Dangerous Drugs Cases: Facts And Figures

Illegal substances have been a societal scourge for a long time now. They have led to countless tragedies over past centuries. But it was only in the 60s that the popularity of dangerous drugs spiked, when music and media presented them as a “cool” counterpoint for all the violence and oppression rampant during the era.

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Over 200 million people take illegal substances in one form or another in the United States, according to a survey. That is a huge number by all accounts. Authorities and experts in the matter assume that almost everyone in the United States knows someone who dangerous drugs has affected – either directly or indirectly.

Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal substance in the United States. In the United States, people are slowly opening up to the idea of its legalization, especially when it serves a medicinal purpose. For recreational purposes though, surveys show that it is used by over 3% of all people ages 15 to 65.

According to reports, around half of high school students in America drank alcohol, and 1 out of every 5 has consumed marijuana, either through smoking or other means, in a single month.

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People should know the signs and symptoms of substance abuse, especially if they suspect someone they know might be into it. It is also very important that people know their rights when they are accused of using or dealing dangerous drugs. As mentioned earlier, substances like medicinal marijuana are gradually being legalized in some states. People should familiarize themselves with the law of the state and respective penalties when they are caught in possession of certain substances.

Allentown-based criminal defense attorney Michael J. Donohue specializes in criminal law cases, including those involving dangerous drugs. Visit this website for more details on him and his practice.

Spotting a Scammer: Fraud Protection

Scams have evolved as scammers have become more and more sophisticated with their means of tricking people into giving up money and information. With the advancement of technology, scammers have adapted and changed the way they operate. Nowadays, almost everyone, everywhere is a potential target. But there are ways for people to defend the things they hold dear.

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First off, people should be aware of the basic types of scams and how they are pulled off. For example, texts received on mobile phones announcing that a person has won certain prizes should be examined with great caution and scrutiny. Most of the time, the senders will ask for personal information such as credit card numbers to “confirm” the winner’s identity. The same applies to internet websites that ask for a person’s details.

With that in mind, people should always keep their personal info locked and secured. They should never share any important, personal details and numbers over the telephone or the internet. The only time this can be done is if the person him or herself knows the party he or she intends to share his or her personal information with.

In line with information security, passwords and PIN codes need to be changed every six months. ATM and credit card receipts should always be kept, and when throwing them away, it is best to shred them. These little pieces of paper are as important as any documents people have.

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Michael J. Donohue is a criminal defense lawyer based in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He handles a wide scope of lawsuits, including fraud cases. Learn more about Atty. Donohue’s legal practice here.

Not Quite What You See On Tv: Busting Myths On Criminal Law

The depictions of criminal litigation in popular culture often bears little resemblance to the legal practice in real life. Unless the production team has a dedicated legal adviser on board, errors and myths are likely to be present in most criminal law proceedings on television.

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In the real world, the day to day tasks and responsibilities of all aspects of criminal law are a lot slower and, thankfully, sometimes less absurd. Individuals, including those interested in taking up criminal law, should take the opportunity to dispel common myths surrounding the field.

The first and most common of all myths is the speed with which criminal cases are resolved. Actual cases can take more than a month to reach a conclusion, factoring in the need to accurately identify a suspect through investigations and the time required to process the forensic data. Moreover, TV shows frequently cite forensic science as providing the key to determining guilt from innocence; it is almost never as quick in reality.

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Misconceptions also abound in the actual practice of criminal law. This is apparent in the prevalence of the insanity defense in fiction. Long entrenched in comedy and drama as the clearly guilty individual's refuge in audacity, the insanity defense is rarely undertaken and seldom works. Other criminal defense strategies are typically preferred.

Finally, defendants should never assume that a prosecutor or judge would dispense an equal penalty off the bat and should have with them a seasoned criminal law attorney to advise them on the entire case.

Among the most experienced lawyers in Pennsylvania, Allentown-based Michael J. Donohue has helped criminal law cases over the course of a decade-long career. For more on him and his practice, visit this website.

Ensuring The Safety Of Children In Homes Haunted By Substance Abuse

Traditionally, child custody cases are part of divorce proceedings. Each state has its laws on determining which parent gains custody. The overall rule is that decisions are made for what is deemed to the best for the child. The child’s physical, financial, emotional, and mental well-being takes priority in anything.

This becomes especially apparent when child services are called for endangerment cases. Even if the parents have no intention of dissolving their marriage, children can be taken away if it found that the parents are unfit to take care of their child. Many factors are considered.

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Criminal law prosecutors are seeing an increasing trend of children growing up in homes haunted by substance abuse. These are normally more challenging to handle because there is normally no evidence of direct contact with the child. That is, drug paraphernalia or alcoholic bottles can be found littered in the homes, but children are often not the ones being injected with the drug or alcohol. If they are, these children rarely admit it, in fear of their parents. Similarly, parents or guardians never admit to harming the child directly. Many cases have paraphernalia but no actual harm.

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Another difficult aspect of these types of cases is that these are very rarely reported. Children often grow up in these environments and do not consider it strange or unusual. For those who do suffer from these conditions, children are often told by their parents not to report it to authorities.

What can be done is for teachers and neighbors to notice any drastic changes in children’s behavior or appearance. Even inhaling toxic fumes from certain drugs can manifest themselves in a child’s demeanor. Additionally, friends and families should carefully monitor drug or alcohol addicts who are taking care of very young children.

Atty. Micheal J. Donohue of Allentown, Pennsylvania is part of the trusted team at DONOHUE LAW. This firm specializes in criminal law and misdemeanor acts. Learn more when you visit this website.

An Primer On Disorderly Conduct

Briefly defined, disorderly conduct pertains to behaving in a disruptive manner. It is a broad term that describes a person’s actions that disturb others’ morals, safety, or health.

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Most states have their own disorderly conduct laws. Some state laws note that it is a crime to appear drunk in public. Other states charge people who fight on streets. The use of offensive language, catcalling, or loitering can also be described as an unruly conduct in some states. Members of the police often charge a person with disorderly conduct when they behave in an obnoxious manner, even without being a danger to the public.

Those charged with disorderly conduct are either asked to pay a certain fine or are brought to a local jail or precinct with a required bail. Penalties vary depending on the action done by the offender.

Offenders are first asked to stop the behavior as soon as a problematic situation arises. If the behavior escalates, witnesses can contact the police to report the situation. In most cases, police presence or involvement helps stop the behavior. But if the actions do not help, legal counsel may be necessary.

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Charged with disorderly conduct? Michael J. Donohue such lawsuits and other misdemeanor cases. Atty. Donohue is a criminal defense lawyer based in Allentown, Pennsylvania and the head of the law firm DONOHUE LAW. For more on Atty. Donohue and his legal practice, visit this website.