Raleigh Criminal Lawyer: Keeping Your Online Profile Safe

We live in an interconnected world, with social media and social networking – Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other tools – providing the world with much more information about each of us. Such an interconnected world means that information about you that you may consider “private” may, in fact, be public.

Here’s a rule of thumb: you should never say anything on Facebook anything you don’t want to hear again in a court of law.

The fact of the matter is that most people will never been charged with a crime. But for the people who do, prosecutors and investigators also know about facebook and other websites, and know that a simple Google search may reveal additional information that could incriminate the defendant.

For instance, if you use drugs, don’t say so on Facebook. And if you deal drugs, don’t flash gang signs in your Facebook profile picture. You may be laughing, but you’d be surprised by the number of people – particularly young people – who say stupid and even criminal things on facebook or twitter, and who, perhaps inadvertently, find themselves charged with a crime.

Don’t be that person.

Raleigh criminal lawyer Damon Chetson helps individuals charged with crimes - misdemeanors, felonies, and DWI and traffic charges - in Raleigh, Cary, Apex and other communities in Wake County and the Research Triangle of North Carolina. DWI Raleigh lawyer Damon Chetson is available day or night, weekdays or weekends. Call him at (919) 352-9411 day or night.

Raleigh criminal lawyer: Federal District Judges Are Powerful Indeed

Drug trafficking, child pornography, and terrorism charges are the three most harshly punished crimes in the federal criminal system. If you’ve been accused of any of these crimes, you should consult with a Raleigh federal lawyer, Raleigh federal criminal lawyer, Raleigh criminal lawyer, or North Carolina criminal lawyer as soon as possible. You can call (919) 352-9411 for a free consultation.

The federal system has a couple of features that make it necessary to hire an aggressive, professional, and experienced criminal lawyer. First, federal judges are not constrained by the plea bargains that have been worked out between the defense and the United States Attorney.

So, for instance, if a Raleigh criminal defendant and the United States Attorney (AUSA) for the Eastern District of North Carolina work out an agreement as to a specific sentence, a federal district judge is not obligated to follow that agreement. Consequently, all federal plea agreements are open-ended as to punishment within the federal sentencing system.

A skilled Raleigh defense attorney is able to negotiate certain statements of fact in the plea agreement, as to weights of drugs found, number of images of child pornography identified, or the nature of the crime specific elements associated with a terrorism charge. Those facts will constrain a federal district court judge. And, so, a Raleigh federal lawyer can limit your exposure through a carefully negotiated plea agreement.

It’s sometimes said by Raleigh defense lawyers that the only thing they fear more than God is a federal district judge. That’s because a federal district judge has such power to accept or reject, or sentence within some very harsh federal penalties.

Here’s the thing you should keep in mind. If you’ve been accused of a crime by the federal government, you should hire an attorney who not only can try the case if it can be tried successfully before a jury, but can negotiate the best possible sentence, if trying the case would result in a worse outcome.

Raleigh criminal lawyer Damon Chetson helps individuals charged with crimes - misdemeanors, felonies, and DWI and traffic charges - in Raleigh, Cary, Apex and other communities in Wake County and the Research Triangle of North Carolina. DWI Raleigh lawyer Damon Chetson is available day or night, weekdays or weekends. Call him at (919) 352-9411 day or night.

Raleigh DWI Lawyer: Drugged Driving Looms as a Problem

The New York Times has an extensive front page article on the problem of drugged driving. While it's long been illegal to drive while impaired - whether by alcohol or any other impairing substance - in North Carolina, law enforcement has focused on catching and prosecuting people who are impaired by alcohol. ...

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Fair Sentencing and DWI Convictions

North Carolina uses a structured sentencing system for most of its criminal law. This system is a grid system where a person's prior record level and the seriousness of the current crime are used to establish a sentencing range. Within that range, the judge can set an appropriate sentence. If you have questions ...

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Can police search your computer via Peer-to-Peer Networks?

The Fourth Amendment gives people a right against unreasonable searches and seizures: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to ...

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Raleigh Criminal Lawyer: DNA Database Expanded

The North Carolina General Assembly passed a new law this week that would expand the state's DNA database by allowing police agencies to collect DNA samples from suspects when they are charged with certain crimes. The bill authorizes law enforcement to hold people who refuse to give a sample. If charges are dropped or the ...

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Internet Criminal Lawyer Raleigh

There are many different types of Internet crimes, including child pornography, wire fraud, copyright crimes, trademark crimes, bank fraud, and other kinds of theft or embezzlement. If you've been accused of using your computer or the internet to commit a crime, it's important for you to find an attorney who is very familiar with ...

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Criminal Lawyers Raleigh NC

There are many fine criminal lawyers Raleigh NC who can help you with your state or federal criminal matter. The most important step if you are facing charges or potential charges is to talk to a Raleigh NC criminal lawyer to make sure that you are protecting all of your rights. My initial consultations are free, and ...

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Tax Implications of an Embezzlement Raleigh

Embezzlement can have multiple different aspects. First, there is the harm caused to the victim - employer, owner, company, corporation, state agency - caused by the embezzlement Raleigh. Second, there is the loss of trust. Because embezzlement occurs where one person has been entrusted with assets - money, goods, accounts, credit cards ...

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Embezzlement Raleigh: Blaming You for Everything!

In tough economic times, embezzlement becomes and even more common crime. North Carolina embezzlement law defines the crime as the taking of money or things of value that have been entrusted to an employee, clerk, officer, or other agent by the alleged victim. A Raleigh embezzlement case typically involves an employee - someone with access ...

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