If the federal court system is charging you with a crime, it is likely that a plea bargain will be a part of the process. Usually this process begins well before your case goes to trial. You may believe that the court system would look poorly upon plea bargains, but this is not the case. In many instances, plea bargains are beneficial both for the prosecution and for the defendant. According to FindLaw, the most common type of plea bargain are charge bargains. What is a char

In Texas, state laws treat matters of fraud seriously. This is especially true of frauds classified as federal offenses. Among these offenses are mail and wire fraud. These crimes share a lot in common, but do not think they are the same thing.The law classifies wire and mail fraud as two separate crimes. As such, you could face different penalties if convicted of either. But what are the differences between the two? Mail fraudThe Congressional Research Service looks at both 

You may think that you will never face allegations of healthcare fraud. However, even small medical offices can have problems with fraud. If you think that you or one of your staff members is unintentionally committing fraud, there are certain steps you should take. Correct the problem According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, you may face allegations of healthcare fraud if you work with companies who engage in suspicious practices. As soon as you realiz

Texas law takes matters involving fraud seriously. This covers many different fraudulent schemes and ploys, too. If you get convicted of a fraud-related crime, you can often face hefty penalties.This is particularly true in the case of mail fraud. What is it, exactly? Why are the penalties so harsh? And will they apply in your situation? What is considered mail fraud?The Congressional Research Service provides information on  what mail fraud charges can mean  for you. First,

According to the United States Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) formed in 1973 after several government agencies merged into one. Since that time, the DEA has been responsible for enforcing this nation's drug laws regarding the manufacture, production, and/or distribution of controlled substances. This guide explains a few of the many actions the DEA can take when pursuing people alleged to have committed drug offenses. Seizure and forfeiture of assets

When you think of drug crimes, you may picture dealers lurking in alleyways. You may not think of doctors, nurses and pharmacists. Yet the National Institutes of Health reports that one of America’s most serious drug issues is prescription drug abuse. According to the NIH, one reason for rampant misuse of prescription drugs is that they are easy to obtain and use. Prescription fraud is one way to get drugs. Here is what you should know. What is it? Obtaining prescription pai

One of the reasons why scams are so prevalent and continue to bring in victims is that those who perpetrate them make them seem so real. This is why fake check scams work so well. They seem like something that is valid.The Federal Trade Commission explains that check scams occur when someone asks you to deposit a check and send them money from that check. Typically, they tell you that you will keep the majority of the money and have a very good reason why you should send them

Texas police pulled you over recently for driving erratically. They suspected you of intoxication, or that you were on an illicit substance. Is your new prescription to blame for this unfortunate situation? Some medications do not lend themselves well to driving. Learn how to build a case to fight your drug offense with proper knowledge. Medication side effects that make it unsafe to drive Both prescription and over-the-counter medication may have side effects that make it u

The courts charging you with any variety of crime is terrifying, but the difference between the state and federal court systems is important for you to understand. The layout of the state and federal courts at its broadest brushstroke is simple: there is one federal court system and 50 state court systems. According to Families Against Mandatory Minimums, each of these state court systems operate independently from each other and they also all operate independently of the fe

As a medical professional, you likely worry about patients falling for lies and overpaying for services.If you are facing accusations of healthcare fraud, knowing the common signs of a scam can help you defend yourself. SignsAccording to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, a relatively  tiny amount of healthcare providers perpetrate many schemes . This does not prevent these scams from being devastating for others, including draining the finances of unsuspecting

Medical procedures often result in considerable expense due to the number of people involved in providing service and the complicated nature of the health care billing system. During the billing process, mistakes can easily happen in such a complex system. However, not all accidents are innocent. Sometimes billing errors can escalate to health care fraud and abuse. Health care billing fraud is a serious issue that medical professionals should learn how to identify and avoid

When it comes to drug-related offenses, there are various factors to consider. For example, different details surrounding a particular case will impact the consequences that one faces and the way in which their case is handled in court. Moreover, everyone is in a unique position, such as those who are struggling with problems related to mental health or develop mental health challenges as a direct result of their drug case. It is imperative to understand your legal options a

Evidence is the driving force for most criminal cases. Without sufficient evidence, prosecutors have a difficult time filing and winning the case. For criminal defendants, examining types of evidence and methods of procurement is vital to the eventual outcome of the case. Defense attorneys investigate search warrants and seizure tactics to challenge the validity of evidence and exclude its use in court. Illegal search and seizure For many searches, law enforcement must obtai

Most Texas healthcare providers dedicate themselves to improving the lives of the patients they serve and providing quality, honest care. There are a small number of doctors and providers, however, who use fraudulent billing practices to generate more income. Others may not be careful enough with their medical coding and billing and abuse the system unknowingly. What is fraud, and what coding mistakes do medical providers need to avoid to steer clear of it? Medical fraud def

People make mistakes every single day. Unfortunately, some of those mistakes can result in a drug charge on your permanent record. The question is, how long should it stay there? There are many instances of people making questionable decisions during their youth and suffering the consequences for a lifetime. Many employers perform background checks before hiring an employee and if you have a drug charge on your record, it may sway their decision to hire you. This article det

Many people might assume that someone accused of Medicare fraud would have knowingly done something that failed to follow the proper guidelines. That, however, may not always be the case.Fraud relating to a Medicare insurance claim may arise from a variety of places and may not always be evident immediately by all parties.Prompt review of claim paperwork The government's website, Medicare.gov, urges all consumers with Medicare insurance coverage to promptly and thoroughly rev

There is a lot of talk around the country about decriminalizing drugs. The focus is often on marijuana, but in some places it includes other substances as well. When you hear about this movement, it is not uncommon to feel confused about what it means. The decriminalization of drugs does not mean making all drugs legal. It focuses on lowering penalties and focusing on helping those with drug addictions instead of punishing them. Free up jail and prison space One of the mai

As is the case in other professions, a pharmacist could lose his or her license for a variety of reasons related to unprofessional conduct. One example of such conduct is dispensing prescription drugs upon receiving a prescription that is fraudulent, forged or altered.To help combat prescription fraud, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy recently issued new Schedule II official prescription forms.What security features do the new prescription forms contain?Additional security f

For many people, owning a home is part of the American dream. Qualifying for one can be tricky, though. It may seem tempting to adjust some numbers or make some misleading statements on documents in order to qualify.However, this could result in mortgage fraud, which violates both federal and state laws.What is mortgage fraud?NBCDFW reports that potential homebuyers may use a number of different illegal tactics to qualify for a loan, or to become eligible for a larger loan to

FraudTwo Texas residents admitting to mail fraud charges involving soda pop rebates each received a sentence consisting of probation without jail time. Federal fraud offenses generally include incarceration and large fines. The two individuals, however, entered into a plea deal and received a lesser punishment.As reported by the Houston Chronicle, the defendants allegedly defrauded a popular soft drink company after it contracted the Lone Star State entrepreneur and his emplo