Crime Definations

MURDER
Homicide is the killing of one human being by another either lawfully or unlawfully. Homicide includes murder and manslaughter, which are unlawful, and the acts of excusable and justifiable homicides, which are lawful.

Consequences for the conviction of Murder may potentially include:

• Up to life imprisonment
  
• Life in prison with or without parole
  
• Death penalty
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses for Murder may potentially include:

• Defense of others (loved ones)
  
• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Self defense
  
• Insanity/Battered woman
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate alternatives to jail
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

RAPE
Two persons engaged in the act of sexual intercourse; the act of intercourse was against the goodwill of the alleged victim; the two persons were not married to each other at the time of the act of sexual intercourse; and the act was accomplished by means of force, violence, duress, menace, or fear of immediate and unlawful injury to the alleged victim or another person.

Consequences for the conviction of Rape may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Sex offender registration
  
• Loss of the right to vote
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Mandatory AIDS testing
  
• Court ordered rehabilitation
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Rape may potentially include:

• Consent
  
• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence/mistaken identity
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

MOLESTATION
A person who commits any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body of a child, with the specific intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust or passions or sexual desires of that person or child.

Consequences for the conviction of Molestation may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Sex offender registration
  
• Loss of the right to vote
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Mandatory AIDS testing
  
• Prohibition from being alone with minors
  
• Court ordered rehabilitation
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Molestation may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence/mistaken identity
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

THEFT/ARMED ROBBERY
A person took the personal property of some value belonging to another; when the person took the property that person had the specific intent to deprive the alleged victim permanently of that property; and that person carried the property away by obtaining physical possession and control for some period of time and by some movement of the property.

Consequences for the conviction of Theft may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Loss of the right to be bonded
  
• Restitution (paid to the victims to compensate for any losses)
  
• Court ordered counseling
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Theft may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• True owner
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• Provide vigorous and aggressive defense
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

FRAUD
A person made or caused to be made either directly, or indirectly, or through agency, a false statement; that person made or caused to be made with the specific intent that it be relied upon; that person knew this statement was false; the false statement was made with the specific intent to procure in any form whatsoever, either the delivery of personal property, the payment of cash, the making of a loan, credit, the extension of credit, the execution of a contract of guaranty or suretyship, the discount of an account receivable, or the making, acceptance, discount, sale or endorsement of a bill of exchange or promissory note before the benefit of either that person or another person.

Consequences for the conviction of Fraud may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Loss of the right to be bonded
  
• Restitution (paid to the victims to compensate for any losses)
  
• Court ordered counseling
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstance
  
• Other

Defenses of Fraud may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• True owner
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case.
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

EMBEZZLEMENT
A relation of trust and confidence existed between two persons; and pursuant to that relationship one of those persons accepted property entrusted to them by the other person; and with the specific intent to deprive the other person of their property, the person appropriated or converted it to their own use.

Consequences for the conviction of Embezzlement may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Loss of the right to be bonded
  
• Restitution (paid to the victims to compensate for any losses)
  
• Court ordered counseling
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Embezzlement may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• True owner
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually upated as to the status of your case.
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate alternatives to jail
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a betteralternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF WEAPONS
A person has actual or constructive possession of a deadly weapon such as a gun, knife, etc.

Consequences for the conviction of Illegal Possession of Weapons may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Significant fines
  Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Illegal Possession of Weapons may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

PROBATION VIOLATION
A violation of probation can lead to revocation of probation and the imposition of a custodial (Jail or Prison) sentence.

Consequences for the conviction of Probation Violation may potentially include:

• Probation revoked and sentence imposed
  
• Jail or imprisonment (depends upon original conviction)
  
• Significant fines

Probation reinstatement with additional terms including:

• Jail/Prison
  
• Longer term
  
• Additional fines
  
• Community service
  
• Rehabilitation program
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses for Probation Violation may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Probation terms complied with
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually informed as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER
Any person who drives a vehicle and unintentionally but unlawfully kills another human being.

Consequences for the conviction of Vehicular Manslaughter may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or Parole
  
• Loss of driving privilege
  
• Significant fines
  Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Alcohol/drug related
  
• Other

Defenses for Vehicular Manslaughter may potentially include:

• Not at fault/lack of negligence
  
• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better lternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
A person has willfully inflicted bodily injury upon his/her spouse, or the person they are co-habiting with, and the bodily injury resulted in a traumatic condition.

Consequences for the conviction of Domestic Violence may potentially include:

• Domestic counseling
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Imprisonment
  
• Anger management class
  
• Significant fines
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstance
  
• Other

Defenses for Domestic Violence may potentially include:

• Self defense
  
• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

DRUNK DRIVING
Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, controlled substance, medication, or prescription that impairs the driver's ability to operate the vehicle.

Consequences for the conviction of Driving Under the Influence may potentially include:

• Loss of driver's license
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Loss of auto insurance
  
• Court ordered driving school
  
• Impound of vehicle
  
• Court ordered ignition device
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends on the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of the community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Accident involved
  
• Blood alcohol content
  
• Other

Defenses for Driving Under the Influence may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Illegal traffic stop
  
• Improper testing
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

ASSAULT & BATTERY
A threat that commands the immediate performance of some act which the threatening party has no legal right to demand; a threat that is made with the intention of compelling performance of the act by the application of physical force; the person making the threat has placed his/herself physically into a position to inflict physical force; and that person has proceeded as far as it is necessary to go in order to carry out this intention.

Consequences for the conviction of Assault and Battery may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Anger management class
  
• Significant fines
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses for Assault and Battery may potentially include:

• Defense of others (loved ones)
  
• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Self defense
  
• Defense of property
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

SEX CRIMES
A person who commits any lewd or lascivious act upon or with the body of a child, with the specific intent of arousing, appealing to, or gratifying the lust or passions or sexual desires of that person or child.

Consequences for the conviction of Sex Crimes may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Registration as a sex offender
  
• Loss of the right to vote
  
• Loss of the right to own a deadly weapon
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Mandatory AIDS testing
  
• Prohibition against from being alone with minors
  
• Court ordered rehabilitation
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Sex Crimes may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence/mistaken identity
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence
  

EXTORTION
A person obtained property from the alleged victim; the property was obtained with consent of the alleged victim; the alleged victim's consent was induced by the wrongful use of force or fear; and the person who used the force or fear did so with the specific intent to induce the alleged victim to consent to the giving up of their property.

Consequences for the conviction of Extortion may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Loss of the right to be bonded
  
• Restitution (paid to the victims to compensate for any losses)
  
• Court ordered counseling
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Extortion may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• True owner
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the status of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence

DRUG OFFENSES
A person exercised dominance and control over a controlled substance, the person knew of its presence, and the person knew of its nature as a controlled substance; and the substance was in an amount sufficient to be used as a controlled substance.

Consequences for the conviction of Drug Offenses may potentially include:

• Imprisonment
  
• Probation or parole
  
• Registration as a narcotics offender
  
• Drug testing
  
• Court ordered counseling or rehabilitation
  
• Loss of driver's license
  
• Seizure of motor vehicle
  
• Search and seizure conditions
  
• Significant fines
  
• Other

Likelihood of any of the above consequences depends upon the following factors:

• Prior similar convictions
  
• Any other prior convictions
  
• Currently on probation or parole
  
• Attitude of community and court toward this type of crime
  
• Degree of media attention on case
  
• Mitigating/aggravating circumstances
  
• Other

Defenses of Drug Offenses may potentially include:

• Insufficient evidence
  
• Factual innocence
  
• Valid prescription
  
• Illegal search and seizure
  
• Other

What can you do to improve the outcome of your case?

• Gather documentation of your good character (reference letters, employment history, community service, etc.)
  
• Exercise your right to remain silent
  
• Retain qualified counsel as soon as possible
  
• Keep a diary of all significant events and potential witnesses (this information will help your attorney prepare the best possible defense)
  
• DO NOT investigate your own case

What can we do to help?

• Early preparation, including legal research and defense identification
  
• Early investigation and identification of all facts helpful to your defense
  
• Interview police to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview the prosecutor to minimize or eliminate the case
  
• Interview all witnesses
  
• Reduce or eliminate bail requirements
  
• Provide emotional support to loved ones and ensure that they are continually updated as to the state of your case
  
• In appropriate cases, negotiate jail alternatives
  
• Obtain an evaluation report from a court approved psychologist (to show counseling may be a better alternative to jail)
  
• Coordinate a private lie detector test
  
• Develop appropriate motions to dismiss the case
  
• Develop appropriate motions to suppress evidence
  

1. Child Abuse - An intentional or neglectful physical or emotional injury imposed on a child, including sexual molestation.
   
2. Sexual Abuse - An illegal sex act, especially one performed against a minor by an adult. The term is usually applied to contact not amounting to rape. and is typically divided into degrees according to the nature and circumstances of the contact.
   
3. Spousal Abuse - Physical, sexual, or psychological abuse inflicted by one spouse on the other spouse.

1. Aggravated Assault - Criminal assault accompanied by circumstances that make it more severe, such as the use of a deadly weapon, the intent to commit another crime, or the intent to cause serious bodily harm.
   
2. Assault and Battery - Assault in conjunction with actual battery.
   
3. Assault With A Deadly Weapon - An aggravated assault in which the defendant, controlling a deadly weapon, threatens the victim with death or serious bodily injury.
   
4. Assault With Intent - Any of several assaults that are carried out with an additional criminal purpose in mind, such as assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to rob, assault with intent to rape, and assault with intent to inflict great bodily injury.
   
5. Attempted Assault - An attempt to commit an assault.
   
6. Sexual Assault
   a. Sexual intercourse with another person without that person's consent.
   b. Offensive sexual contact with another person, exclusive of rape.

1. Cybersquatting
   The act of reserving a domain name on the Internet, especially a name that would be associated with a company's trademark, and then seeking to profit by selling or licensing the name to the company that has an interest in being identified with it.
   
2. Cyberstalking
   The act of threatening, harassing, or annoying someone through multiple email messages, as through the Internet, especially with the intent of placing the recipient in fear that an illegal act or an injury will be inflicted on the recipient or a member of the recipient's family or household.
3. Cybertheft
   The act of using an online computer service, such as one on the Internet, to steal someone else's property or to interfere with someone else's use and enjoyment of property.
   
4. Email Interception
   The act of reading, storing, or intercepting email intended for another person without that person's permission.
   
5. Internet Fraud
   Internet fraud generally refers to any type of fraudulent use of a computer and the Internet, including the use of chat rooms, email, message boards, discussion groups and web sites, to conduct fraudulent transactions, transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions, or to steal, destroy or otherwise render unusable (the proliferation of viruses for example) computer data vital to the operation of a business.
   
6. Telemarketing Fraud - Telemarketing Fraud is a term that refers generally to any scheme to deprive victims dishonestly of money or property or to misrepresent the values of goods or services.

1. Cultivation - The growing of organic drugs or their precursors, e.g. marijuana, coca, opium poppies, etc.
   
2. Distribution - The act selling or trading drugs.
   
3. Manufacturing - Includes the creation of synthetic drugs and the act of isolating drug compounds from organic sources.
   
4. Possession - Having drugs or drug paraphernalia on one's person.
   
5. Possession for Sale -The possession of drugs in quantities sufficient for resale.
   
6. Prescription Fraud - The act of obtaining prescription (legal) drugs through forged or stolen prescriptions.
   
7. Trafficking - The act of transferring drugs from one location to another, usually on behalf of a second party.
   

1. Actual Fraud - A concealment or false representation through a statement or conduct that injures another who relies on it in acting.
   
2. Bank Fraud - The criminal offense of knowingly executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme or artifice to defraud a financial institution, or to obtain property owned by or under the control of a financial institution, by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representation, or promises.
   
3. Bankruptcy Fraud - The act of filing a false bankruptcy claim.
   
4. Civil Fraud - An intentional-but not willful-evasion of taxes.
   
5. Constructive Fraud - Unintentional deception or misrepresentation that causes injury to another.
   
6. Credit Card Fraud - Examples of Credit Card Fraud include: Illegal counterfeiting of credit cards, the use of lost or stolen credit cards, and obtaining credit cards fraudulently through the mail.
   
7. Criminal Fraud - The willful evasion of taxes accomplished by filing a fraudulent tax return.
   
8. Extrinsic Fraud - Deception that is collateral to the issues being considered in the case; intentional misrepresentation or deceptive behavior outside the transaction itself, depriving one party of informed consent or full participation.
   
9. Health Care Fraud -Any scheme involving the health care industry that is designed for illegal financial gain, including: Billing for services not rendered, inflating the cost of the service provided, the deliberate sale of medically unnecessary services, and the payment of "kickbacks," or illegal payments designed to guarantee awarding of a contract or the exclusive right to provide a service.
   
10. Insurance Fraud -Fraud committed against an insurer, as when an insured lies on a policy application or fabricates a claim.
    
11. Intrinsic Fraud - Deception that pertains to an issue involved in an original action. o Examples include the use of fabricated evidence, a false return of service, perjured testimony, and false receipts or other commercial documents.
    
12. Investment Fraud - This form of fraud occurs when an adviser, stockbroker, or brokerage firm offers investors biased, unfounded, or contradictory investment advice out of a conflict of interest.
    
13. Mail Fraud - An act of fraud using the U.S. Postal Service, as in making false representations through the mail to obtain an economic advantage.
    
14. Promissory Fraud - A promise to perform made when the promiser had no intention of performing the promise.
    
15. Securities Fraud - The crime of knowingly making any materially misleading statement, or failing to disclose a material fact, in connection with the purchase or sale of a security.
    
16. Tax Fraud - See Tax Fraud
    
17. Wire Fraud - An act of fraud using electronic communications, as by making false representations on the telephone to obtain money.

1. Criminal Homicide - Homicide prohibited and punishable by law, such as murder or manslaughter.
   
2. Excusable Homicide - Homicide resulting from a person's lawful act, committed without intention to harm another.
   
3. Justifiable Homicide - The killing of another in self-defense when faced with the danger of death or serious bodily injury. (same as excusable homicide)
   
4. Negligent Homicide - Homicide resulting from the careless performance of a legal or illegal act in which the danger of death is apparent; the killing of a human being by criminal negligence.
   
5. Reckless Homicide - The unlawful killing of another person with conscious indifference toward that person's life.
   
6. Vehicular Homicide - The killing of another person by one's unlawful or negligent operation of a motor vehicle.

1. Involuntary Manslaughter - Homicide in which there is no intention to kill or do grievous bodily harm, but that is committed with criminal negligence or during the commission of a crime not included within the felony-murder rule.
   
2. Voluntary manslaughter - An act of murder reduced to manslaughter because of extenuating circumstances such as adequate provocation (arousing the "heat of passion") or diminished capacity.

1. Depraved-heart murder - -A murder resulting from an act so reckless and careless of the safety of others that it demonstrates the perpetrator's complete lack of regard for human life.
   
2. Felony Murder - Murder that occurs during the commission of a felony.
   
3. First-degree murder - Murder that is willful, deliberate, or premeditated, or that is committed during the course of another serious felony (often limited to rape, kidnapping, robbery, burglary, or arson). o All murder perpetrated by poisoning or by lying in wait is considered first-degree murder.
   
4. Second-degree murder -Murder that is not aggravated by any of the circumstances of first-degree murder.
   

Pandering
1. The act or offense of recruiting a prostitute, finding a place of business for a prostitute, or soliciting customers for a prostitute.
2. The act or offense of selling or distributing textual or visual material openly advertised to appeal to the recipient's sexual interest.

Perjury - The act or an instance of a person's deliberately making material false or misleading statements while under oath.
Pornography - Pictures and/or writings of sexual activity intended solely to excite lascivious feelings of a particularly blatant and aberrational kind, such as acts involving children, animals, orgies, and all types of sexual intercourse.

Prostitution - The crime of engaging in sexual intercourse or other sexual activity for hire.

Pyramid Schemes - Pyramid Schemes may involve a structure that is laid out like a pyramid, with one person at the top, two persons on the next level, four on the next and eight on the next. The structure may also be circular with one person at the center, two on the next, four on the next and eight persons on the outer circle. The circular structure is merely a view of a pyramid looking from the top down.

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) - A federal statute enacted in 1970 and subsequently copied in many state statutes (informally called "Little Rico" statutes), designed to attack organized crime by providing special criminal penalties and civil liabilities for persons who engage in, or derive money from, repeated instances of certain types of crime.

1. Date Rape - Rape committed by someone known to the victim, especially by the victim's social companion.
   
2. Marital Rape - A husband's sexual intercourse with his wife by force or without her consent.
   
3. Statutory Rape - Unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under the age of consent, regardless of whether it is against that person's will.

Self-Defense -The use of reasonable force against an aggressor by one who reasonably believes it necessary in order to avoid imminent bodily harm. Self-defense is a justification for conduct that would otherwise be a crime.

Sexual Harassment -A form of unlawful employment discrimination consisting of harassment of an employee or group of employees, usually women. This may take the form of requiring or seeking sexual favors as a condition of employment (quid pro quo harassment) or otherwise subjecting an employee to intimidation, ridicule, or insult because of her sex, whether or not the harassing conduct is sexual in nature.

Sexual Offense - General term used to describe a crime of a sexual nature.

Sodomy - A term varying in meaning from state to state, but generally referring to any type of sex act regarded by a legislature as "unnatural" or "perverted" In the narrowest and most traditional sense, the term refers to anal sexual intercourse between men, but it may extend to those or other acts between men and women (sometimes exemption married couples, sometimes not), or women and women, or people and animals. Also called a crime against nature, or an unnatural act.

Stalking - The act of threatening, harassing, or annoying someone, especially with the intent of placing the recipient in fear that an illegal act or an injury will be inflicted on the recipient or a member of the recipient's family or household.

Tax Evasion - The willful attempt to defeat or circumvent the tax law in order to illegally reduce one's tax liability.

Tax Fraud - The crime of intentionally filing a false tax return or making other false statements under penalties of perjury to taxing authorities.

Terrorism
Politically motivated violence or intimidation directed against a civilian population by a subgroup within a population, by an outside group, or by clandestine agents of another country.

1. Cybertheft - See Cybertheft.
   
2. Theft By Deception -The use of deception to obtain another's property.
   
3. Theft By False Pretext -The use of a false pretext to obtain another's property.
   
4. Theft Of Services -The act of obtaining services from another by deception, threat, coercion, stealth, mechanical tampering, or using a false token or device.
   
5. Writs - An order from a higher court to a lower court or to a government official such as a prison warden.