Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

False accusations of cyberstalking

Published on: June 15, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

From fraud and theft involving the internet to offenses involving pornography, there are a variety of online crime charges people face. As with offline crime allegations, the consequences can be very serious and the allegations may not always be true. Online stalking charges, known as cyberstalking, can be particularly damaging and may cross over into other unlawful behaviors, such as identity theft and unlawful activity that is sexual in nature. Sometimes, a person may be falsely accused of cyberstalking altogether, which can virtually decimate their reputation in a very short period of time. If you have been wrongfully accused of cyberstalking or another online offense, you should protect yourself and your reputation right away.

From a restraining order to probation and even time behind bars, the potential consequences of these charges should not be taken lightly. Moreover, it is important to understand that there are many reasons why someone may falsely accuse another of cyberstalking. For example, two parents who are going through a dispute over the custody of their children may become involved in a cyberstalking case involving one parent falsely accusing the other of this offense. Or, someone may have hard feelings following a breakup or even believe that another person is guilty of cyberstalking even though someone else was responsible for the unlawful behavior. Someone may also be thrown under the bus by a former employer or co-worker, among other examples.

If you have been accused of cyberstalking, you should protect your interests and go over your rights at once. More on cyberstalking charges is available on our cybercrime page.

Other consequences associated with white collar offenses

Published on: June 9, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

We recently looked into the different ways in which white collar crime charges can spell disaster for one’s career. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that these allegations can disrupt your life in other ways, even if you are ultimately found innocent. For example, you may be involved in a case that receives a great deal of public attention and your reputation could be damaged beyond repair, which is especially problematic in the digital age due to social media and online news sites. If you have been charged with a white collar offense in Atlanta, it is crucial to identify the proper approach right away.

Not only could you struggle to find work in your field due to these charges, but the financial penalties may be overwhelming. Furthermore, you may be sentenced to prison, which could take you away from your loved ones and create an overwhelming amount of distress. The damage to your reputation may adversely affect your future in all sorts of ways. You might lose close friends or encounter problems with some of your family members solely because of these accusations. Moreover, you may face health problems related to high levels of stress and other consequences due to the charges.

Because of the serious nature of white collar crime charges, being aware of all options on the table and handling your case in the most practical manner is paramount. If you view out white collar defense webpage, more material concerning white collar crime allegations is available.

Cybercrime charges and your career options

Published on: June 1, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

We have gone over some of the different consequences associated with cybercrime charges on our blog, from time behind bars to a shattered reputation. In this blog post, we will look into how your career may be impacted by cybercrime allegations. In Atlanta and all over the state of Georgia, being charged with a cybercrime can interrupt your career in many ways and may even push you out of a particular field altogether. As a result, it is crucial to protect your reputation and employability by ensuring that the right approach is taken in the courtroom.

Cybercrime offenses take many forms, from bullying and terrorism to those which are sexual or financial in nature. Depending on the field you are employed in, these charges may make it very hard for you to find work. In some cases, you may not be able to pursue your career goals altogether. When your career is thrown off-track, you may run into other difficulties. For example, you may become depressed because you will no longer be able to pursue something you have been working toward for years. Or, you could face financial troubles because you need to seek employment in a field that pays far less.

We are aware of the intense emotions and anxiety that some people facing cybercrime charges go through and believe that it is essential to know exactly what your legal options are. Various avenues may need to be explored and there may be some details that could dramatically impact the case outcome. Our cybercrime section gives you more material related to online offenses.

Billing practices that could lead to health care fraud charges

Published on: May 31, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Health care providers with private practices in Georgia may encounter many situations where failing to follow proper procedure when it comes to billing could land them in hot water. In fact, as Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute explains that certain actions could be health care fraud.

To prove fraud, a prosecutor would have to show that the provider intentionally deceived someone with a plan to cause damage. In the case of billing issues, the damage is typically financial. The someone could be a patient, but it could also be an insurance company or even the federal government that is defrauded, if the issue involves Medicare.

The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association notes that one form of billing fraud involves charging for procedures that were not performed. This could be adding a procedure to an insurance claim that includes legitimate services. Or, it could be using patient information to create an entirely false insurance claim.

Could legal computer actions be criminalized?

Published on: May 29, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

While they hardly ever garner headlines, the prosecution of computer crimes has grown exponentially over the past five years. This should not be surprising considering how online commerce has revolutionized the way we do business in the United States and across the world. Because of this, so many more computers are connected through the Internet, and so many more potential victims are at risk.

At the same time, outdated federal statutes dealing with computer crimes may criminalize otherwise legal actions. This post will include the most common statutes that alleged hackers could be prosecuted under.

Computer Fraud and Abuse Act – Committing fraud through a computer should seem straightforward. Unfortunately, the plain language in this statute may seem confusing because of the strained definition of what type of computer access or actions can be criminalized.

White collar offenses and your career

Published on: May 18, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

When white collar crime charges surface, the situation must be looked at from a number of angles. Aside from carefully going over the details involved in the alleged incident, someone facing these charges should be aware of just how disruptive a negative outcome in court could be. In fact, simply being charged with a white collar offense can be disastrous with respect to one’s career and their reputation in the workplace and their local community. As a result, these charges must be handled properly, since many people have had their lives thrown completely off-course, even when the charges were untrue, in some cases.

There are many different types of white collar crime offenses, from embezzlement to fraud and forgery. Each case will vary, with some far more serious than others. However, all white collar crime charges can be problematic with respect to a person’s line of work. Sometimes, these allegations lead to unemployment, while others find themselves unable to land a job in their desired field because of their record and reputation. These challenges can bring financial devastation and high levels of anxiety, but someone who is facing white collar offense charges should waste no time when it comes to preparing for court.

In some cases, there are details that may seem minor but can have a huge impact on the outcome of the case. An individualized approach to white collar crime charges is crucial and our page which covers this area of law has more for those accused of white collar crimes.

Handling false online crime allegations

Published on: May 11, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

People are falsely accused of many different types of offenses for a wide variety of reasons, whether they have a former partner who wants to exact revenge or someone mistakenly believes that they were responsible for a crime. In the digital era, some of these false accusations arise and involve online crimes. There are a wide variety of offenses involving computers and the internet that people may face, whether they involve pornography, bullying, or are financial in nature. Unfortunately, these charges can bring devastating consequences for those who have found themselves in this position, even if they never committed a crime in the first place.

Online crime charges can be especially difficult for various reasons. For example, illegal activity may have been conducted on a person’s network or computer without his or her knowledge or consent. Or, someone might intentionally plant illegal material on a person’s computer in order to frame them. To make things even more complicated, these offenses often carry a very harsh stigma and people may find that they are treated as a pariah, even if they are innocent altogether. As a result, if you have been falsely accused of an online offense it is critical to protect your reputation by immediately going over your options and taking steps to bring the truth to light.

We fully understand that online crime accusations can be unnerving, but you may have certain options. Visit our page on cybercrime to read more on the topic of false accusations of online offenses.

Destroying public mailboxes and other federal offenses

Published on: May 4, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

If you have been accused of destroying a public mailbox, you may be unsure of what to do next. While some may assume that these charges are relatively insignificant, harsh consequences may follow. Moreover, there are many other types of federal offense charges that people find themselves facing, which also carry serious ramifications. If you have been accused of public mailbox destruction or any other federal offense, it is pivotal to go over your legal rights and carefully evaluate your different options.

When it comes to allegations of destroying a mailbox, each case is different. For example, one person may be facing charges that are completely untrue, while another may be dealing with a case where certain details have been exaggerated greatly. In other instances, someone may have accidentally destroyed a mailbox or they may not have realized that such behavior could lead to such a serious situation. Regardless, it is pivotal for anyone who has been accused of this offense to understand what their rights and options are. From financial penalties to a damaged reputation and difficulty finding work in certain fields, there are many different reasons why addressing these allegations appropriately is so crucial.

When it comes to charges over public mailbox destruction, people in this position may not be sure which steps should be taken next. Various options may need to be considered and it is pivotal to carefully assess all of the details surrounding the case. Our federal crimes page has more related to destroying a public mailbox.

What to know if you are accused of Medicare fraud

Published on: May 1, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

The Department of Justice states that health care fraud costs the country tens of billions of dollars every year. With so much money at stake, it is no surprise Medicare fraud cases are drawing increased attention from the government. Medicare fraud is a federal crime, and the government has a large budget to pursue individuals accused of fraud.

With your work as a medical professional, you have treated many patients over the course of your career. Occasionally, clerical errors happen. Unfortunately, these types of errors could provide cause for the government to open a Medicare fraud investigation against you.

Not only would an investigation damage your reputation, it could affect your ability to serve patients. If convicted of Medicare fraud, you cannot accept patients that use Medicare. As a responsible medical professional, you need to understand how to protect yourself from such charges.

What are some cyberbullying examples?

Published on: April 28, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

On this blog, we have discussed various issues related to cyberbullying charges, from false allegations of this offense to some of the consequences that those facing allegations may experience. Furthermore, some people do not realize that certain types of online behavior are illegal and constitute cyberbullying, which is why it is important to review some of the different examples of this offense. Whether you are a parent whose child is accused of bullying another person over the internet or you are facing these accusations yourself as an adult, the repercussions of cyberbullying charges can be very significant.

According to stopbullying.gov, there are many examples of cyberbullying. Someone facing cyberbullying charges may be accused of sharing private data that causes a victim to feel humiliated or embarrassed and it may involve the spreading of images or the sharing of messages that are false and slanderous. Cyberbullying may be carried out by using a tablet, smartphone, or computer. Moreover, it may occur in an online message board, a gaming app, a social networking site, or via text message.

With so many different manifestations of cyberbullying, it can be hard for parents to monitor their child’s behavior until it is too late. The consequences of these charges can be very damaging, so anyone facing cyberbullying allegations should take the case very seriously. Some people may think that these comments and posts are relatively harmless or will not result in serious penalties, but the repercussions of cyberbullying charges may be felt years down the road.