Criminal Defense Attorney in U.S. Federal & Florida and Illinois Courts

“Official Acts” Definition- Must Know Rules For Politicians!

Robert F. McDonnell v. United States, No. 15-474. Supreme Court of the United States.  Decided June 27, 2016. In 2014, the Federal Government indicted former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen McDonnell, on bribery charges. The charges related to the acceptance by the McDonnells of $175,000 in loans, gifts, and other benefits from Virginia businessman […]

Government’s Pretrial Seizure of Defendant’s Untainted Assets NOT Allowed

Sila Luis v. US,  No. 14-419.  (United States Supreme Court March 30, 2016) A federal statute provides that a court may freeze before trial certain assets belonging to a criminal defendant accused of violations of federal health care or banking laws. See 18 U. S. C. §1345. Those assets include: (1) property “obtained as a result […]

FRE 701 Opinion Testimony by Lay Witnesses – Boilerplate Rules

United States v. Terry Joe Smith, Nos. 14-3744 & 14-3721.   Terry Joe Smith, a police officer in Putnam County, Indiana (roughly midway between Indianapolis and Terre Haute), was convicted by a jury in federal court of violating 18 U.S.C. § 242 by depriving two persons, under color of state law (which is to say in […]