Certain federal and state crimes prohibit a person from imitating a document or something valuable in order to defraud somebody of money or property. These crimes fall under the umbrella of forgery. Forging an item is something that can expose you to charges of fraud and could involve stiff penalties if convicted. You might be afraid that if you reproduce something valuable, the law could come after you. However, to be guilty of forgery requires certain elements of the crime to be present. It is generally not enough to just reproduce an object. Forgery and fraud FindLaw explains that in many...
The Strong Defense
You Deserve
Clearwater Criminal Defense Law Blog
What are the penalties for check kiting?
If you are short on cash, it may be tempting to deposit a check from an account with insufficient funds into your checking account. Because your bank makes the funds you deposit available immediately, you receive a temporary loan. Even if you intend to deposit funds to cover the first check, you may be engaging in check kiting. Check kiting is an illegal scheme that takes advantage of fund-availability rules. That is, it capitalizes on the amount of time it may take a bank to realize a check is bad. Those who knowingly engage in check kiting may face both federal and state charges. What are...
What You Need To Know About Involuntary Manslaughter In Florida
The crime of involuntary manslaughter in Florida is a serious offense, and the laws surrounding it are not as simple as they might seem. What follows is a brief overview of the laws of involuntary manslaughter in Florida. Basics The western legal tradition has long recognized a difference in the severity of an unlawful killing if that killing wasn’t intentional. Athenian lawmaker Draco is believed to be the first to make such a distinction nearly three millennia ago, and it has appeared in English common law for as far back as records exist. In general, involuntary manslaughter in the United...
Does the federal government ever prosecute sex crimes?
Few criminal offenses have the potential to interfere more with your life than sex crimes. After all, if a judge or jury finds you guilty of a sex-related offense, you may face some stiff penalties immediately, including possible incarceration and fines. Depending on the nature of the offense, you may also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of your life. Most sex offenses violate state law. Therefore, you can expect state prosecutors to file charges and try to secure a conviction or negotiate a plea deal. Sometimes, though, the federal government also prosecutes sex crimes. When...
Everything You Need To Know About Embezzlement In Florida
The laws governing embezzlement in Florida are somewhat complex and not necessarily intuitive. The following article will explore embezzlement laws in Florida and what you need to know if you ever find yourself charged with embezzlement. Basics Generally, embezzlement is the act of withholding assets for the purpose of conversion of those assets by one who was entrusted to hold or use those assets in a different way. Generally the crime has five elements fraudulence, criminal conversion, property of another, lawful possession. To show fraudulence, the prosecutor must show that the defendant...
When can you carry a concealed firearm in Florida?
Concealed weapon laws vary from one state to the next, but if you wish to lawfully carry a concealed firearm in Florida, there are certain steps you must take first. Florida has concealed carry laws in place to protect the general public, and you must follow them if you wish to carry a sidearm. Per the Florida State Legislature, whether you may carry a concealed firearm in Florida depends on whether you have a permit to do so. If you carry a concealed firearm and you do not have a permit, you may wind up facing a third-degree felony charge. There are very few exceptions to this rule. ...
Charged With Credit Card Fraud In Florida? Here’s What You Need To Know!
Credit card fraud in Florida is a serious offense. Each year hundreds of Floridians are charged with millions of dollars in credit card fraud in courts across the state. What follows are the laws you need to know if you are faced with a charge of credit card fraud in Florida. Basics Credit card fraud in Florida is governed by the State Credit Card Crime Act. Broadly, the Act prohibits buying or selling of stolen or forged credit cards, using another’s credit card without authorization, and counterfeiting credit cards. Under the Act, several different kinds of payment systems are governed,...
Here’s All The Data You Need To Know On Computer Crime In Florida
Computer crime in Florida has become a growing concern, and the Florida laws on it have come into play in more and more situations. Here’s what you need to know to avoid running afoul of Florida’s computer crime laws. Basics Computer crime in Florida is defined in the Florida Computer Crimes Act. The Act divides computer crime into two areas: crimes against intellectual property, and crimes against computer users. Most (but not all) of the acts in both these areas are felonies. Intellectual Property Florida law on intellectual property computer crimes penalizes two different acts –...
What happens when you are caught with fentanyl?
People say that fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs on the market today. It is one of the leading causes of addiction and overdose. In recent years, many law enforcement agencies have been cracking down on fentanyl. If the police arrest you in possession of fentanyl, here is what can happen. Simple possession Simple possession of fentanyl is a third-degree felony in Florida. Although ultimately it is up to the judge, they could sentence you to five years in prison. Along with the five years in prison, you can get up to five years probation and a hefty $5,000 fine. The courts often...
When does a mistake on your taxes rise to fraud?
The government uses federal taxes to help fund programs and pay employees. Within the first quarter of a new year, people report income and file a tax return for the prior year to see if they paid according to the laws. The IRS is in charge of federal income tax. When a filer does not put the proper information on a tax return, the IRS must decide if that person made an error or blatantly lied. The two have very different consequences. Tax fraud basics Tax fraud occurs when a person lies or omits facts to come out ahead on a yearly tax return. This may involve paying less money, avoiding...
