Money laundering is an illegal process undertaken to hide financial assets that may have been illegally obtained. The United States government states that it involves “disguising financial assets to try to hide the source. By doing this “the criminal transforms the...
Year: 2023
When does an Idaho theft offense become a felony?
Theft offenses occur when one party improperly assumes possession of assets that belong to another person or a business. Theft crimes could involve shoplifting at a store. Both burglary and robbery are also common forms of theft. Those accused of taking the property...
3 things to know about probation
There are many options for sentencing in a criminal case. Probation is part of the sentence for some people pleading or found guilty. This is an alternative to incarceration, so courts sometimes default to this for non-violent crimes. Being placed on supervised...
Will I keep my dog in a divorce?
Idaho is a community property state. This means spouses have equal rights over community assets and debts, which are often distributed in a 50-50 split in a divorce. Community property is typically an asset acquired during the bounds of a marriage. After much...
Can the police take your assets for drug crimes in Idaho?
Loss of assets or property is a little-known risk for those involved in high-stakes drug crime investigations and trials. Through asset forfeiture, the government can seize virtually any property believed to have been used in or derived from criminal activity. In...
Do couples ever keep their home through a divorce?
In many cases, couples who get divorced will sell their house. Their reasoning is that they have to divide their assets. Selling the house is the easiest way to do it because they just split up the money that they earned. But are there situations in which a couple...
Understanding self-defense in Idaho criminal cases
The state of Idaho recognizes the right of an individual to protect themselves when facing imminent harm. However, there are situations where self-defense is not a viable defense strategy. Learn more about when self-defense can be justified in the state here. ...
Understanding the differences between conspiracy and solicitation
People often confuse the offenses of conspiracy and solicitation and think they refer to the same thing. Both are considered “inchoate” crimes (crimes of planning, essentially). There are, however, important distinctions under both federal and state law. Let’s take a...
What you should understand about sobriety tests
The police have the right to pull over vehicles they believe are operated by people who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. One way the police can determine if a driver is drunk is by performing sobriety tests. There are two variations of sobriety tests...
When is it wise to accept a plea bargain?
A plea bargain is a negotiation in which the defendant consents to plead guilty or not contest a charge in exchange for leniency or certain concessions. It allows both the defendant and the prosecutor to avoid the uncertainties and costs of a full trial. Contemplating...