Lawyers Blog

Archive April 26, 2017

Immigration Offenses

By in Offence Case Tag

Immigration Offenses

Immigration laws in this country can be hard to understand, especially if someone is new to the United States. Many immigration offense cases end in deportation or worse because people fail to seek expert legal advice. If you or a loved one has been arrested for an immigration offense, including alien smuggling, Broward County immigration offense attorneys offer the best chance for a positive result in your case.

Immigration Attorneys in San Antonio

Many people risk being mistakenly deported

Due to changes in national security policy, there has been a 65 percent increase over previous years in the number of immigrants detained, deported or placed in supervised release programs. In 2008, the number of people detained or deported in the United States for immigration offenses, including undocumented alien smuggling, totaled 378,582. (1)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) created the Secure Communities program to detect dangerous criminals. However, the program screens the fingerprints of anyone arrested by police, not just those convicted of a crime. As a result, many people risk being mistakenly detained or possibly deported. ICE advised in their own report that nearly 90 percent of the people flagged were not dangerous criminals. U.S. citizens also make up five percent of those targeted by the program. (2)

If you or someone close to you has been detained or arrested for an immigration offense in Broward County, immigration offense lawyers can provide expert legal help to protect your rights. An experienced immigration law attorney may be able to help you avoid being detained or deported in error.

Immigration offenses by the numbers

In 2004, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 140,755 people suspected of violating federal law. Twenty-nine percent (nearly 41,000) of those arrests were for immigration offenses. (4) Types of immigration arrests made during 2003-2004:

  • Illegal Entry: 83 percent
  • False citizenship: 3 percent
  • Alien smuggling: 11 percent
  • Other immigration violations: 4 percent

Immigration Offenses

Of these figures, 36,781 defendants were prosecuted. Convictions were handed down to 15,201 defendants, with 13,767 being sentenced to prison and 383 placed on probation. With immigration laws getting tougher every year, having a skilled defense lawyer on your side can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal. Broward County immigration offense attorneys will investigate the unique facts involved in your case, protect your rights, and defend your case to the best possible outcome.

Protect Yourself from Serious Penalties

Immigration offenses have serious penalties with life-altering consequences, if convicted. Immigration offense lawyers in Broward County, including the cities of Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pompano, have extensive experience in immigration law and can offer you the best chance for a good result in your case.

White Collar Crimes Defense

By in Crime Law Tag

White Collar Crimes Defense

A professional reputation, built through years of hard work, may be irreparably damaged by an accusation of white-collar crime. If you have been arrested or charged with a white-collar crime in Broward County, including the cities of Coral Springs, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano and other areas, white-collar crime lawyers may be able to help to prevent your reputation and livelihood from being ruined. It is important that you seek legal representation as quickly as possible to preserve your legal rights, as well as determining your options in a potential case.

What is white-collar crime?

White-collar crimes can include a variety of offenses. The term “white-collar crime” has come to be defined as crime that occurs in professions such as business, finance, healthcare and others. Non-violent crimes involving embezzlement, computer crime, identity theft, copyright infringement and other acts are among what we now term as “white-collar” crimes. Other examples of white-collar crimes include:

  • Bank Fraud
  • Credit Card Fraud
  • Employee Theft/Embezzlement
  • Healthcare Fraud
  • Insurance Fraud
  • Mortgage Fraud

White-Collar crimes require extensive investigation

Since the person accused of white-collar crime is usually someone who works for or has access to a business, extensive investigation on the part of law enforcement is required. If you believe that you or a loved one may be under investigation or facing charges for white-collar crime, obtaining expert representation is critical. Broward County white-collar crimes attorneys have the skills necessary to analyze the facts in your case, plan an effective defense against the charges and protect your rights.

Conviction for white collar crimes involves severe penalties

Depending on the circumstances of the case, criminal charges on the federal, state and local level may apply. A conviction for white-collar crimes may have a profound negative effect on your life. The possible consequences of a criminal conviction will depend on the charges, but may include the following:

White Collar Crimes Defense

  • Probation
  • Prison sentence
  • Significant fines and penalties
  • Restitution paid to the victim(s)
  • Public service hour requirement

White Collar Crimes Defense

In addition to facing criminal charges, the government or victim(s) may also file a civil action. Civil cases usually come after the criminal trial, and could last years. A civil action could require you to turn over profits or forfeit assets gained as a result of the crime.

When facing such daunting consequences, it becomes critical to secure representation from specialized criminal defense lawyers. Attorneys with a background in defending white-collar crimes are familiar with the process of investigating these cases. Their legal experience will benefit you in ways that may prevent serious negative consequences and help you get your life back.

Domestic Battery Charges Defense

By in Defense Law Tag

Domestic Battery Charges Defense

A domestic battery charge can create a great deal of turmoil in your life and the lives of your family and friends. The time, effort and heartbreak of fighting such a charge can devastate an entire family, not to mention the cost to your job, your home and your reputation. In many cases, an accusation is all that is needed for an arrest to be made. Once you are taken to jail, Florida law requires that you cannot be released until you are brought before a judge, which means spending at least one night in jail; possibly more.

If you’ve been arrested or accused of domestic violence in Broward County, Florida, contact the experienced lawyers at Attorney Office. They have a proven track record of successfully defending those charged with domestic battery.

Domestic Violence vs. Domestic Battery

Domestic violence is a broad, general category, and in Florida is defined as any assault or battery, sexual assault or sexual battery, stalking, kidnapping or other criminal offense that results in the injury or death of a person living in the same residence as the accused.
Domestic battery is more specific, and is defined by the state of Florida as the actual and intentional striking or touching against the will of a household member that results in that person’s injury or death by a person living in the same household.

Domestic Battery Charges Defense

Domestic Violence Attorneys

Cases of domestic violence and domestic battery are complicated and difficult for the accused, whom usually has to stay away from his or her home and family if the alleged victim resides in the same place. Often, this no contact order may remain in place until the case is resolved. In many cases, if the alleged victim works in the same place as the accused, he or she may not go to work. This can have a devastating effect on the accused, professionally and financially. Domestic violence and domestic battery cases have both a criminal and civil aspect, with the accuser able to file a civil suit after the criminal case is resolved. To reduce the chances of that happening, winning the criminal case is paramount. The accuser has less ammunition to use when the criminal case is dismissed or if you are acquitted of the charges.