Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

How can you stay safe from common cybercrimes?

Published on: July 10, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

You have a down moment at work and decide to jump on Facebook to check out what your friends have been up to recently. However, much to your surprise, your password is no longer working. You have been hacked and some criminal has gotten a hold of your password and changed it, thus circumventing your security and gaining access to your personal information. What is more concerning, is that you do not know where this person is or if they have jeopardized your security elsewhere too. Fortunately, there are things you can take to keep yourself safe from common cybercrimes that happen in Georgia.

According to Norton, there are many different types of cybercrime including the following:

Bullying

Firearms convictions often come with mandatory minimum sentences

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

Although Georgia has its own state laws regarding the purchase of firearms, how they can be carried and how people can use them within the state, federal laws often apply when a person faces weapons charges. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, federal firearms convictions often result in mandatory minimum prison sentences.

“Mandatory minimum” means that even though judges often have discretion in determining a sentence, they cannot issue a judgment for less than the set amount for that particular firearms offense.

Anyone who commits a drug trafficking crime or a crime of violence and is carrying a firearm could be subject to a five-year minimum sentence. If the prosecutor proves to the judge or jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the alleged offender brandished the weapon, the minimum goes up to seven years, and it increases to 10 years if the offender discharged the weapon. The type of firearm affects the sentence, too. The following firearms automatically result in a 10-year sentence:

Peer pressure and drug charges as a teen

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

If you are in high school or college, or you are a young person who is surrounded by friends who like to party or push the limits, it is very important to be aware of some of the risks you may face. Aside from being hurt in a car accident, there are other ways you may suffer. For example, if your friends consume illegal drugs, you could find yourself in trouble if they are pulled over or searched by a law enforcement official. In fact, you could find yourself facing drug-related charges even if you were not taking drugs or directly participating in the unlawful behavior.

For example, your friends could call you and ask you to give them a ride. After driving them home, you may not know that they left behind illegal substances in your vehicle, which could spell disaster if your car is searched by a law enforcement official. Moreover, many teens do things solely because of peer pressure and the need to fit in. From taking illegal drugs to possessing or selling unlawful substances, peer pressure can push young people to do a number of things they normally would avoid.

It is also important to be aware of peer pressure if you are a parent. Many young people have had their lives thrown off-course due to drug charges and these cases need to be handled properly. Head over to our law firm’s section which covers drug crimes if you are interested in reading more about drug offense consequences.

CEO and former President of Theranos indicted on fraud charges

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

A big-name company is under fire after claims arose that they have been defrauding investors out of millions. Elizabeth Holmes, who serves as the CEO and founder of Theranos, is one of the people at that center of the charges. Standing by her side is the company’s former president, Ramesh Balwani. The two have been accused of securing investments under false pretenses for the purposes of growing their blood testing technology.

Here’s a look at the accusations and the strategies they plan on using to combat the charges.

The Justice Department’s allegations against Holmes And Balwani

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.