If you or a love one has been arrested or questioned about a crime, exercise your right to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. This is a simple but important action that can make a big difference between prison and freedom.
Types of Crimes
There are several types of crime a person may be charged with. Some examples of crime include:
Violent Crimes
Violent crimes encompass a wide range of criminal offenses including domestic violence, assault & battery, assault with a deadly weapon, and justifiable homicide. In a large number of these cases charges may be able to be dismissed or reduced due to special circumstances. Violent crimes are some of the most common felony charges. Each violent crime case has a unique history and that the circumstances that lead up to a criminal charge are distinct.
Sexual Assault
Unfortunately, in the criminal justice system, most people charged with sexual assault are considered guilty until proven innocent. In the criminal justice system, there has been a proliferation of false accusations in cases involving rape, sexual battery, child molestation, and date rape.
Domestic Violence
If you are facing a criminal charge involving domestic violence it is important to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. Even when spousal abuse, child abuse, and elder abuse charges are false, prosecuting attorneys take them seriously. A felony domestic violence conviction could result in two or more years in state prison and a misdemeanor conviction could result in a year sentence in the county jail.
White Collar Crimes
White collar crime is an umbrella term used when generically referencing a broad range of criminal offenses often committed by professionals. Some of the crimes that fall under the white collar crime umbrella include fraud, embezzlement, cyber crimes, identity theft, theft by swindle, insurance fraud, and ponzi schemes. In most white collar crime cases, a person is being investigated long before charges are filed. The easiest, most convenient, and cheapest way to defend against a white collar charge is to prevent it from being filed.
Convictions for white collar offenses carry significant penalties that obviously have the potential to dramatically change your life. Some of the possible results of a conviction include fines, restitution, and jail or prison.
Drug Cases
There are several types of drug offense cases. Some examples include:
- Manufacture of Drugs
- Sale of Drugs
- Drug Possession and Use
- Transportation and Importation of Narcotics
- Distribution of Narcotics
- Possession of a Controlled Substance
- Possession with Intent to Distribute
Often drug charges are brought in relation to other criminal offenses such as violent crimes, sexual assault, domestic violence, traffic offenses, DUI/DWI, murder and manslaughter, and juvenile crimes. Different drugs are likely to involve different drug charges. Some examples of drug cases include:
- Methamphetamine
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Marijuana
- Club Drugs – MDMA (Ecstasy)
- Rohypnol (GHB)
- Crack
- Hallucinogens
Traffic Offenses
Traffic offenses include excessive speeding, failure to yield, reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and other moving violations.
Juvenile Crimes
Unfortunately, more and more juveniles are being tried as adults. Juvenile crimes often include violent crimes, sexual assault, traffic offenses, and murder and manslaughter.
DUI/DWI
If you have been charged with a driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated (DWI) your driver’s license is in danger. You only have 10 days to request a DMV hearing and prevent your driver’s license from being automatically suspended.
Some of the automatic penalties associated with a DUI include:
- First DUI — Four months to one–year loss of driver’s license
- Second DUI — One to two year loss of driver’s license
- Third DUI — Three–year loss of driver’s license
- The maximum penalties for first time DUI offenders include:
- Up to six months in jail — 48-hour minimum
- $1,500 fine and penalties
- 16-week drinking driver program
- 3–5 years probation
- 2 points on your driving record
If you have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI), it’s important to contact a criminal defense attorney immediately to prevent your license from being automatically suspended.
Murder and Manslaughter
Being charged with murder and manslaughter are serious offenses. If you have been wrongfully charged with such an offense it is important that you consultant with an experienced criminal lawyer.
