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Grand Jury Proceedings

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Grand Jury Proceedings

A grand jury proceeding is a type of jury gathered to determine if enough evidence is present to indict someone accused of a serious crime. Grand juries represent very serious legal matters and are usually conducted for federal crimes or felonies at the state and county level. If you or a loved one has been called to testify or has been charged with a crime determined to be serious enough for a grand jury proceeding, seek immediate legal assistance from Broward County grand jury attorneys to ensure your rights are protected.

Secret Proceedings

Grand jury proceedings are held in secrecy. The accused does not have a right to attend these proceedings, nor can a witness have his or her lawyer present during testimony. A judge and the media are banned as well. This procedure is designed to protect the witness during testimony, but also protects the accused if the case does not go to trial. This secrecy underscores the importance of obtaining skilled representation from experienced grand jury attorneys to help guide the accused or witness through the process and protect his or her rights.

Grand Jury Facts

  • Grand juries have full power to order records and call witnesses to testify
  • The prosecutor is the only attorney entitled to submit a case to a grand jury
  • The accused and his or her attorney may not be present at the proceeding
  • Witnesses can be charged with a crime based on their testimony
  • The accused may be indicted based on a majority vote of a grand jury

Grand Jury Witnesses Need Legal Representation

If you or a loved one is called as a witness in Broward County, including the cities of Coral Springs, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Pompano, grand jury attorneys have the knowledge to advise you about what happens behind closed doors. A skilled grand jury lawyer will help you prepare your testimony. They will also offer legal advice and help you avoid potentially serious consequences that may arise because of your testimony. Seek the experienced assistance of Broward County grand jury attorneys to help protect your rights during grand jury proceedings.

Grand Jury Proceedings

Protect Your Rights

Fort Lauderdale Grand Jury Lawyers, Broward Grand Jury Attorneys, Hollywood, Hallandale Grand Jury Lawyers

Being the subject of a grand jury investigation or testifying as a witness can have a serious impact on your future. If you are convicted of charges as a result of a grand jury investigation, the resulting criminal record can have devastating consequences. It may be more difficult to find a job, obtain a loan or further one’s education. Broward County grand jury lawyers can help you through the process of a grand jury investigation and ensure that your rights are protected.

Immigration Offenses

By inOffence 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 inCrime 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.