Posted on March 16, 2023 in White Collar Crime

If your spouse faces federal white-collar crime charges, you may be at a loss as to what to do next. This time is likely incredibly stressful and confusing for you and your spouse. As a result, if your spouse has been charged with a federal crime, there are important things you need to keep in mind to help navigate this difficult situation. If your spouse has not already done so, strongly advise them to consult with a criminal defense attorney.

Make no mistake: the feds do not fool around. As a result, your spouse may be in serious legal jeopardy. An attorney can help ensure your spouse’s rights are respected, and a positive outcome can be pursued.

Here is What You Should Keep in Mind if Your Spouse is Facing Federal Charges

Here are some things you should keep in mind, including:

• Your spouse has the right to remain silent – Your spouse has the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Encourage your spouse to exercise this right and speak only with their attorney.

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 Posted on March 09, 2023 in Federal Crimes

A federal crime is a criminal offense that is prosecuted under federal law rather than state law. These crimes may be investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and more. So, what exactly makes a crime a federal crime? If you are ever charged with a federal crime, understand that you are in serious legal jeopardy. To ensure your rights are respected and that you know your legal options, contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Everything You Need to Know About Federal Crimes

As stated at the outset, a federal crime is a crime that violates federal law. Federal law is created by congress and covers a wide range of crimes, including but not limited to drug trafficking, money laundering, bank fraud, terrorism, and more. These crimes are prosecuted in federal court and are subject to federal sentencing guidelines, which can result in harsher penalties than those under state law.

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 Posted on February 28, 2023 in White Collar Crime

Federal white-collar crimes are non-violent offenses that are generally financially motivated and may involve different types of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, and similar offenses. While these types of crimes are usually associated with high-profile cases, there are still many misconceptions about what they are, how they are prosecuted, and the potential consequences. Today, we will discuss common misconceptions regarding federal white-collar crimes. If you are ever charged with a federal white-collar crime, please understand that you are in serious legal jeopardy and should strongly consider hiring a criminal defense attorney who will work to ensure your rights are protected.

Myths Regarding Federal White-Collar Crime

Here are some common misconceptions regarding federal white-collar crime, including:

• They are victimless crimes – One of the most common misconceptions is that white-collar crimes are victimless. However, this is far from the truth. White-collar crimes can have a devastating impact on individuals, businesses, and even entire industries. For example, types of fraud or insider trading schemes can result in substantial financial losses that hugely damage people's lives. 

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 Posted on February 20, 2023 in White Collar Crime

Money laundering is a serious federal crime involving disguising the proceeds of criminal activity as legitimate funds. Money laundering is considered a white-collar crime, which many people incorrectly believe makes it less severe of an offense. However, this is untrue, as many white-collar crimes such as money laundering are prosecuted seriously and carry stiff penalties. 

It cannot be understated that if you are charged with money laundering, it is in your best interest to contact a federal crimes defense attorney who has defended clients in white-collar cases before. Your attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process while also acting as an advocate on your behalf as you work towards obtaining a positive outcome in your case.

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 Posted on February 13, 2023 in Federal Crimes

Mortgage fraud is an extremely serious federal crime that is a growing problem in Illinois and many other states across the country. It refers to a wide range of illegal activities that involve making false or misleading statements on mortgage applications to obtain a loan or a larger loan than would otherwise be possible. Some common types of mortgage fraud include loan flipping, property flipping, straw buyers, and appraisal fraud. This type of fraud can result in significant financial losses for both borrowers and lenders and damage the overall housing market. 

Today, we will look deeper into mortgage fraud in Illinois and address everything you need to know about this serious offense. Your freedom may be at risk if you have been charged with mortgage fraud. Consider contacting an experienced federal crimes defense attorney who will ensure your rights remain protected and that a positive outcome can be pursued  in your favor. 

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 Posted on February 03, 2023 in Federal Crimes

For many of us, we have accepted telemarketing scams as an annoying part of life and nothing more. While certainly annoying, you may be surprised to know that such scams are sometimes more serious than they may initially appear. In reality, many telemarketing scams may actually constitute wire fraud, a serious federal crime. If convicted of wire fraud charges, an offender may be subject to extended time in federal prison. 

It is important to understand what constitutes mail and wire fraud, as well as the associated penalties. If you have been charged with telemarketing fraud, do not hesitate to contact an experienced federal crimes defense attorney who will work to ensure your rights remain protected and that a positive outcome in your favor can be pursued in the case.

Understanding Federal Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud Charges

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 Posted on January 26, 2023 in Criminal Defense

There is a common misconception that if a crime is not violent or does not result in serious injury, it means that it is not a serious crime. However, this is not true. Non-violent crimes, such as most types of property crimes, are still serious offenses that can have a devastating impact on someone’s life, which is why you must take the situation seriously if you are charged with such a crime. 

Today, we will look at different types of property crimes in Illinois and what the associated penalties are. Suppose you have been arrested for a property crime. In that case, it is crucial that you consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who has worked with clients accused of committing property crimes. Your lawyer will work to ensure that you avoid a conviction and thus can resume your life as quickly as possible. 

What Are Some Different Types of Property Crimes in Illinois? 

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 Posted on January 17, 2023 in Federal Crimes

Unfortunately, in recent years, it seems as though hate crimes are becoming more and more common in America. Hate crimes are often motivated by race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and it is not uncommon for a hate crime to be prosecuted as a federal crime. As a result, a conviction may result in extended prison sentences and fines, the destruction of someone's reputation, and the dissolving of personal relationships. 

Today, we will explore what a hate crime is and give some examples of what a hate crime may entail. If you have been accused of a hate crime, do not hesitate to contact a seasoned hate crimes attorney who will ensure your rights remain protected and that you understand your options moving forward. 

What Exactly Is a Hate Crime? 

In essence, a hate crime is a traditional criminal offense like vandalism, assault, or even murder, motivated by prejudice against a protected group. It is not uncommon for the term "hate crime" to be used interchangeably with "bias-motivated crime." Federal laws surrounding hate crimes may involve individuals with religious, sexual, race-related, or various other prejudices. It is likely that when someone commits a hate crime, they will also be charged with an underlying offense, like vandalism or murder, and then on top of those charges, they will be charged with a hate crime. 

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 Posted on January 10, 2023 in Domestic Violence

Being charged with a violent crime like domestic violence is a grave matter that Illinois courts do not take lightly. Unfortunately, something that often plagues those accused of committing acts like domestic violence is that the public and law enforcement often act as though the accused is automatically guilty. This dangerous rush to judgment can unfairly impact the accused person and their chance of receiving fair treatment under the law. 

If you have been charged with committing acts of domestic violence, contact a knowledgeable domestic violence attorney to protect your rights and ensure they are not infringed upon. This blog will look at common mistakes people charged with domestic violence often make and how those mistakes can prove detrimental to the defendant. 

What Not to Do After You Are Arrested and Charged

You begin building your defense as soon as you are arrested. What you say and how you act during and after your arrest can and will be used against you, assuming you act improperly. Acting improperly may involve speaking too much with the police or trying to tell the police your side of the story. As soon as it is clear you are under arrest, do not speak to the police. Act respectfully and do not resist.

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 Posted on January 04, 2023 in Federal Crimes

Many of us may have heard of the terms "lying under oath" and "perjury" on TV or maybe in a movie. But only some people truly understand what these terms mean and what they entail. While lying under oath and perjury are unlawful, did you know they also constitute a federal crime? Lying under oath is strictly prohibited by federal law statutes. Suppose you have been accused of lying under oath or another federal offense; in such a case, you will need an aggressive legal defense to ensure your rights remain protected as a positive outcome is pursued in your case. 

What to Know When on the Witness Stand

When you provide testimony on the witness stand, you are legally bound to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This means that if you knowingly make false statements, you have thus placed yourself in serious legal jeopardy. Lying under oath is taken so seriously because it is considered an attempt to undermine the United States' legal system. As a result, lying under oath often leads to federal perjury charges. However, perjury does not involve refusing to answer a question or remaining silent while on the witness stand. A perjury charge cannot be brought upon someone for something they did not say. However, if you choose to remain silent on the witness stand or refuse to provide information, this may result in contempt of court charges and other negative legal consequences. 

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