Contrary to what some people believe, “white collar” crimes are rarely victimless. Often, people lose large amounts of money. Sometimes those losses are easy to calculate. Other times, they require some intricate calculations. Those who are convicted of these offenses...
Year: 2024
Challenging the prosecution: DNA evidence in violent crime cases
West Virginia prosecutors, like their counterparts nationwide, depend on powerful evidence to secure convictions for violent crimes like murder or assault. During a trial, this evidence is presented to a jury for careful consideration. While DNA testing has become a...
Drunk driving stops: The basics
Being pulled over by the police is troubling for most people. You may even be tempted to panic if you see flashing lights and you don’t think you’ve done anything that warrants being pulled over. If you find out an officer has stopped you because they think you’re...
Dealing with hidden assets in a high-asset divorce
When substantial assets are involved, divorce proceedings can be complex, challenging and highly contentious. One spouse may hide assets, which impacts the equitable division of property. However, hiding assets during a divorce is unethical and illegal, as it can...
What can you do to avoid an unfair divorce settlement?
Divorce can be an emotionally charged and challenging process, and you may feel overwhelmed and uncertain about how to protect your interests if your marriage is at an end. As taking proactive steps to avoid an unfair settlement is essential, it’s important to seek...
Why do prosecutors search defendants’ social media accounts?
Prosecutors often turn to the digital footprints created by defendants on social media platforms as part of their investigative and case-building processes. This modern investigative tactic is rooted in the understanding that social media accounts can be treasure...
Do I need a restraining order as part of my divorce process?
The matter of whether a restraining order is needed as part of your divorce proceedings depends on the specific circumstances of your situation. Restraining orders can help establish legal boundaries and provide a sense of security during the divorce process and...
Some criminal cases rely on junk science
Some evidence of criminal activity is relatively straightforward. There are messages between people confirming their plan to break the law. In some cases, there might be security camera footage of a particular criminal incident. Other times, police officers and...
Who drafts the QDRO in a high-asset divorce?
Property division can be a major hurdle when preparing for divorce, especially when couples share resources that they may need to rely on in the future, like retirement savings. The longer couples remain married and the more they earn during a marriage, the greater...
What constitutes bank fraud?
Bank fraud is a white-collar crime involving deceptive practices to obtain money, assets or other property owned or held by a financial institution. Each year, thousands of people get charged with bank fraud. In fact, according to the ABA Banking Journal, banking...