Law enforcement in the state of Georgia frequently leads individuals to believe that every type of criminal violation is the same in how it impacts a person’s future, but this is rarely true. Crimes are classified as either felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies frequently resulting in more than one year in prison. Misdemeanors, however, often… Read More
Although you might feel that a sentence in a criminal case is an immovable challenge, there are still some options left for individuals, including an appeal. Some decisions, however, can be appealed if a conviction is unfair or a trial was improperly conducted. If there was any improper or unlawful element in your trial, it… Read More
In June of 2016, lawyers prepared for a trial for several men charged in the fatal 2014 shooting at Macon’s Wings Cafe, according to The Telegraph. The lawyers hashed through pretrial issues during the hearing at the Bibb County courthouse. The crime in question, according to authorities, involved members of the Blacc Team and Gangster Disciples… Read More
After a prisoner has spent even a short amount of time in jail, he or she may begin to wonder whether his or her release can happen sooner than expected. In these instances, many imagine petitioning for parole, going before a committee and pleading for their release. However, this option is not available to all… Read More
When beginning a federal criminal case, what often scares people the most is being unsure of what is to come, not only of the outcome but also the steps involved. This is a complex process and before you begin, you should have a complete understanding of federal criminal trials. Below is an order of events… Read More
After a defendant is convicted and sentenced, the worry becomes time spent in imprisonment. What happens when a defendant has a case for an appeal? In some instances, defendants can be released from imprisonment on bail even after they have been convicted and sentenced, while they appeal their convictions. Rules of Detainment The federal rules… Read More
On December 19, 2016, a federal appeals court overturned the convictions of former Massachusetts Probation Commissioner John O’Brien and two former deputies, Elizabeth Tavares and William Burke. In overturning these convictions, the Court ruled that the prosecutors failed to prove a scheme to favor politically connected job candidates was a federal crime. O’Brien, Tavares, and… Read More
In many criminal cases, the opportunity to take a plea will arise. This is inevitably a difficult decision for anyone to make. One must weigh the short and long term pros and cons of accepting a plea bargain. Therefore, it is imperative that a defendant understands the intricacies of taking a plea before entering into… Read More
You are the defendant in a federal criminal case awaiting your sentencing, having already been found guilty. The jury delivers the maximum sentence available and your body goes completely numb. Is this decision final? Is there any way that the sentence can be reduced? Yes. One possibility is through Rule 35. What is Rule 35?… Read More
A death penalty case from the state of Washington that had been appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States was recently rejected by the Court. However, despite the fact that it was rejected, the case still offers valuable insight into how difficult it is to overcome cases that involved ineffective assistance of counsel… Read More