February 5, 2012

Lindsay Lohan Enjoyed Her House Arrest

Lindsay Lohan apparently enjoyed her house arrest.

David Cassidy Avoids Jail (And You Can, Too!)

David Cassidy to perform community service for his DUI. If you have a DUI, see if community service is an option for you.

Bailing Your Friend Out of Jail

By Ryan Michael Wells –

If your friend ends up in jail, and it doesn’t look like he’s going to be released any time soon, you’ll probably want to bail him out. Obviously, pretty much anyone can bail someone out of jail in Florida, as long as they have a relationship with the arrestee, so you shouldn’t feel pressured into putting down large sums of money, since it is highly possible that someone else will take on that burden.

However, if you feel comfortable with doing it, you’ll be entering into an extremely serious business that relies on a great deal of responsibility and trust. You’ll want to talk to a Florida bail bond agency who will ask you for a number of details about the arrestee. These will primarily be about the nature of his crime, your relationship with them, and other personal details. The bail bond agency will normally have its own databases to look up inmates in the local jails. The more information you can provide, and the speed at which you can provide it, the smoother the process will be.

Once the original details have been taken, the Florida bail bond agency will make a decision on whether to work with you and your friend. They will not take on the responsibility if they feel that there is too much risk, but if you have provided genuine information and have a strong relationship with the inmate, you should be fine. The bail bond agency will then start talking about money, and will expect 10% of the full bail amount as a deposit before contacting the jail. They may also ask for collateral to cover their risk, which normally comes in the form of an asset that can be sold to cover the full bail amount, in case the arrestee skips out on their bail.

After the bail bond agency has contacted the jail, it is simply a matter of waiting patiently for the jail to release the arrestee. This might take some time, but normally only takes a few hours.  However, some Florida jails have been known to take up to 12 hours to release a defendant. Once released, it is important that you work closely with your friend to ensure that he or she appears in court when summoned, and fulfils the conditions of their bail. Depending on the area of the city the bail bondsman covers, it is sometime normal that the bail bondsman requests that you check in once a week or so. For instance, take our [http://www.ryanwellsbailbonds.com/]Jacksonville Bail Bonds company, the city is so large and spread out, it is even more important to stay in close contact to ensure there is no forfeiture.   http://www.brennanbail.com

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How to Survive Jail – Tips You Need to Know

By Greg Mascetani –

Whenever you are accused of a certain crime, there is a certain penalty for it. One very common penalty is imprisonment. This penalty is very saddening since you have to be separated from your loved ones. Not only this, you will have to spend every waking hour with total strangers who have done something wrong themselves. You may be wondering how to survive jail. It is actually easy to survive as long as you follow the steps that will be mentioned hereunder.

One thing you should remember is to not show any form of vulnerability whether it is fear or loneliness, or you will become the slave of your inmates. It is also wise to engage in some recreational activities or even a prison job because it’s a good way to use your time wisely. Do not divulge your personal life and the reason why you are locked up. Just let them wonder but do not carry too far.

Avoid being part of the social circle of jail. There are different types of personalities inside the cell. There is the “punk”, who is known for being the personal slave of the bullies. If you are asked to be a punk, fight back. Whatever happens, do not give in. Do not be a snitch as well. Snitches are the ones that tell authorities about the illegal doings of his fellow inmates. Being a snitch may mean that you are in good terms with the police, but not with the inmates. They might beat you up, and that spells trouble. It is better to just keep your mouth shut.

When you are inside, do not show any signs of weakness or shyness. Be aware that the nights will be the worst times. You will miss your loved ones and your freedom. You might cry, but do not let anyone see and hear you. Lastly, behave well. You never know – they might release you earlier than you expect. These tips on how to survive jail are essential if you want to survive your sentence in prison.

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Using Bail To Get Out Of Jail – What A Civil Idea

By Aazdak Alisimo

When you really think about it, the concept of bail is a pretty civilized idea. If you’ve been arrested for a crime, buying your freedom is probably a small price to pay.

The story of bail could be said to have originated in medieval England where the local sheriff had the basic right to hold an accused person or to release him prior to trial. Apparently, this system was much abused with the sheriff deciding those who could pay him the most deserved to wait for their trials at home, and the ones unable to pay would wait in the jail. As early as 1275, laws were enacted to define what offenses were “bail offences”, and which were not.

The problem came to a head in the 17th century. The King of England, Charles I, decided he needed some loans from his nobles. Those that refused to make the loans were imprisoned. Apparently, the idea was that the nobles would rot in jail while the King worked out exactly what offense they had committed and arranged a trial. This process could have been extended forever. The English Parliament got involved and passed the Habeas Corpus Act of 1679 that said that an Englishman could not be held without a chance to post some sort of surety bond unless accused of a heinous crime or some other justifiable circumstance.

Ten years, later, the English Bill of Rights made this a basic part of English law. People were guaranteed the right to be free from excessive and unreasonable bail that was designed to hold them in jail unfairly before an actual trial or sentence. This became the basis of the 8th Amendment in the United States Bill of Rights. The concept of Habeas Corpus was established. It is based on the concept that no man is guilty until proven so in a court of law, and so, does not deserve to be imprisoned until a trial has decreed a sentence.

Bail became the way to insure this right, and it could not be excessive or unfair. Yet, on the other hand, although people are innocent until proven guilty, some of them are guilty and will eventually be proven so. The bail system had to insure against the release of criminals who would only flee and either escape or be recaptured at great expense.

In the United States, the major issues that have been addressed by the various changes in the bail laws have been of the danger of released accused fleeing or, worse, committing additional crimes. The idea that certain people pose a danger to the community and should be denied bail is at the heart of the current United States Code regarding bail. This determination demands a judicial decision. The question of the rights of the accused versus the safety of the community underlie all debate on bail laws.

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Credit Card Fraud Penalties

By Debra Feinberg -

What is the penalty for credit card fraud?

Credit card fraud penalties and credit card fraud sentence varies by felony and misdemeanor classes and by jurisdiction and state. Find general sentencing information in New York below (we are federal criminal lawyers and handle all state and federal credit card fraud cases).

1. Third degree identity theft is class A misdemeanor (penal code 190.78

2. Second degree identity theft is a class E felony (penal code 190.79)

3. First degree identity theft is a class D felony (penal code 190.80)

4. Third degree unlawful possession of personal identifying information is a class A misdemeanor (penal code 190.81)

5. Second degree unlawful possession of personal identifying information is a class E felony (penal code 190.82)

6. First degree unlawful possession of personal identifying information is a class D felony (penal code 190.83)

Credit Card Fraud Penalties
Credit Card Fraud Sentence Information

Class C Credit Card Penalties Possible

First Offense
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time or probation
Highest amount of time possible :    5 to 15 years in prison

Repeat Offense (Non Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      3 to 6  years in prison
Highest amount of time possible :    7 ½ to 15 years in prison

Repeat Offense (Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      3 to 6 years in prison
Highest amount of time possible :    7 ½ to 15 years in prison

Class D Non Violent Felony Penalties

First Offense
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time or probation
Highest amount of time possible :    2 1/3 to 7 years in prison

Repeat Offense (Non Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      2 to 4      years in prison
Highest amount of time possible :    3 ½ to 7  years in prison

Class E Non Violent Felony Penalties

First Offense
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    1 1/3 to 4 years in prison

Repeat Offense (Non Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      1 ½ to 3 years in prison
Highest amount of time possible :    2 to 4 years in prison

Repeat Offense (Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      1.5 to 3years in prison
Highest amount of time possible :    2 to 4 years in prison

Class A Misdemeanor Credit Card Fraud Sentence Possible

First Offense
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    1 year in jail

Repeat Offense (Non Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    1 year in jail

Repeat Offense (Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    1 year in jail

Class B Misdemeanor

First Offense
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    90 days in jail

Repeat Offense (Non Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    90 days in jail

Repeat Offense (Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    90 days in jail

Violation Penalties

First Offense
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    15 days in jail

Repeat Offense (Non Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    15 days in jail

Repeat Offense (Violent Predicate)
Lowest Amount of time possible:      no jail time
Highest amount of time possible :    15 days in jail

(note: federal sentencing for credit card fraud the sentencing standards for credit card fraud are classified as a Class C felony first offense and Class B felony for repeat offenses).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debra_Feinberg

And a Misdemeanor Is?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeremiah_Denslow]Jeremiah Denslow

Each state and the federal government have its own system to classify crimes according to their legal code. Although you would think this would cause mass confusion, most times the crimes are along very similar lines with similar definitions.

Felonies are the most serious offenses, often punishable with a prison term of over a year. In more serious felonies the penalty may be death. On the other hand, a misdemeanor means going to jail for less than a year because the nature of the crime is not as serious.

Once you get into the misdemeanors, you get further categories broken out based on the severity of the crime. For instance a Class A misdemeanor is the most serious, with a jail term not exceeding a year plus a fine (variable from state to state.)

If you’re up for a Class B misdemeanor, it is usually a jail sentence of less than 180 days. Class C misdemeanors only carry fines. Felonies on the other hand are much more serious and include capital felonies such as first-degree murder. In jurisdictions with the death penalty, capital felonies may have either the death penalty or life in prison.

Again once you’re into the serious felony charges you have degrees assigned to the crimes. For instance first-degree felonies usually come with prison terms with a range of no less than five years to life.

Your second-degree felonies have jail time of up to 20 years but not less than a deuce (2 years). Third-degree felonies come with prison sentences of no more than 10 years and a deuce less.

You may be wondering how the various crimes are distinguished and how they fit into one category or another. Generally speaking, the decision on how such and such a crime is pegged for classification is based on what the state law says about that crime, any prior offenses and either aggravating or mitigating factors.

While you may think that the wheels of justice grind exceedingly slow and fine, overall the various classifications and penalties do suit the crimes. Rather like that saying referring to doing the crime and doing the time.

Jeremiah Denslow is a Dayton Divorce Lawyer in Dayton Ohio with Denslow Law Firm. The firm specializes in family law. Jeremiah also practices Dayton criminal defense. To learn more, visit Denslowlaw.com.

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The Bail Bondsman Coming To The Rescue

By Mike Selvon

Prisons and jails will always be needed until humanity reaches the point where no crimes are committed. Prepare yourself for disappointment, because that is not going to be anytime in the near future. People are arrested for everything from domestic disputes to violent crimes.

The bail bondsman is there to help those people get out of jail and have the opportunity to continue to lead their lives while awaiting trial. Once you know the process of using a bail bond agency or bail bond agents, you will be one step closer to freedom.

If you do find yourself on the wrong end of the law’s long arm, then it is good to know what is going to happen. The very first thing, as you might have guessed, is that you are going to be arrested and booked on whatever crime has allegedly occurred.

Just remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. The second step is a judge setting the bail bond. A bail bond is how much money it will take in order for you to get out of jail until the hearing.

Once the bail bond is set you have two options. Option A is to pay the entire bond out of pocket. The great thing about this option is that you will pay no fees and once you show up in court you will get your money back.

Option B is that you contact a county bail bond agent who will pay the bond, or rather guarantee the bond for you. You will have to pay a 10% fee of the total bond amount. The downside to this option is that the fee is non-refundable.

Next on the agenda involves being released with the bail bondsman. It is very important to remember that someone else has taken on the responsibility of your release from jail. You must show up to court or you will find yourself hunted down by a bail enforcement agent, otherwise known as a bounty hunter. That is one situation you want to avoid.

Once you have shown up to court, you will either have a trial or you will have to pay a fine, which will be determined by a jury or a judge, respectively. Best case scenario is that this never happens because you stayed on the straight and narrow path and obeyed the law. If you do find yourself in a sticky situation, then a bail bondsman is going to be your best friend for quite awhile or at least until you show up in court.

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When Traffic Tickets Become Traffic Crimes

By Rob Skubiak -

When you get pulled over for a traffic violation, you may be concerned about getting a fine, or even having points charged to your license. However, depending on what you’re being accused of, a fine might be the least of your worries. The penalties for traffic violations vary from one state to the next, but one thing remains the same: traffic violations such as DUI, reckless driving, hit and run, and leaving the scene of an accident are all considered traffic crimes. Being charged with any of these violations always leads to the potential for criminal charges and jail time, depending on your location and the severity of the crime.

DUI- In most states, you will be arrested and taken to the jail for holding. Depending on how drunk you are and how you behave, you may be able to be released that same day, although your driving privileges may be suspended until your court hearing. When you go to court, the judge will ultimately decide the fate of your case. If you are in a severe case, you may be kept in jail until your trial date, which can be anywhere from two days to two weeks after your initial arrest. To get the best results, you should hire a DUI lawyer to defend your case.

Hit and Run- Being charged with a hit-and-run accident is very serious. Leaving the scene of an accident isn’t a traffic violation, it’s a crime. You will be arrested and entitled to a court hearing, with the possiblility of jail time for your violation. Again, the exact laws in each state will vary, so you’ll need to check with your specific state for exact details.

Reckless Driving- This is another traffic violation that is a crime in most states. Although your first charge will probably elicit a simple ticket, you’re still at a higher risk for being charged with a crime in most states. Also, you need to remember that the severity of your reckless driving charges will define just how severe your punishment is. You might just get a ticket and a fine, but you might wind up in jail or have to face a court hearing. If the latter is your situation, don’t panic. You can hire a qualified traffic lawyer to defend your case.

If you’ve been charged with a traffic violation that has spiraled into a traffic crime, you don’t have to face it alone. There are thousands of qualified traffic lawyers that are out there, waiting to help you with all of your legal needs. You can utilize resources such as Lawyers.com and Legal Match, to help you find the perfect traffic lawyer for your needs. All you need to do is to research your crimes and the consequences of them, and hire a qualified traffic lawyer to defend you. Then you’ll at least have a fighting chance at getting your charges dropped or lowered.

Rob Skubiak is a successful [http://www.trafficlawfirm.com/florida-dui-attorney.html]Florida Traffic Ticket Attorneys specializing in Florida DUI ‘s and Orlando traffic ticket attorney offenses. He started Skubiak and Rivas, P.A. in 1992 and has brought on Alain Rivas as his partner. Rob has appeared in courtrooms all over Florida defending his Florida traffic ticket clients. Official Website of Skubiak and Rivas, P.A. Orlando Traffic Ticket attorneys.

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Criminal Bail Bonds

By Damian Sofsian

Criminal bail bonds are necessary for people who have been accused of a crime to get out of jail while awaiting court dates and/or trials. Once people are charged with crimes, they are entitled to apply for bail while the court case is being processed. There are companies that specifically deal in the processing and approval of bail bonds.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is considered a crime. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) is similar to a DUI, and is also a crime. When arrested for DUI or DWI, it is often very serious. The court proceedings often take months, sometimes even a year or more, so it is common for people involved in these cases to seek and post bail, so as not to spend the time waiting for the court dates in jail, but rather at home.

Criminal bail bond agencies help the accused make bail, which can be very high at times, and friends/family may not have the money for it on hand. Bail bond agencies normally collect particular percentage of the total bail amount (as dictated by law) and assure the court that the defendants will appear to all hearings as and when required.

Bail bond agencies collect 10% of the bail amount as a premium. To have a friend/relative freed from jail, this amount has to be paid instantly. Once the payment is received, the procedures for getting that person released from the jail are arranged.

Criminal bail bonds may sound simple, but in general, they are not. These proceedings take a long time and one has to be very patient. Especially in metropolitan cities, the number of crimes is increasing and so the criminal bail bond businesses aren?t lacking in customers. [http://www.bailbonds-web.com]Bail Bonds provides detailed information on Bail Bond Agents, Bail Bond Companies , Bail Bond License, Bail Bond Schools and more. Bail Bonds is affiliated with [http://www.i-lawenforcement.com]Law Enforcement Training.

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