by Michelle Sparrow | Mar 2, 2015 | Criminal Law Blog, Misdemeanors
We are talking about tax evasion, or the willful attempt to avoid paying a lawfully due tax. As a refresher from our last post, it’s a felony, and you can land in prison for as long as five years. The question, of course, is how the IRS figures out that someone... by Michelle Sparrow | Feb 27, 2015 | Criminal Law Blog, Misdemeanors
We say it often, but it bears repeating: In criminal law, intent is almost everything. You may knock someone out in a bar fight and find yourself in jail. If the prosecutor can prove that you hit the guy intending to kill him, you are facing much more serious charges.... by Michelle Sparrow | Feb 24, 2015 | Criminal Law Blog, Violent Crimes
We came across a blog post once that began, “It is unpleasant to be charged with a sex crime.” It is a true statement, certainly, but it fell a little short of the typical lead-in to a discussion of such a difficult and sensitive subject. Yes, it can be... by Michelle Sparrow | Feb 23, 2015 | Criminal Law Blog, Violent Crimes
We are still discussing — and still very much thinking about — the domestic abuse public service announcement that aired during the Super Bowl. Sponsored by the nonprofit No More and, incongruously, the NFL, the ad uses an actual 911 call. The 911 operator... by Michelle Sparrow | Feb 16, 2015 | Criminal Law Blog, Violent Crimes
We realize we are a little slow to get to the water cooler with our post-Super Bowl rundown. The game aired Feb. 1 and managed to keep viewers’ interest to the last. But chat about the game is not the only thing that offices buzz about the day after: The ads are...