Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyers Blog

Handling false allegations of cyberbullying

Published on: March 10, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

In the digital era, people may find themselves accused of a number of offenses involving the internet, such as cyberbullying. Some people may not think that cyberbullying is very serious or that these charges carry harsh repercussions, but cyberbullying accusations can virtually destroy someone’s life in a variety of ways. Not only do people accused of this offense often face harsh criticism and damage to their reputation that may be permanent, but they may even spend time behind bars. Worse, some people are falsely accused of cyberbullying altogether, leaving them completely unsure of what to do next.

There are different reasons why someone may be falsely accused of cyberbullying. For example, perhaps one of their former friends or someone they used to be in a relationship with has decided to frame them, for whatever reason. If you have been falsely accused of bullying someone online, it is essential for you to carefully go over all of the case’s details and make sure that you have figured out the best approach. You should do all you can to defend yourself appropriately and have the truth revealed.

Depending on the details surrounding a case, the consequences of cyberbullying allegations can be incredibly serious. Sometimes these charges and allegations even make the news, which can make life incredibly difficult for those who have been accused of targeting someone over the internet. If you browse to our law firm’s page on cybercrime, more information related to cyberbullying charges is available for you to read through.

Can drug charges affect student loans?

Published on: March 3, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

On this blog, we have gone over many of the different ways that drug charges can turn someone’s life upside down. However, there are particularly problematic consequences for people in certain positions, such as college students who are worried about how the allegations they are facing may affect their ability to finish the degree program they are enrolled in. If you are accused of a drug-related offense and have no idea what to do next, it is especially important to review any unique aspects of your case or personal circumstances.

According to the Federal Student Aid website, a drug-related conviction can result in a student becoming ineligible for student aid. When students fill out their FAFSA, they are asked about drug offenses they have been convicted of while they were a recipient of federal student aid. If so, a worksheet will need to be completed to determine whether or not the offense will impact student aid. In some instances, students are able to become eligible for student aid by completing a drug rehab program.

Outside of federal financial aid, a drug charge could lead to additional problems in a student’s life. For example, they may have been depending on their parents for financial or even emotional support through college, which may not continue as a result of drug-related allegations. If you are a student who has been charged with an offense involving drugs, it is critical to immediately go over your options. Please understand that no legal advice is contained in this write-up.

Addressing drug possession allegations

Published on: February 23, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

We have discussed a number of drug-related offenses on our blog, ranging from very serious charges to those which may not be as serious (such as possessing drug paraphernalia). However, charges related to the possession of unlawful substances are quite common and have upended the lives of many people in Atlanta and across all of Georgia. To make things worse, some people have had to deal with these charges even though they were innocent.

You should carefully evaluate your options, regardless of the illegal substance that you have been accused of possessing. Whether you were caught with marijuana or prescriptions that you should not have had, all sorts of devastating consequences may lie ahead. As a result, it is critical to navigate this dilemma with care and go over all of your legal rights immediately. Your future could be derailed in different ways because of these charges, whether you encounter problems while trying to apply for college or are unable to land a job you want. Moreover, your record could come back to haunt you in ways you might not have imagined or are not concerned about now. For example, you could try to leave the country to participate in a trip with your friends at some point in the future, only to find out that you are barred from entry.

Addressing drug possession charges can be tough and this is also true for any other drug-related offense. Our drug crime section will have more information interconnected with drug possession charges.

Cryptocurrency and allegations of tax fraud

Published on: February 17, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

In the digital era, there are all sorts of financial opportunities, such as those involving cryptocurrency. Unfortunately, some people are not familiar with their responsibilities, such as the tax implications of investing in cryptocurrency. In fact, legal obligations related to these investments can be unclear because this form of currency is relatively new. However, people who fail to report profits after cashing out might find themselves in hot water. In Atlanta, and across all of Georgia, it is essential for you to understand your obligations if you are a cryptocurrency investor and carefully review the details of your case if you are facing charges.

Cryptocurrency investments can be highly volatile and generate a considerable amount of uncertainty. In the years to come, more and more people will likely find themselves facing charges because they did not report their cryptocurrency investments. On top of tax problems related to these investments, people may also find themselves in trouble if they receive payments via this method. For example, someone may have been compensated for providing a service via Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency, not realizing that they had to report these payments as income on their tax return.

For those who are facing legal problems involving the federal government, it is extremely important to go over various legal options and figure out the course of action that is most sensible. If you browse to our law firm’s page on tax fraud charges, you will have the opportunity to read more related to fraud allegations.

Addressing allegations of cyberbullying

Published on: February 10, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

In recent years, many media stories and social media posts have focused on cyberbullying and the potential consequences of this behavior. Sometimes, people are very quick to point the finger and there have been many incidents in which people are falsely accused of an offense altogether. If you have been accused of cyberbullying, or your child is in this position, we know how overwhelmed you may feel. However, this is a time when you should be carefully focusing on the allegations and going over your legal rights. After all, these charges can have very serious consequences for people in Atlanta and across Georgia.

With highly-publicized suicides and widespread public commentary on the problems associated with cyberbullying, some people are quick to judge others who are accused of bullying a person over the internet. Online harassment takes many forms and there are all sorts of ways in which someone may be accused of bullying another. Moreover, there are many other offenses related to the internet that can upend the lives of those facing charges, such as cyberstalking and online identity theft. Sometimes, people do not realize that these offenses can have very real consequences. For example, someone accused of a cybercrime may be sentenced to prison and required to pay stiff fines.

Beyond time behind bars and financial penalties, cybercrime accusations can destroy the good reputation of someone who has been accused. If you have been falsely accused of an online offense, or details have been exaggerated, our cybercrime page has more related to cyberbullying and similar offenses.

Prescription opioid abuse can lead to criminal charges

Published on: February 9, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

The United States is currently suffering a national crisis regarding opioid abuse. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 100 Americans die every day from opioid overdose or complications related to opioids. The situation came to a head last year, when the Trump administration declared the opioid crisis a national public health emergency.

Many people believe that they and their family members would never become addicted to opioids, but this could not be farther from the truth. Many instances of opioid addiction stem from the misuse of prescription medication. And misusing prescription opioids can lead not only to a serious addiction, but also to criminal charges– the consequences of which can be severe.

The origins of the opioid crisis

Cyber Crime – Cyber Extortion on the Rise

Published on: February 6, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Cyber extortion threats are on the rise. The threat the hacker uses is that if a certain amount of money is not paid, then information of some sort will be exposed. Hackers gain access through a digital break in. Cyber extortion is different then ransomware attacks. Ransomware will render a hard drive/server/file unreadable/unaccessible until a ransom is paid. Extornists threaten to expose sensitive material and people are paying them. But, in some cases the threats are just that – threats, and the hackers are bluffing.

Cyber extortion can take many forms. The below, is by no means, an exhaustive list.

*Denial-of-Service attacks – attack happens, and then hackers demand money to stop the attack.

Tax filing season and fraud charges

Published on: February 3, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

During any time of year, people are accused of internet-related offenses. However, with there are certain times when charges such as tax fraud arise far more often. Sometimes, people are falsely accused of tax fraud and the allegations catch them completely off-guard. In other instances, the details surrounding a person’s case may be exaggerated or certain elements may be made up. For people facing these charges, carefully going over each and every option is paramount since these accusations can have a significant impact on one’s life. In Atlanta, and all over the state of Georgia, many people feel stressed out and unsure about their case, but closely reviewing the situation may provide some peace of mind.

Tax fraud charges can lead to various repercussions that turn one’s future upside down. Aside from the financial penalties associated with this offense, some people may struggle with a damaged reputation. In some instances, this could have a negative impact on the business they run, while others may find themselves in a position where employers are not interested in hiring them because of their record. In fact, these charges can lead to embarrassment within one’s community and create friction between friends and family members.

Some people may feel hopeless when they are accused of this offense, but there may be different options for them to consider. Each case requires an individual approach and some may find an end result that is more favorable. Head to our law office’s fraud page to view more on tax fraud charges.

Reviewing the consequences of cybercrime charges

Published on: January 31, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

In last week’s post, we examined some examples of cybercrime, such as identity theft and cyberbullying. With cybercrime cases, each is unique and the penalties for an offense vary from one to the next. In some instances, these charges can upend a person’s life in multiple ways. From a lengthy sentence behind bars to costly fines, the penalties that may come with cybercrime charges can be staggering. However, we know that people in Atlanta and across Georgia who are in this position have encountered many other types of problems in their lives as well.

For starters, cybercrime charges can be devastating for your career, especially if you work in IT or a related field. Even for those whose job responsibilities do not involve computers or the internet, these charges can cause permanent damage to their reputation. Sometimes, people may lose their jobs once these allegations surface. In fact, even if the charges are based on false accusations, the damage to one’s reputation may be irreparable. Moreover, people may struggle to find work in the future due to these charges, which can be especially difficult in a highly competitive job market. On top of career-related problems, people may also face challenges with some of their friends or family members, who may not see them the same.

If you are facing cybercrime charges, you should go over different options that may be in front of you and carefully prepare if you anticipate court. Our cybercrimes page has even more on computer-related offenses.

Victim of Crime – Criminal Negligence

Published on: January 30, 2018 | By Conaway & Strickler, P.C.

Victim of Crime: 11Alive/NBC News #TheLateFeed: Why are there no charges after vet died in nursing home? Please see the video here Meg Strickler discusses the possible charges against a nursing home in Georgia including felony murder, perjury, criminal negligence, elder abuse and obstruction.

As per the article “An 11Alive investigation uncovered hidden camera video catching nursing home staff laughing while an elderly patient dies in front of them. The incident happened at the Northeast Atlanta Health and Rehabilitation in 2014, but the video was recently released as part of a lawsuit filed by the family.

Attorneys representing the Atlanta nursing home tried to prevent 11Alive from obtaining the video. They asked a DeKalb County judge to keep the video sealed and then attempted to appeal to the Georgia State Supreme Court. The judge ruled in favor of 11Alive and the nursing home eventually dropped its appeal to the state’s highest court. The video includes almost six hours of video court deposition from a nursing supervisor explaining how she responded to the patient before she knew the hidden camera video existed. The video shows a completely different response.