Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you believe that, I have a bridge to sell you"? This famous saying comes from the wildest scam in American history. In the late 1800s, a man named George C. Parker actually convinced people that he owned the Brooklyn Bridge, and he...
Fraud cases often sound straightforward: someone lies, someone loses money and prosecutors file charges. In practice, fraud allegations can involve complex questions about intent, judgment and capacity. Mental health can be relevant because many fraud offenses require...
What appears to be a local business dispute or billing disagreement can become a federal criminal matter the moment a commercial carrier is involved. Mail fraud charges carry penalties of up to 20 years per count, and prosecutors have significant flexibility in how...
Police have increasingly used technology to track people near a crime scene. A new U.S. Supreme Court case, Chatrie v. United States, clarified how your rights apply to the practice known as geofencing. The ruling supports your Fourth Amendment right to privacy for...
Allegations tied to selling or attempting to sell counterfeit artwork, are about more than a dispute over the authenticity of a work of art. These claims can result in allegations of criminal wrongdoing. Federal prosecutors often view art fraud as a sophisticated...
Being accused of acting as a "con artist" is a serious situation with significant legal consequences. While many people associate the term with simple online scams, true fraud involves elaborate, calculated schemes to steal money or manipulate others. When these...
Mail fraud is a federal offense that carries serious consequences, including potential prison time and hefty fines. Federal prosecutors in New York pursue these cases aggressively and the charges can arise from a surprisingly wide range of situations. If you or...
Fraud is a broad term that covers dishonest conduct intended to secure an unfair benefit. In practice, fraud allegations usually fall into one of two categories: civil fraud or criminal fraud. While both can arise from the same set of facts, they differ in purpose,...
Many criminal charges relate to impulsive mistakes. People fail to consider the consequences before reacting in anger during a confrontation, for example. They may then face violent criminal charges due to their lack of emotional regulation. Other times, the state may...
A raid by state or federal officials can feel sudden, invasive and disorienting. For a business owner, the shock often combines with immediate operational disruption, reputational risk and staff anxiety. This overview focuses on what typically happens during and after...