Criminal Defense Practice Specialties

A summary of common criminal defense practice specialties.

-DWI and DUI Defense - Issues arising from operation of a vehicle (including cars/trucks, boats, snowmobiles, etc.) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while intoxicated or impaired. DWI and DUI charges carry a wide range of penalties and collateral consequences. If injuries are sustained, charges could include criminal vehicular operation and homicide. DWI and DUI charges can range from a misdemeanor to felony level.

-BWI Defense - Issues arising from operation of a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while intoxicated or impaired. If injuries are sustained, charges could include criminal vehicular operation and homicide.

-SWI Defense - Issues arising from operation of a snowmobile while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while intoxicated or impaired. If injuries are sustained, charges could include criminal vehicular operation and homicide.

-Wisconsin OWI cases - Issues arising in Wisconsin from operation of a vehicle (including cars/truck, boats, snowmobiles, etc.) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while intoxicated or impaired. If injuries are sustained, charges could include criminal vehicular operation and homicide.

-Sexual Crimes Defense - Sex offenses vary dramatically depending on the crime. Focuses on issues arising from sexual assault, rape, statutory rape, nonconsensual sex, sexual crime against a child, possession of pornographic images of children, prostitution, etc.

-Internet Crimes Defense - Issues arising from identity theft, computer hacking, cyber stalking, internet fraud, possession of child pornography, as well as many other types of crimes.

-Violent Crimes Defense - Crimes including homicide (murder), manslaughter, domestic violence or domestic assault, rape, theft and larceny through aggravated assault, assault and battery or terroristic threats, arson, as well as many other types crimes that are considered violent.

-Drug Crimes Defense - Crimes including drug possession, drug trafficking, drug distribution and drug manufacturing as well as prescription fraud.

-Property Crimes Defense - Crimes include criminal damage to property, theft, forgery, possession of stolen property, and credit card transaction fraud.

-White Collar Crimes - White collar crimes include many subcategories of criminal activity. They focus on issues arising from embezzlement, credit card fraud, computer/internet fraud, bank fraud, issuing worthless checks, bribery, antitrust violations, etc. Other types of issues include extortion, forgery, insurance fraud, money laundering, tax evasion and securities fraud.

-Felonies & Misdemeanors - Generally, a felony is any crime that may be punished by more than a year in prison. A felony charge might be issued for grand theft, 1st degree assault, murder, rape, kidnapping, racketeering, etc. A misdemeanor is a crime of a less serious nature. More descriptive similarities and differences between the two also help reinforce the importance of an experienced and knowledgeable attorney when faced with either of these charges.

-Minnesota Criminal Defense - Issues arising from terroristic threats, hate crimes, crimes of omission, orders for protection, harassment/stalking orders, assaults (including domestic assault), drug-related offenses, criminal vehicular operation (which can include cars/trucks, boats, snowmobiles) and well as many other types of criminal charges.

-Federal Crimes - Federal crimes constitute a violation of a statute passed by the United States Congress. Can also include crimes committed across state lines.

The information you obtain from this article is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/law-articles/criminal-defense-practice-specialties-620995.html

Defending Yourself Against Criminal Time – Defense Attorneys

Attorneys are one of the more respected careers and the one that is hated the most. It may depend on which side of the court you are. Your attorney can be the link between having a clear reputation or one that is stained forever. A criminal defense attorney, is not excused from, this type of problem or situation.

A criminal defense attorney will stand up for those who have been accused of wrongdoing. The type of crimes differs in nature and the level they are committed. Someone who has been charged with a drug crime may have been involved in selling, buying, or simple possession of the illegal drugs. A defendant who has been charged with a crime of violence that caused injury or death of another person may have done this on purpose. Being violent to women and children, prejudice, or murder for any reason is involved in this type of crime. Other crimes a criminal defense attorney deals with are sexual abuse, sexual assault, lewd acts, and robbery. Each of these has sub categories and varying degrees of offenses under it and each with its own set of laws.

The criminal defense attorney may use all the tricks in showing the evidence, juggling with point after point, and giving oral pieces to change the minds of the jury and the audience sitting in on the trial. It does not matter if you accused because you are guilty or just falsely accused; the attorney is there to do what is necessary to make you look innocent. If the accused is found to be guilty without any hope of change, the defense attorney is there to make sure you get the lesser amount of time for the crime. This is great for anyone who is facing death row because it is possible to bring it down to life in prison. For more info see http://www.findlawyershelp.com/Personal_Injury_Lawyer/ on Personal Injury Lawyer.

A criminal defense attorney does not only give the client a face in court and defend them to a not guilty plea but they can act as a counselor also. The attorney will give the client their rights and the possible amount of money, physical, or emotional effects the case will have. Anyone convicted of a crime will have a criminal lawyer on their side to find a way to get them free from legal obligations to the level of not having anything on their record at all. This is dependent on the case and will be different with each state. The defense attorney can help you petition the court for appeals, retrials, and habeas procedures to a larger court. All of which, if not done correctly, can get you into more trouble, or out of the trouble you are in.

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) is a group that is holding the responsibility of moving ahead with the important things that criminal attorneys need to be successful in America. Its dream is to provide a fair trial to any person blamed of committing a crime.

Article Source: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=168422&ca=Legal

Criminal Defense Attorneys Note Oddities in Healthcare Fraud Statistics

At the start of the new millennium, Americans were spending 1.3 trillion dollars each year on healthcare; anyone with a proper understanding of human nature recognizes that, when that much money is at stake, the unethical among us seek their personal benefit at the cost of those around them. The IRS estimates that between 3 and 10% of healthcare costs may be fraudulent. Even at minimum, that's an absolutely paralyzing $39 billion lost, including over $13 million in Medicare payments-yearly.

Obviously, something should be done. And yet, as so often happens, federal investigators and prosecutors typically rely on a heavy and injudicious hand-rather than a consistent one-when it comes to stanching the flow of money lost to healthcare fraud. The strategy appears to be to make examples of individuals, rather than bring about systemic change, which would be inconvenient and difficult.

Statistical data bears this out. According to government statistics, a mere 466 investigations of healthcare fraud were undertaken between 2005 and 2007, with only 203 cases actually resulting in sentencing. Investigation and prosecution of fraud cases is certainly a complex field, but it seems obvious that a $39 billion dollar problem can't be caused by a mere 50-60 people each year.

The same human nature that leads to healthcare fraud leads investigators and prosecutors to cut corners, attempting to solve a legitimate problem with minimal effort and personal expenditure. The problem lies in the fact that, when the focal point become individual prosecution rather than systemic change, it's entirely possible for the innocent to be greatly inconvenienced, falsely accused, or even wrongfully convicted.

Daniel Wannamaker is a board certified criminal law specialist and has 24 years of criminal trial experience with proven results as a Dallas criminal defense lawyer practicing in Austin criminal defense and Houston Texas. To learn more, visit http://www.wannamakerlaw.com

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