One of the most common charges in criminal court these days (at least in Orleans Parish) is the charge LA RS 14:951. What is this statute? Today I want to shed some light on this statue and help you understand it's implications. Louisiana Revised Statute 14:95.1 (LA...
Criminal Defense
5 ways to get the lowest bond possible
Everyday we have people calling us up who have been arrested or have a family member that has been arrested. Many times, bond has been set before they call us and they now want to know if their bond can be reduced. Many times, the answer is "yes." If you've been...
Do you have to answer questions from the police?
If you’re talking to a police officer, perhaps after a traffic stop or because they came to your door, you may not want to answer their questions. This doesn’t even mean that you’ve done anything wrong. You may simply be worried that you’re going to say something that...
Why experienced local advocacy is a good bet in a criminal case
You can find a criminal defense practitioner in the phone book or online in less than a minute, but that doesn’t mean you should hire them. Contrary to popular belief, legal professionals are not all the same. They employ different strategies. They deal with clients...
What does an illegal search mean for your criminal charges?
Those interacting with law enforcement have certain basic rights, including the basic right to freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures provided by the Fourth Amendment. Louisiana police officers and federal authorities can only conduct searches when they have...
Why you should never jump bail
If you are indicted and charged with certain crimes, like drunk driving or theft, the court might set you free on bail while you await the outcome of your case. In this case, a relative or the bond company will deposit the bail money with the court before you can go...
Is it legal to record your own traffic stop?
The ability of people to record police encounters – whether someone else’s or their own – by simply pressing a button on their phone has no doubt provided valuable evidence of what many people have been saying for years – that officers don’t always follow the laws...
Is securities fraud a federal crime?
Securities fraud is a form of white-collar crime that often involves trading stocks, bonds, or other investments in an illegal manner. This can include insider trading information to profit on the stock exchange, misrepresenting material facts while selling securities...
The issue with the DA charging teenage offenders as adults
When a prosecutor claims to have progressive values, often what they mean is that their focus is more on rehabilitation than punishment for those accused of certain kinds of offenses. Supporting more people going through the drug courts as opposed to the criminal...
Entrapment vs. undercover work
Undercover officers will often pretend that they are not affiliated with the police and they may participate in illegal actions while making a bust. In some cases, this even means that they help other criminals commit these acts directly. Those who get arrested by...