Baton Rouge Criminal Defense Law Blog

What are the penalties for cocaine?

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in Drug Charges on Friday, June 15, 2018.

Being accused of a drug crime could mean serious penalties. With regards to drug sales or drug trafficking allegations, this does not only mean facing charges based on the states laws but could also mean facing federal charges as well. Because the penalties associated with a drug charge could be tremendous, it is vital to take the time to explore criminal defense options.

Louisiana is tough on drugs, especially cocaine. Whether it is in powdered form or crack, this is one of the state's most heavily trafficked illegal substance. Thus, the state passed laws to penalize those using and distributing the drug as a means to deter individuals from using this drug and crack down on sales and possession in the state.

What does it mean to be booked?

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

If you've ever seen the old TV show "Dragnet," you may recall a detective inevitably saying, "Book 'em, Danno" at some point during every episode. The phrase refers to processing a suspect into the criminal justice system when a police officer has made an arrest. In other words, if a law enforcement agent is booking you, he or she suspects you of a crime, and you are going to spend at least the next half hour, several hours or longer behind bars.

If you've never visited a police station, such circumstances can be frightening. You may see and hear things that shock you if there are other situations unfolding at the time. Once the booking process is complete, three things may occur: They might release you after signing a promise to appear in court. A judge might set a bail amount to secure a financial guarantee in addition to the documents you sign. You might stay in jail. Louisiana law guarantees your right to request legal support.

Baton Rouge man arrested on multiple drug charges

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in Drug Charges on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Our past can be very relevant in our present and future. Whether it happened a decade ago or a year ago, a criminal record can haunt a person, especially when an individual is accused of a crime. A criminal allegation alone could mean serious penalties; however, a criminal history could make the consequences harsher. Thus, no matter if this is your first criminal charge or not, it is important for defendants to explore their criminal defense options.

According to recent reports, a Baton Rouge man was arrested for various drug charges as well as other criminal allegations. Reports indicate that the man was wanted on several charges when law enforcement in Ascension Parish apprehended the 41-year-old man. Police claim that the man was wanted for heroine distribution, possession of marijuana, aggravated obstruction of highway, aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation and disobedience to signs.

The penalties associated with embezzlement

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in White Collar Crimes on Friday, June 1, 2018.

As previously discussed, it is not uncommon for individuals to face criminal allegations that stem from their work duties. For those entrusted or tasked to handle money or the finances in the workplace, one might be accused of any issues or mishaps that occur with the revenue of a business. However, embezzlement allegations are serious, and while this crime can be based on various actions, the truth of the matter is that the penalties can be very harsh and life impacting. Thus, it is important to understand these changes, what criminal consequences could occur and how best to move forward with a criminal defense.

Embezzlement is a theft crime. This means that it involves the misappropriation or the taking of money or anything of value belonging to another, either with or without the consent of the other person. This could be accomplished through fraudulent conduct, practice or representation. Regardless, there must be the intent to deprive the other of this property, whether it is through misappropriation or taking.

What is embezzlement?

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in White Collar Crimes on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Some employees are entrusted to handle and manage the finances. In other cases, employees have limited encounters with money in the workplace. Whether an employee is tasked to handle the finances or not, much trust goes into an employee that interacts with the money coming in and out of a business. If a company winds up short, it is likely that these individuals will be looked at. However, in cases where a business is making millions or billions of dollars in revenue, it can be difficult to notice or even pinpoint where money is going once it is realized. Thus, employees could face allegations for embezzlement years down the line. Facing such criminal charges can be serious, as it can tarnish ones reputation, even harming his or her ability to maintain a career. Thus, it is vital that criminal defense strategies for these types of criminal allegation are understood.

What is embezzlement? In simple terms, this is a crime that involves the fraudulent taking of the personal property of another by someone that the property was entrusted to. The most common example of embezzlement is when there is a misappropriation of money. However, embezzlement could occur whether the accused kept the personal property or transferred it to a third party.

Helping you timely address a DUI charge

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

Once we hit the age of 16, most individuals in Louisiana and elsewhere obtain a license to drive. And when we finally reach age 21, we seek to legally drink. While both of these activities are legal to do once the proper age is reached, doing both activities at the same time is not only considered dangerous but could also result in a driver facing criminal charges. Although a DUI is a traffic offense, it is one that could carry harsh penalties, especially if it is not a driver's first allegation. Thus, taking these matters seriously and exploring defense options is a vital step to take.

Even if the penalties associated with a DUI are not as harsh as those imposed against those accused of more serious criminal charges, the truth of the matter is that a DUI could still result in a driver enduring serious consequences. Hefty fines, license suspension and even jail time are a possibility. This is why the attorneys at Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law, are dedicated to helping individuals in the Baton Rouge area create a strategic defense against drunk driving allegations.

Facing a DUI charge in Louisiana? These issues that may affect your case.

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

Facing drunk driving charges was not on your list of things to do at college, but things don't always go as planned. Maybe you experienced a lapse in judgment and now regret your decision to drive home from a party, or maybe you believe you have evidence to show that the prosecution's case against you is faulty.

Building a strong defense is often possible if you know your rights and where to seek legal guidance. Several key factors may positively or negatively affect the outcome of your situation. Facing a DUI charge is scary, and realizing that the court's decision may have consequences that impact your entire college career can be very stressful. This post provides useful information to point you in the right direction for possibly avoiding a conviction and getting your life back on track.

Drug charges and pretrial diversion program

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in Drug Charges on Thursday, May 10, 2018.

There are some criminal charges that could seriously impact a person's personal and professional reputation. A drug charge is one of those. Whether it is a minor or major charge, this type of criminal charge has the tendency to impact one's life, as it could present issues when applying for financial aid for college or applying for a job. Thus, it is important to consider your defense options as well as mechanisms available to reduce the penalties faced by such a charge.

For those facing drug charges in Baton Rouge, it might be possible to avoid criminal penalties by entering into a pretrial intervention program. This program is designed for first time offenders that have had no prior contact with the criminal justice system. Additionally, it is up to the District Attorney's office to determine who qualifies for this program or not.

Did drinking on campus land you in jail?

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in Drunk Driving on Monday, May 7, 2018.

What would happen if your college professor gave you an assignment to write an essay about the social, emotional and academic challenges you have faced since your first semester in college? You'd likely have no shortage of content. If your college experience has been similar to average students' situations throughout the nation, you could probably fill three to five (if not more) pages on each of the categories just mentioned.

If your campus life sometimes (or often) includes drinking alcohol, you might be able to do an entire essay on that topic alone. No matter what your particular reasons might be, college situations that involve alcohol often lead to legal problems for one or more people. If you go to a party but later wind up in jail, it's important to know where to seek legal guidance with the goal of protecting your future.

What is tax evasion?

On behalf of Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law posted in White Collar Crimes on Thursday, May 3, 2018.

We all make mistakes. Most of the time it is because we overlooked something, missed it or forgot to do a step. Regardless of the reason, mistakes are not always an excuse for some actions. Unless it is a common or minor error, mistakes made on taxes could fall under the category of tax fraud. However, this is also the case when someone purposefully acts or attempts to make it look like a simple mistake. Such a situation could land a person is some hot water, as these tax crimes could result in serious criminal penalties.

What is tax evasion? This occurs when an individual or a company purposefully underpays their taxes. The IRS realizes that the tax code is complicated and mistakes can occur. However, the IRS understands what mistakes could be made and what it looks like when an individual deliberately intended to underpay their taxes.