Federal Crimes

Bribery, FISA/FISC Matters, Public Corruption Charges, Extradition, Identity Theft, Weapons Charges, Extortion & Blackmail, Money Laundering, Wire Fraud

Bribery
Bribery involves giving money or gifts or some item of value in order to influence the recipient of the gift. Have your been charged with Bribery?

FISA/FISC Matters
FISA Established that non-criminal electronic surveillance within the U.S. was only allowable for the intention of collecting foreign counterintelligence and foreign intelligence. Identified agents of foreign powers, and foreign powers themselves, as the persons and entities that could be the targets of electronic surveillance determined a standard for probable cause that had to be first met before electronic surveillance was deemed allowableThe

FISC is a federal court created by the FISA. The FISC deals with applications made by the U.S.Government for approval of physical search, electronic surveillance, and certain other types of investigative actions for purposes of foreign intelligence. Have you been charged with a FISA/FISC matter?

Public Corruption Charges
Public corruption broadly entails the breach of public trust or abuse of position by federal, state, or local officials and their private sector accomplices. Public corruption extends to any activity that, either by design or in effect, defrauds the government of public funds.

Extradition
Extradition is the surrender of a person alleged to have committed a crime in one country by the country in which that person presently is located. The purpose of extradition is to prevent nations from becoming safe havens for fugitives and criminals from other nations.

Identity Theft
Identity theft, or identity fraud, involves someone pretending to be someone else by assuming their identity, usually to gain access to credit or other resources, obtain a loan, or commit fraud. Have you been charged with Identity Theft?

Weapons Charges
A few acts that might lead to being charged with a weapons offense are using a weapon to injure or kill another person, attempting to harm another person with a weapon, threatening another individual with a weapon, unlawfully discharging a firearm, selling or purchasing weapons illegally, concealing or possessing an illegal weapon, illegally enhancing a firearm or weapon, carrying a firearm without a permit or Illegally smuggling a firearm. Have you been charged with Weapons charges?

Extortion & Blackmail
Extortion and blackmail are similar crimes, both of which involve the use of some type of threat to coerce another person into any action they are not required to do. Have you been charged with Extortion and Blackmail?

Money Laundering
Money laundering is the process of taking the proceeds of illegally obtained money and transforming it into what appears to be legitimate assets or money. Have you been charged with Money Laundering?

Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is a very serious white collar crime which is aggressively prosecuted by federal agencies. Crimes under wire fraud are committed using the internet, phone lines, fax lines, or any other communication systems for the purpose of carrying out deceptive financial crimes. Have you been charged with Wire Fraud?

White Collar Crimes

Bank Fraud, FCPA, Mortgage Fraud, Securities Fraud, Forgery, Embezzlement, Insider Trading, Structuring

Bank Fraud
Bank fraud can relate to any fraudulent activity committed within a bank or targeting a bank.

FCPA
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) makes it illegal for companies and individuals in the U.S. and foreign companies with ties to the U.S. to bribe foreign officials for the benefit of obtaining or retaining business in foreign countries.

Mortgage Fraud
Mortgage fraud involves intentionally misrepresenting information to get a mortgage loan, or to get a larger loan than one would have otherwise received. This includes material omission, misrepresentation, or misstatement of information relied upon by a lender to fund a loan.

Securities Fraud
Securities fraud, also known as stock fraud and investment fraud, is a deceptive practice in the stock or commodities markets that induces investors to make purchase or sale decisions on the basis of false information. Have you been charged with Securities Fraud?

Forgery
Forgery is an age-old crime that can generally be explained as making, altering, or imitating objects or documents with the intent to deceive.

Embezzlement
Embezzlement is a type of financial fraud that involves withholding money to which one has been entrusted, for the purpose of converting that money for their own use.

Insider Trading
Illegal insider trading occurs when a company stock or security is bought or sold by a person with access to confidential or non-public information about the company. When an individual takes advantage of this insider information, it is considered a breach of their fiduciary duty. Insider trading can also include “tipping” of this privileged information to others. Have you been charged with Insider Trading?

Structuring
Money structuring specifically refers to individuals who are actively trying to avoid paying the IRS in some way. This may be tied to money laundering or tax evasion in some way or be related to money obtained illegally. In some cases, money structuring can involve a plan to have many different people handle financial transactions at separate banks to avoid reporting.

Criminal Defense

Assaulting a Police officer/Public Employee, Crimmigration, Grand Juries, OUI, Sealing Criminal Records, Violent Crimes, Manslaughter, Attempted Murder, Battery Charges, Assault Charges, Open and Gross Incident?

Assaulting a Police officer/Public Employee
For some people who have a run-in with the police, even if they didn’t harm anyone, they may end up with a charge of assaulting a police officer. Common reasons for arrest are that they may have tried to resist handcuffs being placed on their wrists or pushing back against an overly aggressive cop. Have you been charged with Assaulting a Police officer/Public Employee?

Crimmigration
It refers to a body of law in the immigration law that deals with criminal offenses and their effects on someone’s immigration status. Have you been charged with Crimmigration?

Grand Juries
The purpose of a grand jury is simply for the prosecutor to have a legal setting to present evidence regarding the criminal charges they have filed against the accused. The main reason for a grand jury is to review evidence and hear testimony. These proceedings are secret and, in most cases, the prosecutor’s argument is the only one presented. They convene the grand jury and present their side of the case. If the grand jury finds that a crime was committed, they return an indictment, which is then filed. Have you been subpoenaed by a Grand Jury?

OUI
Under Massachusetts law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher, or while under the influence of drugs. For drivers under the age of 21, the limit is 0.02 percent BAC, which for most people would be triggered by only one drink. For drivers of commercial vehicles, the limit is 0.04 percent BAC. Have you been charged with OUI/Manslaughter?

Sealing Criminal Records
Even If you have been convicted of a previous crime you may be able to seal your criminal record, which can help you to obtain employment, get loans, and secure better housing.

Violent Crimes
When a victim is harmed by or threatened with violence it is considered a violent crime. Violent crimes include rape and sexual assault, robbery, assault and murder. Have you been charged with a Violent crime?

Manslaughter
The killing of another individual by an intentional act (intentionally committing the act which resulted in the victims death) or by culpable negligence. Have you ever been charged with Manslaughter?

Attempted Murder
The unsuccessful act of killing. This crime involves taking action toward killing another person and intending to kill, not just merely injure. Some actions that are considered direct steps may include: stalking, luring, tracking, breaking-in, ambushing, soliciting, and constructing materials necessary for the murder. Have you ever been charged with Attempted Murder?

Battery Charges
Battery is defined as a non-consensual physical act that results in threatening, offensive or harmful contact with a person. Even if you have made a threatening statement that caused a person to believe that they were in danger of physical harm, you may be facing a battery charge. Have you been charged with a Battery Charge?

Assault Charges
Assault is defined as the threat of bodily harm combined with an apparent ability to cause bodily harm. Assault is considered both a crime and a tort. Therefore an assault charge could result in a criminal conviction or civil liability. Have you been charged with Assault Charges?

College Students
College is one of the first times when most people are fully independent and living on their own. While this may be great fun, it can, unfortunately, lead to lapses in judgment, making the wrong friends, or even getting into legal trouble. At Dhar Law, LLP, our Boston college student defense attorneys have extensive experience representing college students against all types of charges, helping avoid the consequences of a conviction, such as expulsion. Are you facing some sort of charge as a college student?

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence occurs when someone causes physical harm, attempted physical harm, creates fear of imminent physical harm, or engages in unwanted sexual contact with family or household members. Domestic violence does not always require actual violent action. Have you been charged with Domestic Violence?

Homicide-Jury-Trials
The charge of Homicide consists of the following possible charges. First-Degree Murder – Is the most serious homicide charge, which is committed with premeditated malice or with extreme cruelty or atrocity. Second-Degree Murder – Is distinguished by the lack of a premeditation requirement. A death that occurred as part of a different felony crime such as robbery, rape, or another serious crime, can be charged as first- or second-degree murder. This is known as felony murder. Manslaughter – Involuntary manslaughter involves the unlawful killing of another person as the result of reckless conduct or during the commission of a battery. Voluntary manslaughter, however, is a common law crime and involves some sort of mitigating circumstances to reduce the crime down from murder, such as a “heat of passion” claim.

Felony Murder
For first-degree felony murder to apply, the death has to occur in the commission, or attempted commission, of a crime punishable by life imprisonment. This could include arson, kidnapping, rape, or burglary.

Second-degree felony murder
Involves the death of another in the course of a felony, which is punishable by less than life in prison. Even if a co-criminal dies in the commission of the felony crime, the surviving suspect may be charged with their death as a felony murder charge.

Attempted Murder
Even where no one is killed, a defendant can be charged with attempted murder. Attempted murder requires the intent to commit murder with the defendant taking an overt act towards committing murder by poisoning, drowning, strangling, or any other means not constituting an assault. Talking about killing someone is not enough to show attempted murder. The prosecution must prove that the defendant took some physical action towards completing the act. Have you been charged with Attempted Murder?

Post-Conviction Motions & Appeals
Post-conviction relief is intended to allow a full review with the possibility of a second chance at freedom. We work to challenge the previous verdict and get a new trial or modification of your sentence, depending on the circumstances. This may include arguing that there were errors of which the defense was not aware, as well as newly discovered evidence or other important issues.

Sex Crimes
Includes all types of criminal violations involving sexual activity, abuse, exploitation, or actions taken for sexual gratification. Have you been charged with a Sex Crime?

Rape Charges
Unlawful sexual activity, most often involving sexual intercourse, against the will of the victim through force or the threat of force or with an individual who is incapable of giving legal consent because of minor status, mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception. Have you been accused of Rape Charges?

Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is defined by law as the act of intentionally and knowingly penetrating someone’s sexual organ or mouth without consent. If you engaged in sexual activity with another person without their consent you may face sexual assault charges.

Statutory Rape
Statutory rape is a sex crime and sex crimes are harshly punished by the law. In general definition, statutory rape is defined as the act of engaging in sexual intercourse with a person who is under 18 (a minor). The law is determined on a state by state basis so the law in Massachusetts could surprise you. Have you been charged with Statutory Rape?

Misdemeanors
Are considered to be lesser offenses than felonies, and typically result in a jail sentence of up to 1 year. Penalties can range from jail time to community service. In some cases, a criminal record can be sealed. Have you been been charged with a Misdemeanor ?

Juvenile Criminal Penalties
Most juvenile courts have a wide range of sentencing options, which are used primarily to punish juveniles who have been found “delinquent,” or guilty of violating a criminal law. This includes things like incarceration and non-incarceration options. Have you been charged with a Juvenile Criminal Penalty?

Drug trafficking is the crime of selling, transporting, or illegally importing controlled substances. It’s also known as drug distribution. Have you been charged with Drug Trafficking?

Hit & Run Charges
A hit & run is a traffic violation that involves willfully leaving the scene of an accident. If the victim was physically harmed, you may face felony charges. Have you been charged with a Hit and Run Charge?

RMV Fraud
The act of falsely obtaining, stealing, counterfeiting, or using any of the following documents: Driver’s license, Learner’s permit, Vehicle registration certificate, Identification card, Inspection sticker. Have you been charged with RMV Fraud?

Theft and Property Crimes
Arson, vandalism, and theft can result in misdemeanor or felony charges that carry serious, long-lasting penalties. Have you been charged with a Theft and Property Crime?

Burglary
You have committed a burglary offense if you have, without consent, entered a private habitation / building with the intent to commit a felony. In addition, you may be charged with burglary if you concealed yourself in the habitation / building in which you committed / intended to commit a felony offense. The penalties for burglary range from fines to more severe punishments. Have you been charged with Burglary?

Grand Theft Auto
Grand theft is defined as the theft of property which is worth more than a certain dollar amount (generally between $500 and $1,000). In Massachusetts, theft of a vehicle is charged as grand theft auto. Grand theft and grand larceny are felonies in Massachusetts. Grand theft auto carries a number of serious penalties. Have you been charges with Grand Theft Auto?

Shoplifting Charges
Shoplifting is a form of larceny, and occurs when an individual deprives another person of their property without their permission and with the intent of permanently depriving the property owner. If shoplifting is proven, in addition to criminal charges you may be held liable under civil law to the owner of the stolen property for damages up to $500, or you may be required to pay retail value for the merchandise if the property is not recoverable. Shoplifting penalties can be severe and can affect many areas of your life.

Felony Charges
Felonies are often crimes that involve violence and are considered harmful or dangerous to society. Examples of felonies include: Burglary, Arson, Robbery, Rape, Larceny, Kidnapping, Murder, Manslaughter, Mayhem. Have your been charged with Felony Charges?

Open and Gross Incident

An open and gross incident typically refers to conduct involving indecent exposure or lewd acts in public that cause alarm or distress to others. In Massachusetts, this charge requires proof that the behavior was intentional, occurred in a public setting, and directly caused someone to feel alarm or shocked. This is not a minor infraction—open and gross lewdness is considered a serious offense and can result in severe legal penalties. Examples of behavior leading to these charges include public nudity or exposure with the intent to provoke attention, such as flashing. Have You Been Arrested for an Open and Gross Incident?

Continuance Without a Finding (CWOF) in Massachusetts

A CWOF is an agreement between the defendant and the court in which the case is continued for a specific period, usually with conditions such as probation, community service, or restitution. If the defendant successfully meets these conditions, the case is dismissed. However, failure to comply can result in the CWOF being converted into a conviction. While a CWOF can be beneficial in avoiding a permanent criminal record, it is not suitable for every case, and understanding its implications requires legal expertise. A skilled attorney can explain how a CWOF might impact your future and help you decide the best course of action. Have you been charged with A Continuance Without a Finding (CWOF) in Massachusetts?

An Open and Gross Incident” in Massachusetts?

Under Massachusetts law, an open and gross incident refers to behavior that involves exposing oneself in a manner that is offensive and designed to shock or alarm individuals who witness it. This charge requires prosecutors to prove specific elements, including intent to alarm and that at least one person was alarmed to a significant degree. It is more severe than a simple indecent exposure charge and carries heavier penalties. Understanding the nuances of this offense is crucial, and a skilled criminal defense attorney can help clarify the charges and develop an effective defense strategy. Have you been charged with Open and Gross Incident” in Massachusetts?

What Is OUI Manslaughter?

OUI manslaughter, often referred to as vehicular manslaughter while under the influence, occurs when a person operates a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs and causes a fatal accident. In Massachusetts, this is considered a felony offense under state law. Prosecutors must prove that the driver was under the influence, operating recklessly or negligently, and that their actions directly resulted in the victim’s death. Unlike standard OUI charges, OUI manslaughter carries far more severe penalties and requires a robust legal defense to navigate the complexities of the case. Have You Been Charged with OUI Manslaughter?