Criminal law is a branch of law which concerns crimes which are committed against the public authority. Crime can be defined as the breach of rules or laws for which some governing authority (via mechanisms such as legal systems) can ultimately prescribe a conviction. Individual human societies may each define crime and crimes differently. While every crime violates the law, not every violation of the law counts as a crime. It is distinct from civil law, which involves crimes which people commit against each other, not necessarily against the public as a whole. Murder, for example, is covered under criminal law, because although there is a specific victim, murder in general runs against the interests of the public. By contrast, if someone fails to honor a contract, this is a matter for civil law. Punishments for crimes vary based on the severity of the crime that was committed and where the crime was committed. In the United States, crimes are classified in two main categories: felonies and misdemeanors. Felonies are serious crimes that are generally punishable by a year or more in prison (e.g., armed robbery, murder). Misdemeanors are less serious crimes that are generally punishable by less than a year in prison (e.g., petty theft, vandalism).
Consequences for those convicted of a crime can change a person’s life forever—affecting career choices, educational opportunities and personal liberties. For this reason, it is a good idea to have a skilled criminal defense lawyer on your side if you have been accused of committing a crime. A criminal defense attorney can not only help you understand your rights, but make sure those rights are protected.
In addition to protecting your rights, a skilled attorney should also be able to help you develop a strong defense for the charges you face. Contacting an attorney as soon as you are arrested or suspect you may be arrested is imperative. Having a criminal defense lawyer by your side may help you avoid mistakes that could negatively impact your case. Additionally, having an attorney on-hand early will allow sufficient time to strategize your defense and thoroughly investigate the charges you may face. Remember, a criminal record may follow you around for the rest of your life. Don’t leave your future up to fate.
White Collar:
A white collar crime is a non-violent act involving deception, typically committed by a business person or public official. Evidence in a white collar crime usually involves a "paper trail," of evidence that investigators use to prosecute the case.
Types of White Collar Crime
- Embezzlement - the taking of someone's property by a person with whom it is entrusted.
- Bribery - occurs when someone gives or takes a bribe.
- Larceny - involves taking someone's property without paying for or returning it.
- Extortion - also known as blackmail.
- Fraud - this often includes but is not limited to health care fraud and tax fraud.
- Price Fixing - an agreement between two parties to set prices for a certain product, thereby violating free market operations.
- Racketeering - the extortion of money by force or a pattern of criminal activity committed to further the interests of a criminal syndicate.
- Computer Fraud - using a computer to commit a crime.
- Obstruction of Justice - interfering with the criminal process by impeding an investigation.
- Perjury - lying while under oath in a judicial proceeding.
- Securities and Commodities Law Violations
- Environmental Law Violations
Entrapment, a situation in which government personnel present the opportunity for the defendant to commit a criminal act that he or she otherwise would not have committed.
