Syracuse Criminal Law Blog

3 billing tactics that could result in health care fraud charges

October 31, 2022

The health care industry is one of the biggest sectors of the modern economy. Despite the scope of the healthcare industry and how lucrative it can be for certain parties, it is not necessarily as profitable as people think. Medical professionals running their own small practices and trying to compete with bigger businesses often have to get a little creative. They may structure their practice differently than others in the

Can you travel abroad after getting a DWI?

October 23, 2022

Around this time of year, people are leaving New York to someplace warmer or to see family. Others need to make all-important business trips. They have their passport, their luggage is packed and they have a ride ready to take them to the airport now – there’s only one problem stopping their plans: They have a DWI. What many people don’t realize is that a DWI can hurt their chances

Common DUI defenses: Key tactics to consider

October 19, 2022

When someone tells you that they’ve been arrested on DUI charges, they may lament the fact that they are going to lose their license and have to pay hefty fines. What this person is doing is assuming that being arrested means they’re going to be convicted. But that’s not at all a guarantee. There are actually many different DUI defenses that you can consider. They all apply to various situations

Understanding the long-term impact of DWI

October 11, 2022

Facing DWI charges in New York can be a scary and overwhelming situation. Most people focus on the immediate consequences of the charge and what may happen if they are convicted. Unfortunately, few people in these situations understand the long-term impact that a DWI conviction can have on their lives. License considerations A DWI conviction can result in the loss of your license or restrictions put on where and when

Criminal evidence doesn’t work as it does on TV

September 23, 2022

You’ve likely seen a criminal investigation show that found incriminating evidence which led the detectives to the criminal. The evidence probably looked like stray hair on a chair, fingerprints on a doorknob or lipstick on a wine glass. These all can seem like clear evidence that the convicted criminal did do the crime – but, that may be far from the truth in real life. Everything you see on TV

Forensic accounting can play a role in your criminal defense

September 15, 2022

White-collar criminal charges may not sound serious when compared with violent crimes, but they often lead to major criminal consequences. Financial crimes can harm businesses or the economy as a whole, which can do a lot of collateral damage. Allegations of financial misconduct in a professional setting may very easily lead to federal charges. White-collar criminal offenses like fraud often involve federal investigation and therefore the potential of federal prosecution

How the New York drug courts help those accused of crimes

September 1, 2022

Drug addiction is a serious issue that affects not only the individual struggling with chemical dependence but also everyone around them. Despite the criminalization of numerous substances and the careful control of prescription medications, addiction is a major issue across New York. The impacts of addiction aren’t just personal. Society has to offset the damage drug use causes to individuals and the crimes that result from addiction. There is a

How do the penalties increase for repeat DWI offenses?

August 26, 2022

New York has a progressive policy for penalizing criminal offenses. If you have committed the same offense in the past, the penalties you face for a subsequent charge will be more severe than what you endured after your first guilty plea or conviction. The penalties that New York imposes for various criminal offenses reflect state statutes, your criminal record and the specific circumstances of the time of your arrest. There

Witness, subject, target or person of interest: What’s the difference?

August 19, 2022

You’ve found yourself caught up in a federal investigation of some sort – and you’re trying to figure out just how much trouble you’re really in. One clue may be how the authorities describe you. What exactly is the difference between a witness, a subject, a target and a person of interest? Witnesses Being described as a “witness” means you’re in the least vulnerable position – but don’t make the

New York cracks down on ghost guns, implementing new gun laws

August 9, 2022

We’ve been hearing a lot lately about the dangers of “ghost guns” from the president down to local law enforcement agencies. Ghost guns are called that because they have no serial numbers – making them nearly impossible to trace back to an owner if they’re used in a crime – as they often are. These firearms are often referred to as “homemade” or “personally manufactured,” even though they more likely