September 2011 - Federal Criminal Law Center

Harsh sentencing guidelines give extra power to prosecutors (part 2 of 2)

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 30, 2011
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As we discussed in the first part of this post earlier this week, prosecutors have increased leverage in determining the potential sentence of a criminal suspect due to mandatory sentencing guidelines. This can result in a dramatic difference between the sentence offered as part of a plea, and the potential sentence if a suspect decides […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 26, 2011
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In some situations, a criminal suspect may choose to accept a plea agreement because they feel there is a significant possibility that they could be convicted of the charges against them. By accepting slightly reduced charges, they may lighten their sentence while the prosecutor avoids the risk of losing the case at trial. Increasingly though, […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 23, 2011
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Despite questions from many regarding the testimony and evidence in the case, Troy Anthony Davis was executed in Georgia late Wednesday night. Davis had been convicted of killing an off-duty Savannah police officer. On the day of the execution, both the Georgia state Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court considered whether it should […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 20, 2011
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The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that a county clerk in Georgia has been sentenced to two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud. According to the charges filed against the woman, she had written checks to herself out of the Superior Court’s bank account. The investigation began when the […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 15, 2011
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Small business owners are often dedicated and highly motivated individuals who are willing to work hard and accept a certain level of risk. When this hard work and risk taking pays off, these entrepreneurs’ small businesses grow and provide an important bright spot in a shaky economy. When circumstances become insurmountable, however, the same propensities […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 12, 2011
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When prosecuting a criminal case, the government may often benefit from an assertion that the investigation was conducted by the book, using the best methods available. But a criminal defendant has an opportunity to present a complete defense and challenge this assertion. This can include an argument that the investigation was not sufficient. Recently, an […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 9, 2011
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The Atlanta based homebuilding business, Breazer Homes, has been the target of an ongoing investigation into allegations of accounting and mortgage fraud. Now the former Chief Financial Officer has agreed to repay $1.4 million in bonuses and profits from stock sales. The agreement does not require the CFO to admit or deny any allegations The […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 7, 2011
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The recording artist Clifford Harris, a popular hip-hop artist who records under the name T.I., was placed back in federal prison in Atlanta after he had been granted an early release, which would have allowed him to serve the rest of his sentence in a halfway house. Apparently, federal officials did not approve of his […]

Posted by Marcia Shein
On September 2, 2011
0 Comments

Online sites have made the process of finding a home to rent a much easier process. Sites like Craigslist and Trulia allow a potential renter to search for available apartments from across the country. This new online model for finding a rental has also created an increased opportunity for fraud. Legitimate real estate agents, investors, […]

Harsh sentencing guidelines give extra power to prosecutors (part 2 of 2)

Harsh sentencing guidelines give extra power to prosecutors (part 1 of 2)

Growing opposition to death penalty

Court clerk pleads guilty to federal fraud charges

Collegiate tour operator facing federal charges

Appeals court says defendant should have been allowed to call own expert

Alleged accounting fraud investigation resolved through restitution

Musician returned to federal prison in Atlanta after early release

Rent fraud is big business