Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

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At the same time, outdated federal statutes dealing with computer crimes may criminalize otherwise legal actions.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.

Drug offenses and child custody cases

Published on: April 21, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

If you have found yourself in the middle of a dispute over child custody, you may be facing an especially difficult time in your life. Unfortunately, for some people this stress and depression, along with potentially being unable to see their child, can increase the likelihood of substance abuse. The situation may then snowball out of control as someone is charged with a drug-related offense, which could have a negative impact on their child custody case, and lead to even more depression and anxiety. If you have found yourself in this position, it is crucial to go over your options and try to take steps to turn things around.

Sometimes, parents are even falsely accused of a drug crime, which is especially likely when they are involved in a custody dispute. For example, their child’s other parent may try to throw them under the bus in an attempt to win custody of the child. In some cases, a person may even be framed and falsely accused of a drug offense (planting drugs in someone’s house, etc.). There are many different issues to take into consideration, but protecting one’s rights is pivotal. Moreover, you should be committed to pursuing an outcome that is in your child’s best interests.

Fighting drug charges can be very difficult, even if they are not true or have been exaggerated. However, with the custody of your child at stake, the right steps must be taken. Our drug crimes page will offer more on the consequences of drug allegations.

When your teen is accused of a drug crime

Published on: April 14, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Drug-related charges can be incredibly hard, as we discussed in a recent blog post which looked at the challenges parents may face when they find themselves in this position. However, parents may also face difficulties if their child is accused of an offense involving drugs, from the distribution of an unlawful substance to the possession of illicit drugs. It is extremely important to handle these allegations appropriately and understand just how much is at stake. In Atlanta, and cities all around Georgia, this can be overwhelming for parents and teenagers alike. However, the way in which these cases are handled can have a major impact on a young person’s future.

When parents find out that their teenager has been charged with a drug offense, they may be angry, very stressed out, or even depressed. A number of questions may arise and the parent may wonder why their child would do such a thing. However, there are many things to keep in mind for parents in this position, from peer pressure and exaggerated allegations to charges that are untrue altogether. Moreover, these charges could have a negative impact on a teenager’s future, from applying to college to looking for a job. Because of the serious nature of drug charges, parents should support their child through this difficult time.

Preparing a strong defense is essential for anyone who has been accused of a drug crime. If you browse to our drug crimes section, you will be able to read more material that deals with drug-related offenses.

Dealing with drug charges as a parent

Published on: April 7, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

When someone is dealing with drug-related charges, the entire situation can be overwhelming and generate a lot of uncertainty, whether they are facing relatively minor charges or major charges that could result in many years behind bars. Moreover, some people may have an especially difficult time in this position, such as a parent. There are a number of ways that drug offenses could affect you as a parent, such as having a negative impact on your child custody case. As a result, it is vital to be carefully prepared for potential outcomes and do what you can to protect your future.

If a parent has to spend time behind bars because of drug charges, this can be devastating. Moreover, their children may experience negative emotions and face other problems in their life when their parent is behind bars, such as having an inability to participate in certain activities or have their parent drive them to school. As a parent, your reputation may also take a hit if you are charged with a drug-related offense and these charges could be used against you with respect to your child.

For parents, drug charges can be very stressful and some may feel completely unsure of how to handle the situation. During such a difficult time, it is vital to move forward carefully and make the right decisions. There are many factors that could impact a drug case and all options should be explored. Head to our drug crime page to read more on drug allegations.

Social media and online harassment

Published on: March 30, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

With the advent of social media, people have been able to take advantage of a number of benefits that were not previously available. For example, it has never been easier for family members and friends from across the world to stay in touch, or to meet new people online. Sharing content with a global audience has also become much easier and many people enjoy the benefits of social networking platforms, blogs, video hosting sites, and so on. However, problems related to these sites also arise from time to time, and those facing charges of online harassment may find themselves in a difficult position.

Harassment takes many forms, whether someone claims they were bullied or a parent says that his or her child was pushed to suicide as a result of someone else’s behavior. In an online environment, these issues can be especially problematic. Moreover, some people have found themselves falsely accused of online harassment. To some, these accusations may seem relatively insignificant. However, the consequences of online harassment charges can shatter one’s life, resulting in time behind bars, in some cases.

If you have been accused of online harassment, or if your child is facing these accusations, you may have no idea how to handle the situation. However, the next steps you take could have a major impact on the outcome of the case and your future. If you navigate to the cybercrime page on our law office’s site, more information interconnected with allegations of online harassment has been published.