history as a Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer been?

3. What resources do they have available to ensure a strong defense in your case?

4. Into what courts are they admitted to practice (US Supreme Court, Federal Courts, or US Tax Court, for example)?

5. How have they been ranked by their peers? Their Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register ranking is a good measure of their professional standing among other attorneys.

The answers to these questions will enable you to discern whether or not a Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney to whom you've been referred is actually appropriate to defend you. By taking the time to learn more about a potential defense attorney, you can be assured of the proper defense before the need ever occurs.

Why Your Medical Office Needs a Criminal Attorney for FCA Violations

2009-10-31T20:12:00.001-07:00

There's no question that healthcare billing to federal health programs is under intense scrutiny. Fraud within programs such as Medicare and Medicaid was the impetus behind the Federal False Claims Act (FCA), which spells out guidelines and penalties for prosecuting fraudulent healthcare practices. The threat of prosecution under the FCA has sent many a healthcare provider in search of a criminal attorney.

In the past, a billing from your office to Medicare, Medicaid or other federal health program that included errors might have been seen as just that, a billing error. It might have been corrected by the payor bringing the error to your billing department's attention, or within your own internal audit system.

Today, however, erroneously billing a federal health program such as Medicare or Medicaid is taken very seriously, and legal action is often initiated against the medical provider. Whether represented by a criminal lawyer from Toledo or a Miami criminal attorney, those providers need adequate legal representation to avoid serious civil and criminal penalties.

If your medical office isn't up to date on what might be pursued as a fraudulent billing violation under the FCA, it could be headed for serious legal trouble. Here are just a few of the reasons the government might pursue prosecution against your practice:

* Deliberate duplicate billings
* Misrepresenting dates, diagnoses or descriptions of services
* Charging separately for services bundled under reimbursement agreements
* Billing for non-covered services
* Billing for services not rendered

In a busy medical practice, even with the best billing practices in place, health care billing errors can occur. When they occur in billings to federal health programs, however, the consequences can be disproportionately painful.

Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney clients, for example, have reported the devastating impact the threat of legal action of this type had on their medical practices before being represented by a criminal lawyer versed in this type of defense.

As a responsible, ethical medical care provider, you do your part to help keep federal health program abuse and fraud under control. You have strong billing practices in place and your staff is well-trained.

Should errors within federal health program billings, however, result in threatened prosecution under the FCA, your first call should be to acriminal lawyer with strong experience in this type of defense. Securing such adequate representation could make all the difference in your medical office's ongoing viability.

In Plain English: Insider Trading

2009-10-21T12:24:00.001-07:00

Insider trading is considered a serious white-collar crime by most judges, and also by the general public. Unfortunately, the recognition of one's own actions as insider trading rarely occurs to people. In the case of a stock price that is going to drop, people see it merely as self-preservation; in the case of a stock price that is going up, many people see it as getting in on the ground floor or simple luck. Many of these people end up needing experienced criminal attorneys because they followed their instincts. Here we are reviewing insider trading definitions and laws.

What is insider trading?

Insider trading means that a person is either buying or selling stock options based on information that is not generally known to the public. The law sees that losses and gains in the stock market should be regulated more by good investment practices on the part of the investor than by any inside or privileged knowledge. This is where these cases come in to the hands of criminal lawyers.

Insider trading relates to both buying and selling

Insider trading can be enacted equally innocently (that is, without knowledge of the action's status as a federal crime), from either side of the fence. Whether you buy or sell stock with inside information, though, it is equally illegal. For example, if you work at a company that is about to release a new product with high sales potential (but is still secret), and purchase a large number of shares just prior to the release, it is considered insider trading. If you work at a company that has just sustained a massive loss and sell your shares just before the news becomes public, it is also considered insider trading by criminal attorneys and judges. However, intent can go a long way towards mitigating the crime in the court's eyes.

What law does it come under?

There is no specific law that forbids insider trading, but it is generally recognized as a violation of securities law. The specific phraseology which is often pointed to is that referring to the definition and prohibition of manipulative and deceptive acts, set down in 1961.

The reason that insider trading is considered wrong is that an insider, such as a company employee or someone else with a special relationship (an accountant or other outsourcer, for example), owes a financial duty of care to the company's stockholders not to use their information of personal gain.

However, this duty extends to not telling others about the information to allow them to use it for monetary gain -- so a person who has his wife sell her shares in a company on the basis of insider information may still be convicted of the crime, depending on the individual circumstances and their criminal attorney's competence.

IRS Violations That You Could End up in Criminal Court For

2009-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Everybody who has filed a tax return knows what a huge process it is, and how much potential for error there is -- and also how much potential for exploitation. Every year, many Americans end up needing criminal attorneys to represent them in cases where the IRS is looking to prosecute for violations of tax law. Today we are looking at several violations of the tax code that could see you looking up a criminal lawyer.

Legal source tax crimes

This group of crimes is the one that catches most people. Some people believe that the tax laws are wrong, and therefore they do not have to comply with them. If you've found a way to evade tax that you are legally required to pay, you will most likely end up needing a criminal attorney. General violation categories under this umbrella include preparing your return unscrupulously, frivolous filing, not filing a tax return, and Questionable Refund Program cases.

Illegal source tax crimes

If you regularly earn money through illegal businesses -- such as through illegal gambling operations, dealing in weapons, and so on -- the IRS very often has its eye on you. You may end up needing the services of a criminal lawyer expert in IRS violations if you have records of this money.

Narcotics related financial investigations

Anyone who earns money from narcotics can be prosecuted by the IRS for evading taxes - if they fail to pay them on their income. Of course, recording the source of your income will earn you a date in criminal court as well. Narcotics related crimes are separated from other illegal source income by the IRS because of the special problem that law enforcement considers them to pose in society. Without the services of an experienced criminal attorney, you are likely to end up serving harder or longer time than for other illegal source tax crime convictions.

Counter terrorism financing activities

Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, politicians have been putting strategies in place to ensure that terrorism never has the same effect on American society as it did. The truth of terrorism funding laws, though, is that they create a black and white situation out of a grey reality. Your experienced criminal attorney can help you sort these charges out.