Criminal Defense Practice Areas
John Teakell is an experienced attorney and trial lawyer who has successfully prosecuted and defended a wide range of criminal offenses.
White Collar & Fraud Cases
Drug Crimes
Computer Charges
Firearms / Weapons
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Recent Postings by Dallas criminal defense attorney John Teakell.
Federal Prosecutions for False Statement(s) to Purchase a Firearm
Purchases of Firearms All purchases of new firearms are to be recorded and registered, with the purchaser’s information and identity. This is in part to determine if the potential purchaser has a felony conviction. If the prospective purchaser has a felony...
Persons Prohibited from Possessing Firearms, Including Juveniles
Introduction Among the many firearms violations listed in Title 18 of the U.S. Code, are those in the “prohibited persons” section. Section 922(d) is a list of person who are prohibited from possessing a firearm. Prohibited Persons – Title 18 U.S. Code Section 922...
FEDERAL ROBBERY PROSECUTIONS,
OR BUSINESS ROBBERIES
(INTERFERENCE WITH COMMERCE BY THREATS OR VIOLENCE)
Robbery is a crime that is traditionally prosecuted in state court, along with charges such as assault, theft, and manslaughter. These types of cases are routinely prosecuted as street crime, which usually does not have a federal connection. Call John Teakell to help you or someone you know handle a Federal Business Robbery.
CARRYING OR USING A FIREARM DURING DRUG TRAFFICKING Also Known as a “924(c)” Charge
Generally Drug trafficking or drug activities are often prosecuted in federal court, especially if the activities are on a larger scale. The U.S. Code makes it a separate crime if you carry OR use a firearm during a drug trafficking offense. This charge is known by...
Amber Guyger Testifies in Court: ‘I Hate That I Have to Live With This’
On Friday, after a year of silence, the world finally got to hear Amber Guyger’s account of the fatal shooting of Botham Jean. Through frequent tears, the former police officer of the Dallas Police Department described the evening she shot and killed Botham Jean, an...
What is your unique experience that sets your law firm apart from other Texas criminal defense?
SHOULD I DO A PROFFER SESSION?
Federal Investigation – Proffer “Proffer” is information given by a target/defendant to assist prosecutions or to show the target/defendant’s limited involvement. In federal criminal investigations, “proffers” are sometimes made...
CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT FRAUD – WHAT IS IT AND HOW TO REACT IF UNDER INVESTIGATION
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud A conspiracy is basically an agreement to commit a crime, with at least one act orstep taken to try to commit the crime. The more formal definition is: an agreementbetween two or more persons to commit an illegal act, with at least one...
FELON IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM PROSECUTIONS
Generally “Felon in Possession of a Firearm” is very often used when someone with a felony conviction simply possesses a firearm. It is regularly referred for federal prosecution when police find a handgun or rifle near a person arrested or detained. There often is...
INSURANCE FRAUD PROSECUTIONS
What is Insurance Fraud? Fraud is deception by false statements or representations with the intent toobtain financial or other gain. When an insurance company claims that it wasdefrauded, it refers to the activity as “insurance fraud.” People use the term“insurance...
FEDERAL DRUG TRAFFICKING RESULTING IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY OR DEATH
Federal Prosecutions Much of the drug trafficking in the United States consists of methamphetamine,cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. Federal prosecution for trafficking of illegal drugsalso includes synthetic drugs. Large drug trafficking cases are prosecuted as...
Identity Theft and Identification Fraud Charges in Federal Court
What are Identify Theft and Identity Fraud?Identity theft and identity fraud are crimes in which a person uses another's personal information for economic gain or for taking on the identity of another. These activities necessarily involve fraud, deception, false...
FRAUDULENT USE OR POSSESSION OF IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
What is "Use" or "Possession" of Identifying Information?In this information age most people have identity documents or other identifying information. These include credit cards, debit cards, Social Security numbers, passports, state driver’s licenses, and/or ID...
Health Care Fraud Prosecutions — Kickback Schemes
Health Care Fraud CasesThere are several fraud activities that are the basis for federal government investigations and prosecutions. Common prosecutions are for overbilling, upcoding, unnecessary procedures, procedures not performed, and prescribing treatments that...
TAX PREPARATION SERVICE PROSECUTIONS IN FEDERAL COURT
GenerallyTax preparation services frequently become the targets of federal criminal investigations of federal tax crimes. The charges that federal prosecutors use to formally charge tax preparation business owners and managers usually are Filing False Tax Returns,...
Charges Dropped on Allegations of Conspiracy, Fraud, and Identity Theft
Federal investigation into allegations that the client and others transferred and used monies received from a federal tax return scheme to benefit themselves and others.
Federal Charge on 20 Million dollar Tax Fraud Results In Only a 6 Month Sentence
Six (6) Months Only on a Federal Case – Southern District of New York, Conspiracy, Wire Fraud, and Money Laundering re RM. Federal Indictment in New York for a value-added tax scheme of over $20 million, alleged to have occurred from Mexico and Texas, to and...
Drug Felony Possession Charge Reduced to Class C Misdemeanor
Felony drug possession charged prosecuted in Dallas, County got reduced to a Class C misdemeanor.
Shavon Randle’s Case: All You Need to Know About Relevant Conduct
Thirteen-year-old Shavon Randle was kidnapped from a Lancaster home on June 28 after a dispute over $150,000 in stolen drugs that she had nothing to do with. She was found dead four days later, shot in the head and torso, at a house in east Oak Cliff, Dallas. Five...
OSHA Criminal Prosecutions
OSHA and Historical Actions The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act was established to ensure that employees have safe environments to do their work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the federal agency established to enforce the...
Manufacturing and Selling Firearms Without a License
Generally A person has to obtain a license as a federal firearms dealer if he/she is engaged in the business of selling firearms, see an experienced firearms attorney. Title 18 U.S. Code §921 contains various definitions of engaging the business of selling / being a...
Federal Criminal Process – a Summary
I. FEDERAL JURISDICTION Federal Cases The federal criminal process differs from a state court process, and it is more complex. Federal criminal cases are cases that have a federal connection and are prosecuted in federal court. Examples would be a fraud of a...
Cell Phone Prosecutions – What to Know
Fraud Schemes Related to Cell Phones Cell phone prosecutions are commonly prosecuted in federal court by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, meaning that there are charges for fraud related to cell phone sales, or charges for selling stolen cell phones. Fraud prosecutions...
Federal Drug Prosecutions
Introduction Much of drug trafficking in the United States consists of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin. Prosecution for federal drug cases for trafficking of illegal drugs also includes steroids, synthetic drugs, and misuse of prescriptions. These...
Computer Crime Prosecutions for Intrusions and Malware
Federal Charges The Computer Fraud Abuse Act lists the common computer crime charges Unauthorized Access of a Computer, and Exceeding Authorization to a Computer. These allegations basically include: (1) to obtain financial, credit or other sensitive...
How a Securities and Exchange Commission Case Can Become a Criminal Investigation
SEC Cases Generally The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has the authority to investigate civil fraud and other related matters concerning “securities” as they relate to investors and investments schemes. The SEC is authorized to seek: injunctions and...
Passport Fraud Prosecutions
Passports and Passport Fraud The term “passport fraud” is a phrase that is used to generally describe misrepresentations in applications for a passport or visa, as well as some misuse of the passport or visa. Violations of federal law for passport fraud and...
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud — How to React If Under Investigation
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud A conspiracy is basically an agreement to commit a crime, with at least one act or step taken to try to commit the crime. The more formal definition is: an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act, with at least one...
What to Do If You Are Charged With Tax Evasion
What is Tax Evasion? “Tax evasion” as it is generally called, is prosecuted in federal court as a felony offense that is either actually evasion of the payment of federal taxes, or the failure to file a federal income tax return. Charges sought by the U.S. Attorney...
What to Do If You Are Under Criminal Investigation
Target Status A “target” of a criminal investigation is a person against whom the prosecutor and law enforcement are working to obtain formal charges, that is, an Indictment. It is a term that is used in both federal investigations and state investigations, although...
“Pill Mill” Cases – Prescription Fraud Conspiracies
Health Care Fraud Cases “Health care fraud” often means that physicians and others working with them used their jobs to fraudulently obtain monies related to medical care, such as doctor visits, medication, medical procedures, or prescriptions. Prescriptions for drugs...
Health Care Fraud Prosecutions – Upcoding and Overbilling
Health Care Fraud Cases There are a variety of “health care fraud” activities that cause physicians and their staff to fraudulently obtain monies from insurance companies and/or government programs that involve doctor visits, chiropractic care, medical procedures,...
The Best Government Contracts Fraud Defense Strategies
Government contracts fraud is an active area of law nationwide, and Dallas is no exception. When federal or state dollars are channeled through programs to individuals and companies, the public demands and, by law, has a right to see the results from those funds. But...
Money Laundering: How You Could Be ‘Guilty’ Without Knowing It
Money laundering is a serious crime in which "dirty earnings," or funds earned through criminal activities, are funneled into an operation that seems legitimate in order to "wash" the cash for mainstream use. From a legal perspective, cases of money laundering aren't...
Drug Trafficking Conspiracies: Why a Strong Legal Defense Is Crucial
Drug trafficking conspiracies can be easy to prove the larger the ring of participants and the broader the investigation. One such case recently ensnared a Dallas man, who now faces possible life in prison for his involvement. According to the US Immigration and...
How Gun Crimes Charges Can Affect Your Second Amendment Rights, Even in Texas
Gun crimes have never been more front-and-center in the United States than they are right now. With Parkland and Santa Fe, there is an understandable amount of fear and apprehension. And that could soon start leading to more arrests for weapons violations. One recent...
How Should You Approach Counterfeit Goods Charges?
Production and transportation of counterfeit goods have become more common issues in the information age, and Dallas is shaping up to be a hotspot for such activities. In the last month, there have been three noteworthy stories break involving everything from...
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud: Where Should Your Legal Strategy Begin?
Conspiracy to commit fraud and the fraud itself are two different crimes. While both should be taken seriously, the presence of one can escalate the type of punishment that you might receive if found guilty. Take the recent case of Dr. Jorge Zamora-Quezada, who has...
Charged With Securities Fraud: Remember This One Truth
Securities fraud can take many forms from the questionable to the egregious. One of the latter types of cases happened in our own backyard. In 2016, a McKinney pastor was charged with bilking Texans out of more than $23 million. Many of them were elderly, and in a...
False Tax Returns: The Government’s One Major Disadvantage in Proving a Crime
Filing false tax returns is a serious offense that can put you on the wrong side of the IRS for some time to come. When you commit any form of tax evasion and get caught, you set yourself up for punishments of up to three years in prison (per charge) and/or a...
The 3 Questions Important to Every Healthcare Fraud Defense
Healthcare fraud is a crime that is becoming more common, and if you look at the industry, it's almost understandable. When you can't call a hospital and get a straight answer on how much a procedure costs, you've got an environment that lends itself to fraudulent...
How Escalating Behaviors Can Hurt Your Computer Crime Defense
Defending yourself from a computer crime charge can be tricky business. For starters, there are generally two different types of computer crimes, and their paths can coincide with one another. Or you could be charged for one thing and enter into computer crime...
The Worst Mistakes You Can Make Using Blockchain
The worst mistakes you can make with any new technology start with understanding. Following the crowd. Not knowing what you've gotten yourself into before it's too late. Just look at all the phony news stories that people share on social media without halfway vetting...
Why Your State Is Ideal for Blockchain Technology
Texas is a state ideal for blockchain technology. Going way back to our origins, we have treasured and utilized our independence in trying new things, making the most of them, and standing out from the crowd. Blockchain is yet another frontier the Lone Star state is...
Blockchain: When Is It Useful, and When Is It Not?
Blockchain has become the latest trend in technology, and with good reason. Not since the first rollout of the Internet has there been a development that promises to change life as we know it. But while there was a sense that everyone had to be on the Internet or else...
Here’s How You Can Get the Most Out of Blockchain Technology
Blockchain technology is starting to demystify for many industries that see usefulness beyond the questionable cryptocurrency market. Today major companies in freight, healthcare, logistics, and marketing are putting it to use and testing the benefits. If you've yet...
How You Can Use Blockchain and Not Get Burned
Blockchain technology has emerged from the darkness in the last few years. Until recently, it was used synonymously with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. With all the questionable practices that surround that market, it's understandable if you view the technology...
Blockchain Lawsuits: How Will Texas Handle Yours?
What do we mean by blockchain lawsuits? In simple terms, the underlying technology for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin likely will become a fixture in courtrooms and legal disputes in the years to come. A cryptocurrency called Ethereum has devised a way for parties on a...
What If You Hate Crypto: Is Blockchain Still Useful?
More and more people hate crypto and all the talk surrounding its popular poster-children (i.e., Bitcoin and Ethereum). They don't get why another form of "currency" is necessary -- even though it's actually not a currency without agreement of transactional parties --...
Do Bitcoin Transactions Need to Be Based in Texas to Be Legal?
Bitcoin transactions are gaining in popularity across the country, but especially in Texas. While the state does not recognize this virtual currency as legal tender, it does allow the use of it in exchange for goods and services provided. As a result, you're seeing...
How to Use Blockchain in Your Business
It's safe to say 2018 is the year of the blockchain with more and more major companies like Humana and UnitedHealth announcing their entrance into this form of digital ledger technology. Companies know transparency is what their consumers demand, and they also hope to...
This Is How Texas Governs Bitcoin in Business Transactions
While cryptocurrencies and blockchain are still in their infancies, Texas Bitcoin, or "virtual currency" regulations have been deemed "friendly" by crypto insiders. The Bitcoin Market Journal observes the Lone Star State "has issued memorandums indicating that no...
Drug Trafficking: Your 5 Best Defenses to Avoid Jail Time
The Texas Health and Safety Code provides guidance for dealing with drug trafficking infractions, and as is often the case, fallout depends largely on the amount of drugs involved and any connected crimes that occur as a result. To get a drug trafficking conviction,...
Gun Restrictions: How You Can Get Into Trouble
Gun restrictions in Texas are less stringent than in other parts of the U.S., but the Lone Star State does follow federal law, so it's not exactly the Wild West. While gun owners can breathe a sigh of relief when living or traveling through our region, they do have to...
Organized Crime Statistics: What Are the Most Common Crimes?
Organized crime invokes images of Don Vito Corleone from the Oscar-winning film The Godfather. That's because, for the better part of the 20th Century, society thought about the mafia as the most prevalent, and successful, criminal organization. But saving the term...
Weapon Sales: How to Know When You’ve Committed a Crime
Responsible weapon sales are critical in ensuring deadly weapons do not get into the hands of the wrong people. But while there are rules and regulations a licensed dealer must adhere to, there are very few criminal cases brought against those who follow, or attempt...
Is Money Laundering a White Collar Crime?
Thankfully, the only money laundering most of us have done in our lives is when we forget to empty out our pockets before doing the wash. Criminally speaking, many aren't even sure what the crime is, or they have a heck of a time explaining it. In simple terms, money...
Computer Hacking: What Happens If You’re Found Guilty?
Computer hacking and the film Catch Me If You Can are kindred spirits in a sense. If you've never seen the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks and directed by Steven Spielberg, then here's a quick summary. DiCaprio plays real-life con artist Frank Abagnale....
In Texas, What Happens If You Carry A Gun Without a License?
Gun laws can vary from state to state, so the simple act of figuring out whether you're breaking the law can be a confusing one. Texas has some of the more lenient laws, but that doesn't mean it's free from restrictions. To grasp what those restrictions are, let's...
Child Pornography: What’s the Best Legal Defense?
"Serious" doesn't even begin to describe the severity of child pornography in the eyes of the law. A single first-time conviction at the federal level could receive anywhere from 15-30 years in prison. Sentencing guidelines under Texas state law go even further. A...
What’s a Forged Prescription, and How’s It Sentenced?
Forged prescription practices are of growing concern in the U.S. One look at the opioid epidemic explains why. In 2017 alone, there were between 42,000 and 50,000 overdose deaths, depending on which set of numbers you believe. Legitimate. Illegitimate. People have...
Tax Evasion: When Will the IRS Send You to Jail?
Tax evasion is a scary term catapulted to the top of the national spotlight every March or April. It's understandable why you would be frightened of it. As Jerry Seinfeld once said, "They're the IRS, they can take anything they want!" While that's something of an...
Weapons Crimes in Federal Court
A person who buys and sells weapons (operable firearms) is subject to obtaining a license as a federal firearms dealer if he/she is engaged in the business of selling firearms. Title 18 U.S. Code §921 contains various definitions of engaging the business...
Viable Criminal Defense Strategies for Felony Bribery Charged Under FCPA
Dallas, Texas Criminal Defense Attorney John Teakell discusses viable criminal defense strategies available to those charged with felony bribery under the United State's Foreign and Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) was enacted in...
Unauthorized Access or Exceeding Authorization to a Computer
The Computer Fraud Abuse Act (CFAA) is codified as Title 18 U.S.C Section 1030(a), and it lists offenses for federally-prosecuted computer crimes, with the common charges being Unauthorized Access to a Computer and Exceeding Authorization to a Computer. The...
Immigration Crimes
The United States Code contains several federal statutes concerning criminal offenses of “aliens” or “illegal aliens.” The most common ones known to the public are illegal re-entry (after deportation), which is found at Title 8 U.S.C. §1326, and alien smuggling, or...
Conspiracy
A conspiracy is defined as an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act, with at least one conspirator attempting to commit an overt act that would further the object of conspiracy. The use of the conspiracy charge is much more common in federal...
When it is legal to carry a handgun in Texas?
In Texas it is not legal to carry a handgun outside of your own premise. Although the law was recently updated by the Texas Legislature, when it passed a bill in 2015 allowing concealed handgun permit holders to begin carrying handguns openly outside of your...
State Drug Possession Cases
Talking About the State Jail Felony & Drug Possession Cases Texas has strict illegal controlled substance and narcotics drug possession laws. Keep in mind; even just for conviction of possession of any unlawful drug, you may face probation, jail time, fines, and...
Internet Crimes
The Internet can no longer be considered to be a novelty. It is the crossroads of our fast-paced society for an increasingly large percentage of the population. Crimes can occur online just as they can on our city streets and in boardrooms of corporations. Many...
Tax Evasion Defense
Tax Evasion Defense An overwhelming tax debt could be hard to resolve, especially when you have accrued this debt over the years. Failing to do so could lead to serious legal consequences, at the state and federal levels. Sometimes tax evasion charges occur due to a...
Bank Fraud
Legal Guide A rule of thumb in bank fraud cases and any other type of white collar criminal case is that it is critically important to contact an attorney during the earliest stages. Selecting a knowledgeable, zealous white collar criminal defense lawyer may be the...
Bank Theft, Embezzlement
Legal Brief Bank Theft, EmbezzlementBANK THEFT AND EMBEZZLEMENT By John Teakell Attorney-at-Law Dallas, Texas Thefts and embezzlements from banks are often prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in federal court, although the dollar amounts sometimes are lower than...
Bribery/Federal Contract Fraud
Legal Guide Abuse of federal contract has become the focal point in national media. In fact the growing concerns about bribery, federal contract fraud and abuse have led to arrays of investigations of various government contracts in Dallas and all across United...
Computer Fraud
Internet crime, computer fraud and violations encompass a whole range of illegal activity, from distribution of child pornography to investment fraud. It makes sense to mention here, internet crime stands as the fastest growing segments of criminal prosecutions. Both...
Credit Card Debit Card Abuse
Credit and debit card Fraud Credit card and debit card abuse is common these days. Credit card fraud law thus typically establishes criminal penalties for deceptive, unlawful or unauthorized use of another person’s credit card account in an attempt to Steal money...
Deceptive Business Practices in Texas
Legal Guide Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) - Deceptive Business Practices Deceptive trade practice is an activity where business or individual engages in misleading or luring public into purchasing a product or service. In Texas, the Deceptive trade...
Embezzlement
Legal Guide EmbezzlementThe road to criminal charges of embezzlement can begin with suspicions of misappropriation of funds. An employer or management of a non-profit organization may accuse an accountant or treasurer, or someone with regular access to financial...
Forgery
Legal Guide Forgery A fundamental key to a successful defense in a forgery case is the representation by an experienced criminal defense lawyer. The earlier in the case that the attorney is on board, the more options there will be and the greater likelihood there is...
Insurance Fraud
Legal Guide Insurance FraudThe Law Office of John R. Teakell in Dallas, Texas, is a valuable resource for patients or health care providers who have been charged with insurance fraud in Texas. Typical scenarios of insurance fraud include the following: Presenting...
Mail Fraud
Mail Fraud Mail fraud is certainly one of more prevalent forms of criminal deception, accounting for almost one third of all consumer fraud. Cited as any illegal, fraudulent act utilizing the United States Postal Service, or affiliate mail carrier, mail fraud...
Money Laundering
Money Laundering People charged with money laundering in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or anywhere in the state of Texas are encouraged to seek the counsel of attorney John R. Teakell. Mr. Teakell has amassed a significant amount of experience, achieving favorable...
Mortage Fraud
Legal Guide Mortgage FraudMORTGAGE FRAUD CRIMES IN FEDERAL COURTI. Generally“Mortgage fraud” as it is generally called, is prosecuted in federal court as a felony offense that usually involves misrepresentations to a bank or other lender, or to a mortgage broker, real...
Passport Fraud
Legal Guide Passport Fraud Generally The term “passport fraud” is a phrase that is used to generally describe misrepresentations in applications for a passport or visa, as well as some misuse of the passport or visa. Violations of federal law for passport fraud and...
Prescription Fraud
Legal Brief Prescription Fraud Prescription Fraud Prosecutions By: John Teakell Attorney-at-Law Dallas, TX Charges in both State and Federal courts where a person fills a forged prescription, phony prescription, or chooses to change what they were prescribed. I....
Securities Fraud
PROSECUTION OF CRIMINAL SECURITIES FRAUD OFFENSES IN FEDERAL COURT By John TeakellAttorney-at-LawDallas, Texas I. Generally “Securities fraud” and other criminal offenses involving securities are prosecuted in federal court as felony offenses, and these offenses are...
Engaging in Organized Crime
Legal Guide Engaging in Organized Criminal ActivityEngaging in organized crime’ and criminal activity is a steep legal charge, which is generally utilized when a group works in sync to commit a crime. In lay language when criminal activity is conducted in a rather...
Extortion and Federal Threat Crimes
Legal Brief Extortion and Federal Threat CrimesTHREATENING COMMUNICATIONS, EXTORTION, BLACKMAIL AND OTHER THREAT CRIMES IN FEDERAL COURT By John Teakell Attorney-‐at-‐Law Dallas, Texas I. Generally Title 18 of the United State Code contains several federal crimes of...
Federal Trade Commission Violations
Legal Guide Federal Trade Commission ViolationsTexas Antitrust Law – Federal Trade Commission ViolationsBusiness owner will be able to avoid the potential legal and business disputes by becoming familiar with the federal and state antitrust laws. Comprised of 3...
Counterfeit Goods
FEDERAL PROSECUTION OF COUNTERFEIT GOODS/PRODUCTS By John TeakellLaw Office of John R. Teakell Dallas, TX I. INTRODUCTIONWhen a person hears the word “counterfeit,” he/she usually thinks of counterfeit “money” or counterfeit “currency” or counterfeit “bills.” Although...
Counterfeit Currency Charges
Prosecution of Counterfeit Money Possession and Passing Counterfeit Monies By John TeakellAttorney-at-LawDallas, Texas I. OVERVIEWProsecutions in federal district courts in the United States (U.S. District Courts) for violations of counterfeit currency are prosecuted...
Counterfeit Charges
Counterfeit Charges Counterfeit currency possession and/or trafficking charges are not the only types of counterfeiting charges which can be brought against a person. Since 1984, when the Trademark Counterfeiting Act was introduced, it has been illegal for a person to...
Weapons Charges
Federal Firearm & Weapons Charges Federal firearms laws provide severe penalties for improper firearms use or possession. For example, possession of firearms by convicted felons or drug users can provide punishments of up to ten years imprisonment. In fact, many...
Drug Trafficking Case Penalties
Drug Trafficking Penalties & Sentencing Guidelines For more indepth information, case examples, and statues, see John Teakell’s Drug Trafficking & Possession Case Brief and Steroid & HGH Drug Trafficking Case Brief. For a quick overview of cocaine, heroin,...
Drug Trafficking – Federal Cases
Drug Trafficking Federal CasesOVERVIEW OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PROSECUTIONS IN FEDERAL COURT By John Teakell, Attorney-at-Law Dallas, TX I. IntroductionTraditionally, cases prosecuted in federal court were either larger, complex drug trafficking cases, or white-collar...
Drug Possession
Drug PossessionThere is a fine legal line between drug possession charges and possession with intent to distribute, or PWID, (narcotics including heroin, cocaine, methampetamines and marijuana). These determining factors usually lie in: a) manner the drug is stored,...
Controlled Substances By Doctors
Prescription Fraud by Medical Professionals Drug trafficking conspiracy cases are commonly prosecuted in federal court, but cases of doctor’s prescriptions for pain medications are not the usual conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Often the pattern of drug...
Unauthorized Access
The Computer Fraud Abuse Act (CFAA) is codified as Title 18 U.S.C Section 1030(a), and it lists offenses for federally-prosecuted computer crimes, with the common charges being Unauthorized Access to a Computer and Exceeding Authorization to a Computer. The...
Transmitting a Malicious Code
TRANSMITTING MALICIOUS CODES AND HACKING COMPUTERS IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW By John Teakell Attorney-at-Law Dallas, Texas What is transmission of malicious code 0r hacking? The Computer Fraud Abuse Act (CFAA) is codified as Title 18 U.S.C Section 1030(a),...
Promotion of Child Images
Promotion of Child ImagesPromotion of Child Images is a punishable offense both by the state and the Federal law. As a matter of fact child pornography laws protect children from exploitation in visual materials depicting sexual conduct. Child pornography law thus...
Possession of Child Images
Possession of Child imagesInternet sex crimes have become more serious in this technology driven society. According to the Internet Watch Foundation a number of 1,536 ‘child sexual abuse’ domains on the Internet of which 58% were housed in the United States and the...
Online Solicitation
Online Solicitation Charges and Internet Sex CrimesIn most of the cases people think whatever they do in cyberspace stays there. However quite contrary to this popular belief technology has made tracking of downloading illegal material and other online sex crimes...
Conspiracy To Commit Fraud
Conspiracy To Commit FraudA Frequent Charge Used In Federal White‐Collar CasesJohn TeakellLaw Office Of John R. TeakellDALLAS, TX I. IntroductionA conspiracy is defined as an agreement between two or more persons to commit an illegal act, with at least one...
What To Do If You Are The Target Of A Criminal Investigation
Status of Person Investigated A “target” of a criminal investigation is a person against whom the prosecutor and law enforcement are working to obtain formal charges, that is, an Indictment. It is a term that is used in both federal investigations and state...
What Should I Do If I Am Arrested And Charged With Statutory Rape?
http://teakelllaw.com/videos/what-should-i-do-if-i-am-arrested-and-charged-with-statutory-rape/ If you’re charged, then I would do basically the same as if you were arrested and questioned. Rather than submit to an interview with a detective or an agent or some police...
What Should I Do If I Am Accused Of Statutory Rape?
http://teakelllaw.com/videos/what-should-i-do-if-i-am-accused-of-statutory-rape/ If you are accused of having sex with someone who is underage, or if you think you are being investigated for this crime, the first thing you need to do is to hire an attorney who will go...
What Counts as Evidence for Intent to Distribute Drugs in Texas
http://teakelllaw.com/videos/what-counts-as-evidence-for-intent-to-distribute-drugs-in-texas/ What Counts As Evidence For Intent To Distribute Drugs In Texas?Have you or has a loved one been charged with intent to distribute drugs? Watch our FREE video and find out...
What Are The Defenses To Statutory Rape?
http://teakelllaw.com/videos/what-are-the-defenses-to-statutory-rape/ Well, by definition, the Statutory Rape, or the sexual assault, person to consent is, again, by definition, consensual. There is no force, no intimidation or threats, no promises of anything to...
What Is Statutory Rape?
Statutory Rapes was a term that’s sort of from the past that still applies today. It’s usually referred to as sexual assault, just like rape would be referred to as sexual assault, but the statutory rape is having consensual sex with, usually a person who is underage...
I Was Suspected Of A White Collar Crime And Am Under Investigation. What Should I Do?
http://teakelllaw.com/videos/i-was-suspected-of-a-white-collar-crime-and-am-under-investigation-what-should-i-do/ Hire an AttorneyYour attorney will be able to go in, figure out what the focus of the investigation is, and find out the time frame on the Prosecutor’s...
I Was Arrested For Possession Of Drugs. What Happens Next?
http://teakelllaw.com/videos/i-was-arrested-for-possession-of-drugs-what-happens-next/ If you have or a loved one has been arrested for possession of drugs, watch our free video and find out what you need to know: If it is a bondable offense and you make the bond, I...
Copyright Infringement Trademark Simulation
The U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S. Code) sets forth copyright infringement, which is reproducing or distributing material that has been copyrighted without permission or the legal authority of the owner of the copyrighted material. Illegal downloading or uploading...
Prescription Fraud
“Prescription Fraud” as it is commonly known, is obtaining controlled substances (illegal drugs) in a fraudulent manner by the use of a doctor’s prescription. Prescription fraud cases can be prosecuted in state or federal court depending on the complexity of the...
Securities Fraud
“Securities fraud” and other criminal offenses involving securities are prosecuted in federal court as felony offenses, and these offenses are based upon allegations of fraud, sales of securities without a license, and omitting pertinent material in the sale of...
Identity Theft / Credit Card Fraud
Credit Card Fraud/Identity Theft In Texas the statutes prohibiting credit card abuse and identity theft crimes have been enacted at all levels of government. Credit card Fraud/identity theft is common these days. The law establishes criminal penalties for deceptive,...
Criminal Defense
State & Federal Criminal Defense John Teakell has over 20 years of successful criminal trial experience. As most attornies know, there is no replacement for over 20 years of in court room trial experience. When an attorney says they have experience, make...