Criminal discovery determines what evidence your attorney can access before trial, directly impacting your ability to mount an effective defense. Louisiana’s discovery rules govern when and how prosecutors must share evidence with defense attorneys, creating a complex legal framework that significantly affects case outcomes. Understanding what evidence you’re entitled to see—and what remains hidden—is crucial…
The question of whether someone can face armed robbery charges when using a fake weapon is more complex than many people realize. In Louisiana, the law doesn’t always distinguish between authentic and replica weapons when it comes to robbery charges. Even if you brandished a toy gun, a BB gun, or simply made someone believe…
When facing homicide charges in Louisiana, understanding your right to self-defense can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal. Louisiana’s Stand Your Ground law provides robust protections for individuals who use deadly force to defend themselves. Still, the application of these laws in homicide cases requires careful legal analysis and strong representation. At John D….
Getting pulled over during a traffic stop is stressful enough, but discovering law enforcement suspects drug activity can quickly escalate the situation. Many people don’t realize that carrying large amounts of cash can trigger additional scrutiny during these stops. Officers may view significant cash as evidence of drug trafficking, even when you have legitimate reasons…
Healthcare fraud allegations can devastate your medical practice, professional reputation, and personal freedom in ways that extend far beyond the courtroom. These federal charges often involve intricate billing practices and regulatory compliance issues that can trap even well-intentioned healthcare providers. When investigators target your practice, the stakes couldn’t be higher. At John D. & Eric…
Witness misidentification represents one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in criminal cases, with studies showing that faulty eyewitness testimony contributes to approximately 70% of convictions later overturned by DNA evidence. The human memory’s fallibility becomes particularly problematic in criminal proceedings where a witness’s identification can mean the difference between freedom and decades in…
The presence or absence of a weapon transforms robbery charges from serious felonies into potentially life-altering criminal allegations in Louisiana. While both armed and simple robbery involve taking property through force or intimidation, the legal distinctions between these offenses create vastly different penalty structures that can determine whether defendants face years or decades behind bars….
Felony charges are the most severe criminal charges possible. Depending on the specific offense, felony charges may lead to a lifetime of imprisonment or even capital punishment if one is convicted. If you face felony charges, you likely feel a bit lost about what to do next. It wouldn’t be surprising if you’re feeling a…
Education is the gateway to opportunity. Unfortunately, not everyone in the United States has keys to that gateway. In Louisiana, one out of every eighty-six adults is behind bars. The state is often dubbed “the world’s prison capital” as it holds more prisoners than anywhere else in the world. With some of the toughest sentencing…
Bond revocation transforms what should be a period of freedom into an immediate return to jail, often catching defendants completely off guard when they believed they were following all the rules. One seemingly minor misstep can instantly erase the relief of posting bond and land you back behind bars until your trial date, sometimes months…