Pretrial Diversion vs. Sentencing Alternatives in Florida

Aug 16, 2019 | Criminal

“Settling” a criminal case can mean several different things. Pretrial diversion, release conditions, a plea, and a sentence are separate decisions with different legal effects.Does diversion end the case?Eligible defendants may be offered a pretrial intervention or...
What Is Considered a White Collar Crime?

What Is Considered a White Collar Crime?

Jul 7, 2019 | White Collar

White collar crime is a broad description of generally nonviolent financial or business offenses. It is not a separate criminal charge, and a person’s job title or income does not decide whether a crime occurred.ExamplesThe FBI includes public corruption, health...
What is Money Laundering?

What is Money Laundering?

Jun 1, 2019 | White Collar

Money laundering charges concern specified transactions involving proceeds of unlawful activity. A foreign account or shell company is not required, and moving money does not automatically prove an offense.Different statutes, different elementsThe Florida Money...
Jails, Prison, and House Arrest: What’s the Difference?

Jails, Prison, and House Arrest: What’s the Difference?

May 1, 2019 | Criminal

Jail, prison, and home confinement involve different authorities and rules. A pending charge does not itself determine where a person will be held or what sentence a court will impose.Jail: local custodyA Florida county jail commonly holds people awaiting trial,...
What Is Health Care Fraud?

What Is Health Care Fraud?

Apr 1, 2019 | White Collar

Health care fraud can involve knowingly false claims or schemes to obtain payment from a health benefit program. A billing error or improper payment is not automatically criminal fraud.Examples under investigationAllegations can concern billing for services not...