Dallas Texas Criminal Defense Blog

What is federal wire fraud

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Saturday, September 22, 2018.

Federal wire fraud is a serious criminal charge that can result in severe penalties. Wire fraud also often comes along with other types of federal charges that can include a variety of allegations, from drug trafficking to investment fraud.

Generally, wire fraud consists of a fraudulent scheme that intends to deprive a person or entity of property and uses interstate or international electronic transmissions to advance its purposes. Although the statute names wire, radio and television communications, current law also includes internet and cell communication. Thus, texts and online posts will typically count for the purposes of these charges.

Texas case shows health care fraud is not uncommon

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Wednesday, August 22, 2018.

In May 2018, a Texas rheumatologist was indicted on fraud charges after patients began raising concerns about the treatments he was providing. This kind of case is not uncommon; fraud makes up about 3 percent of the trillions spent on health care in our country.

What happened

Drug courts help some offenders avoid jail time

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Monday, August 20, 2018.

If you live in Texas and are currently facing criminal charges relating to drug possession, drug sales or a similar offense, you may have concerns about whether you may have to serve time behind bars, if convicted. While this is a distinct possibility, you may, depending on certain factors, be able to take part in drug court as opposed to spending time in jail. The details of your crime and whether you are a repeat offender are among the considerations that ultimately determine whether you can participate in drug court. However, if you are eligible, participating may help keep you out of prison while giving you the tools you need to fight your addiction at the same time.

Today’s jails and prisons are full of offenders who may not otherwise be there had they not had serious drug addictions that played a role in their criminal behavior. Drug courts, which involve regular drug testing and periodic appearances before a judge, seek to combat the overcrowding issue plaguing so many American prisons while helping addicts kick drug habits for good. Additionally, if you participate in drug court, you may be able to help:

Police monitor phone calls from jail

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Thursday, July 19, 2018.

One of the most common tropes on television shows about cops is that inmates are legally allowed one phone call. The truth of the matter is far more complex. The police do not have to give you a phone call at all depending on the severity of your crime and what facility you go to. In other instances, the police will give you as many phone calls as you want.

After the police arrest a person for a crime, it is paramount for that individual to be aware that if he or she does get a phone call, the cops may record it. If the police will record a call, then there will be a message before the inmate can talk that says something along the lines of how the police will record the conversation. However, a surprising number of people still admit full confessions over the phone that the police can legally use later in court.

Discussing your case with friends or relatives can backfire

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Thursday, June 21, 2018.

When you face a criminal charge, it is natural to want to turn to friends and relatives for support. You are probably scared and confused, and you do not want to go through this ordeal alone. Plus, venting about your problems may be an outlet for you.

However, discussing your case with friends or relatives can backfire. Your attorney and other people your attorney authorizes should be the only folks you trust with details about your case.

The financial costs of a criminal case

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Sunday, May 27, 2018.

Criminal charges bring numerous consequences, no matter the outcome. You may worry about how an arrest or a conviction may affect your life.

However, right now, your biggest concern may be how much your case is going to cost. The answer depends on many factors, some of which are in your control and others that are not.

Can you lose financial aid because of a drug conviction?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

College is an exciting time for many young people. If you have a child who is heading off to college this year, or within the next few years, you are probably doing what you can to help prepare your child for life without his parents. Many kids who attend college for the first time try to enjoy their newfound freedom by partying or experimenting with drugs. However, doing so can result in some very serious collateral consequences that can impact your child’s ability to continue his or her education.

More specifically, if your child is a financial aid recipient and receives a conviction for a drug crime, regardless of whether it comes from the state or federal level, you can expect him or her to lose access to that financial aid for a certain amount of time. Possession convictions, distribution convictions and intent-to-distribute convictions are among the types of drug convictions that can lead to a loss of financial aid.

The role of social media in criminal investigations

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson posted in blog on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

If you are among the many people across Texas currently facing some type of criminal charge, you may be doing everything you can to plead your case and, ideally, avoid criminal penalties. Part of this involves making every effort to avoid landing in additional trouble while you await your day in court, so you may be wise to avoid situations where you know you might find it.

Another important step you may want to take as you await your court date is to abstain from using social media, and you may also want to consider eliminating any social media profiles you have in their entirety. Why?

What should you do when you are arrested?

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson posted in blog on Friday, March 23, 2018.

Whether you were in the wrong place at the wrong time or did something you should not have done, facing the consequences of alleged criminal activity can be scary. These days, the reputation and trustworthiness of law enforcement have suffered due to their misconduct, so you may fear what will happen to you upon arrest.

The best thing to do is prepare now in case you ever find yourself in that situation. Follow these steps if a Texas officer arrests you:

The collateral consequences of a criminal conviction

On behalf of Law Offices of Frank Jackson posted in blog on Thursday, February 22, 2018.

It is no surprise that criminal activity can lead to a prison sentence, high fines and legal fees. These are the natural consequences of receiving a conviction. Sometimes they can seem like no big deal, especially to repeat offenders.

If you only focus on these effects, however, you may overlook the ways a conviction can hurt other areas of your life. Once you understand the complete ramifications of facing criminal charges, you will understand the importance of having a qualified defense attorney represent you so you can avoid them.