New York Criminal Defense Law Blog

The long-term consequences of a criminal record

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

When accused of a crime, many people become worried about the possible consequences that a conviction will have in the near future. For example, they may worry about being subject to a fine, being banned from participating in a certain activity (such as driving) for a certain amount of time or about the effect that the conviction will have on their reputation.

While short-term consequences should not be underestimated in response to a criminal accusation, it is important that you also think about the long-term consequences that a criminal record can have. The following are some of the long-term effects of criminal records.

Making false statements to a federal investigator

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019.

The U.S. criminal code is vast. From securities fraud to embezzlement, there is a seemingly endless number of ways to break the law. If you have done something illegal, you want your criminal exposure to be as limited as possible.

When investigating potential crimes, federal investigators often seek to interview everyone involved. Put simply, lying to federal investigators could land you in legal jeopardy. If you think investigators are likely to question you, you should know a few things about making false statements.

The difference between tax avoidance and tax fraud

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. posted in white collar crimes on Friday, July 5, 2019.

When the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) conducts audits on businesses, they are doing so to verify whether any fraudulent activity has taken place. Many business owners worry about getting into trouble with the IRS because they know that they have implemented techniques to avoid taxes in the past.

However, even if you have avoided taxes in the past, this does not mean that you have engaged in any illegitimate or illegal activity. Tax avoidance is, in most cases, simply a strategic way for businesses to operate. This is because there are many ways that businesses can take advantage of rules and exemptions in the federal tax code. However, some behavior might be considered fraudulent. Knowing the difference between tax avoidance and tax fraud is key in this situation.

Understanding New York's money laundering laws

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. on Saturday, June 29, 2019.

Money laundering is a criminal offense that generally involves making a financial transaction with funds that someone gains through illegal means. Individuals and organizations can both commit money laundering to disguise the source, ownership, location or control of ill-gotten money.

The end-goal of money laundering is to make it seem like the funds come from a legitimate source. It is important for anyone under investigation or facing charges for money laundering in New York to understand what the state laws say about this crime.

Red flags that could point to securities fraud

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. posted in securities on Friday, June 21, 2019.

If you have a financial advisor or are involved in an investment program, you expect that the person giving you advice is qualified to do so and has the best intentions. While this is likely to be the case, there are, unfortunately, many investment scams and instances of fraudulent investment advice in New York.

If you have not been making fruitful investments as a result of professional advice, or if you are starting to doubt the legitimacy of the investment scheme, it is important that you realize this early on. By understanding some of the most common securities fraud red flags, you may be able to recognize your situation as a case of securities fraud and take action swiftly.

Criminal charges may lead to a costly civil suit

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. on Monday, June 10, 2019.

The university admissions and bribing case involving big-name celebrities has consumed newspaper headlines for months. According to a letter from a lawyer who represents both Lori Laughlin and the University of Southern California in separate matters, USC may have a future civil claim against the actress.

Anyone facing criminal charges knows how stressful the matter can be. After all, you may lose your freedom following a conviction. Further, defending yourself may cost a significant amount in resources. Still, what you pay in legal fees for a criminal case may be considerably less than a future civil settlement or judgment. Even worse, you may find yourself defending a civil lawsuit even after an acquittal on criminal charges.

Your plea bargain options in New York

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. posted in criminal defense on Friday, June 7, 2019.

If you have been accused of a crime in New York, it is likely that you will be offered a plea bargain. Plea bargains are offered to defendants in the hopes that it will lead to a quicker and more efficient legal process, and that a court case will be avoided.

If you have been offered a plea bargain in New York, it is important to understand how they work and how you should react to the situation. In the vast majority of plea bargains involve charge bargaining, which is what will be focused on in this blog.

Pop star sued for copyright infringement after sharing photo

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. posted in white collar crimes on Friday, May 24, 2019.

Every day, there must be at least a million people in the country who post photos of themselves on their social media feeds. But when can it turn into a civil violation to post your own image online?

When you didn't take the picture or secure the rights to it.

How to prove securities fraud

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. posted in securities on Friday, May 10, 2019.

Even the most lucrative investors can lose money from time to time. In addition, all financial advisors can make mistakes when it comes to predicting the health of the market. This is why all investment losses cannot be automatically attributed to a case of securities fraud.

However, securities fraud in some form or other is more common than many might expect. This fraudulent activity can be well-disguised, so many investors fail to detect this misconduct, even when they have continued to lose huge amounts of money. If you believe that you have fallen victim to securities fraud in New York, it is important that you look into your options in being able to prove the illegal activity.

While the truth may hurt, lies are often worse

On behalf of Bachner & Associates, P.C. on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

Adults sometimes have difficulty making friends. Unlike children who have a ready group of pals at school, adults tend to have limited access to potential buddies. Still, for adults, having a good friend or group of friends is important for a variety of reasons. Lying to protect your friends, though, could land you in legal jeopardy.

As you know, not all untruths are the same. While little white ones generally cause no harm, other lies carry significant consequences. If one of your friends commits a crime, giving false information to a police officer, detective, judge or jury may be a big mistake. Here are some ways lying for a friend may harm you.