Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLCJacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC2026-07-16T05:00:32Zhttps://www.reinerlawfirm.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1604832/2021/03/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[3 actions that could lead to wire fraud charges]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=475342024-11-19T14:55:13Z2024-11-19T14:55:13Zwire fraud refers to a fraud-related crime that uses telecommunication systems. People accused of using electronic communications, phones, text messages, social media or even fax systems to defraud others may end up facing wire fraud charges. The following are some of the most common examples of wire fraud.
Phishing schemes
Phishing is a form of email fraud that tries to gain access to people's private personal or financial information. Phishing might look like creating false Amazon receipts or sending people notices that their antivirus software has just renewed for $250. The goal is to get people to respond and confirm certain details about themselves. The party sending those emails can then misuse that information for personal gain by either conducting fraudulent transactions or selling private information to third parties.
Confidence schemes
Some people make a point of getting to know others and befriending them with the intent of defrauding them later. Social media and dating apps have made such schemes far more prevalent. People may have a false sense of intimacy and can build a relationship with a completely fictitious individual based on stolen photographs and a few messages sent back and forth over dating sites. Attempts to get people to send money after gaining their trust may fall into this category of wire fraud. While many people who use their resources in confidence schemes are too embarrassed to speak up, others involve the authorities and push for justice.
Pump-and-dump schemes
Those hoping to make big profits from an investment need others to find the same investment attractive. They may try to drum up enthusiasm for a business or stock online by creating fake accounts and manufacturing hype online. They may then sell their stock or other holdings for a massive profit when people respond to the hype generated online. The people who invest or buy in as a result of a pump-and-dump scheme often lose most or all of what they invested.
Any new business strategy that involves tricking others could eventually lead to criminal charges. Recognizing behavior that might constitute wire fraud can help people avoid mistakes that could lead to their prosecution. Those accused of fraud offenses may need help evaluating the state's case and developing a reasonable defense strategy given the circumstances that led to their arrest, and there’s no shame in that.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[3 financial consequences of paying a traffic ticket]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=475262024-08-19T14:37:18Z2024-08-19T14:37:18ZBy increasing insurance rates
Insurance providers look at a driver's history when issuing a new policy or renewing an existing one. Any recent traffic tickets can significantly increase the cost of my ability insurance coverage. Drivers who carry full coverage in Virginia face a premium increase of about 20% on average, which adds up to hundreds of extra dollars each year. People with multiple tickets on their record might face an even bigger increase in their costs. In some cases, they may have to look for a new policy because they now represent more risk than their insurance company accepts.
By endangering a driver's license
If someone has multiple serious traffic violations on their record in a short amount of time, they may face license suspension. It can be incredibly expensive to use alternative transportation for the duration of a suspension. Additionally, there can be expenses related to reinstating the license that can add up to hundreds of dollars depending on the situation. Even a first ticket warrants fighting the citation when a driver believes they didn't break the law because of the risk to their license.
By causing career challenges
Some people realize immediately that a ticket could endanger their career. Anyone who needs to maintain a commercial driver's license (CDL) can become ineligible after significant moving violations. Others who might drive occasionally for work may find that their employers are unwilling to accept the increase in business insurance costs related to their citation. If a driver's license suspension occurs due to repeat violations, the driver without a license could be at risk of losing their job because they cannot perform crucial job functions.
People who understand the hazards of simply paying a traffic ticket may understand why it makes financial sense to fight a citation. Working with a lawyer can help someone successfully defend against a ticket that might otherwise result in financial consequences well beyond an initial fine assessed.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Sharing prescribed medication is a crime in Virginia]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=475252024-05-15T01:18:50Z2024-05-15T01:18:50ZUnlicensed people cannot transfer drugs
Technically, a patient who pays for their medication at a pharmacy or obtains it through their insurance coverage is now the owner of that medication. However, the drug remains a controlled substance that is subject to numerous state regulations.
The patient is the only one lawfully able to possess and use that medication. If they do not need to complete their treatment regimen and have leftover medication remaining, they cannot legally transfer their medication to another party. An attempt to do so could lead to criminal prosecution.
Someone caught in the act of transferring their medication to another person could face criminal charges. They do not need to seek financial gain from the transfer for their actions to violate the law. A gift of prescribed medication to a neighbor or family member is as illegal as selling leftover prescription medication to a co-worker.
People can get caught while transferring medication. They could also face accountability if the person who receives their medication gets caught with it later. Particularly in cases where someone overdoses on prescribed medication or commits a crime while under the influence, the person who provided the medication could face criminal culpability.
Only licensed medical professionals, such as pharmacists, can dispense controlled substances to others. Those who attempt to circumvent that rule are at risk of Virginia drug charges. Understanding the limits that apply to the use of prescription medication can help people avoid or better respond to criminal charges.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Is my medical license at risk if I get a DUI?]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=475242024-02-12T19:29:58Z2024-02-12T19:29:58ZWhat should I do if I am stopped for drunk driving?
It helps to understand the basics of the law. Familiarize yourself with Virginia's driving under the influence (DUI) laws. Penalties can include fines, license suspension, and even jail time.
In addition to learning about potential criminal penalties, a conviction can also have an impact on your professional license. It is likely the state board will investigate based on these charges. Depending on the findings, the investigation could lead to disciplinary action.
Does the Virginia Board of Medicine really follow through? Aren’t we short on medical professionals?
The Virginia Department of Health Professions has a long history of penalizing physicians for criminal infractions. Depending on the severity of the allegations, the repercussions can include a financial penalty, suspension, or even revocation of one’s medical license. The board holds physicians to a high standard. As such, it is important to take the situation seriously and reach out to legal counsel to start building a defense and exploring your legal options.
A DUI charge in Virginia is a serious matter for a medical doctor. It requires immediate action, legal guidance, and an understanding of the potential impact on your medical license. With a proactive approach, you can navigate this challenging situation and work towards preserving your career and reputation.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[3 forms of corporate fraud that can lead to prosecution]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=475122023-11-21T12:03:40Z2023-11-21T12:03:40ZPayroll fraud
Many businesses engage in fraudulent conduct related to worker wages. Some companies manipulate employees into doing uncompensated work. Others intentionally alter timeclock records to diminish how much they pay specific workers. Corporate payroll fraud can result in lawsuits brought by frustrated workers and criminal charges pursued against those implicated in the situation.
Tax fraud
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers many deductions and credits for income taxes that apply to both individuals and organizations. Businesses may sometimes violate tax statutes by misrepresenting the company's finances, taking inappropriate deductions and otherwise underpaying tax obligations. Even the decision to misclassify employees as independent contractors could constitute a form of tax fraud that leads to the prosecution of the people involved.
Billing fraud
Some businesses will fraudulently bill consumers and other companies for services not rendered or goods never transferred. Others try to tack on charges and fees during the billing process as a way to get as much capital as possible from each account. Some go so far as to improperly bill government agencies, possibly through publicly-funded health insurance coverage. Railroad companies and healthcare providers sometimes bill the government inappropriately. Billing fraud allegations can lead to prosecution and massive financial losses.
Insider trading and investment fraud intended to trick people into bad investments are also very common. Oftentimes, individual employees will bear a significant amount of the burden in such cases.
Many cases of business-related fraud result in federal prosecution rather than state charges. Seeking legal guidance to better understand the nature of the offense and the penalties possible may help those implicated in corporate fraud choose a truly informed response after an arrest.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Federal authorities are actively prosecuting PPP fraud]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=474232023-08-21T17:58:04Z2023-08-21T17:58:04Z10% of the total funds distributed through the PPP were diverted due to fraud and theft. Given that federal authorities allocated $800 billion in relief funds, the total fraud cost the government, and therefore taxpayers, $80 billion. These estimates do not include fraud related to special unemployment benefits offered at the same time. There is now a massive Justice Department effort to find and prosecute PPP fraud as a result of these findings.
What does this mean for businesses?
Any business owner or executive who applied for or received PPP funds could be subject to scrutiny from federal investigators. In some cases, an appropriate use of the program might trigger prosecution because of the intense and heavy-handed approach to enforcement.
Organizations that may have had to let workers go after accepting PPP funds or that ended up dissolving may be at particularly high risk of prosecution. Additionally, any owners or executives who made large purchases in recent years are more likely to be subject to intense scrutiny. Early prosecutions have uncovered cases where individual fraudsters bought multiple vehicles with PPP funds, as well as others who purchased mansions and paid for upscale vacations.
With so much money on the table and so much attention being paid to the level of fraud that affected the PPP program, the chance of investigators assuming the worst is noteworthy. Maintaining adequate records of company operations and getting the right support early in the investigation process could make a major difference for those worried about prosecution due to the receipt of PPP funds.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Prescribing opioid medication can draw legal scrutiny for doctors]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=474032025-10-10T03:51:55Z2023-05-19T19:07:01ZOverprescribing has never drawn more scrutiny
Synthetic opioids like fentanyl have become a major menace on the unregulated drug market across the United States. Thousands of people fatally overdose each year, and countless more continue to purchase and use dangerous narcotic pain relievers without the oversight of a physician. Many of those people developed their addiction while under the care of a licensed physician, possibly after an accident or illness.
Lawmakers professionals have started to pay more attention to the role that individual medical practitioners play in the opioid crisis. There are now programs in place to track how many prescriptions a doctor writes and how much medication individual patients receive.
When there are signs that someone has started to violate those rules, drug charges are quite likely. In April 2023, the Justice Department announced charges against a Virginia physician for an alleged scheme involving prescribing opioids to an employee under a pseudonym.
The Justice Department claims that one employee received more than 50,000 oxycodone pills over the course of multiple years. There were also individual patients who received prescriptions for as many as 360 30-mg oxycodone tablets monthly. The charges against the people involved could result in 20 years in federal custody.
Narcotic painkiller prescribing habits can draw the attention of investigators and regulatory authorities. Even if a physician works with patients who have intractable pain issues, they need to be aware of how their prescribing practices could put their license at risk. Seeking legal guidance to learn more about cases that trigger federal charges may help those practicing medicine in Virginia better protect their careers.
]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Can you avoid a criminal record if you’re facing drug charges?]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=473982023-02-21T13:27:39Z2023-02-21T13:27:39ZA successful defense can keep the charge off of your record
Pleading guilty to an offense will mean that the record of that charge will tarnish the defendant's name indefinitely. However, successfully defending against allegations in criminal court will mean that no such criminal record exists.
While there may be information about the initial arrest and charges still publicly available in some cases, an arrest alone is not a justification to deny someone employment or educational opportunities. From challenging the evidence presented by the prosecutor to producing an airtight alibi, there are many needs of avoiding a conviction in criminal court.
The drug courts can help keep your record clean
The Virginia criminal justice system offers a few alternative courts to reduce recidivism and address criminal conduct in Virginia. The adult drug treatment courts are an option for non-violent drug offenders and those accused of a crime directly associated with substance abuse.
The drug courts are an alternative for those accused of criminal activity but struggling with a substance abuse disorder. Provided that the defendant successfully completes the drug court program, they can avoid a criminal conviction and all the penalties that come with it.
Drug court proceedings are a viable option for those who recognize that substance abuse disorder has affected their conduct or who do not believe they have the makings of a successful criminal defense strategy. While drug court proceedings often require 18 months or longer to complete, successful completion of the program protects the defendant from a criminal record.
Discussing the situation that led to someone's Virginia drug charges can help them determine the best means of avoiding a permanent criminal record.]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Don’t fall for a DUI myth]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=473972022-11-16T23:24:39Z2022-11-16T23:24:39Z4 common DUI misconceptions
Myths are spread all the time, that’s often what makes them so easy to believe. Yet, when put to the test, common misconceptions rarely hold up. The following are commonly held myths used to avoid DUI charges:
Coffee and cold water: The only thinking coffee and a splash of cold water can do is raise your senses, however, while it may seem like it negates any alcoholic effects, it’s only a temporary appearance and won’t help with a breath test. The effects of coffee, cold water and alcohol may even make certain actions like driving perform worse. There will still be alcohol in your body and causing you to fail a breath test.
Penny in your mouth: This is a very old trick thought to help people pass breath tests. In theory, the penny would affect the reading of a breath test. This myth is far from true and may only cause you to have a bad taste in your mouth.
Drive slow: You may be able to avoid the suspicion of the police by driving slow, however, you can still receive a DUI charge by other methods. First, driving slow doesn't mean you’re following the law and an illegal turn could cause suspicion of drunk driving. Or, if you’re the victim of an accident, police may find you were drunk driving, despite your best efforts.
Refuse a breath test: It’s commonly thought that people can refuse breath tests, however, this may be confused with field sobriety tests. People can refuse field sobriety tests without penalty, but the refusal of a breath test may only lead to severe criminal charges.
While your friend may have good intentions for you to get home, they may be unsuspectingly setting you up for a DUI. When dealing with a DUI charge, you may need to know your legal rights.
]]>On Behalf of Jacqueline M. Reiner, PLLC<![CDATA[Why it’s usually worth it to fight Virginia traffic tickets]]>https://www.reinerlawfirm.com/?p=473552022-08-22T05:59:00Z2022-08-19T19:01:16ZTraffic tickets affect your license
Each ticket that you receive is an indication that you have violated the law and that you are at increased risk of causing a crash compared to those who follow traffic laws carefully. Eventually, if you receive too many tickets, your driving habits could cost you your license.
If you stand accused of reckless driving, driving while under the influence, traveling at more than 20 miles per hour over the limit or driving on a suspended license, the state will add six points to your license at once. Lesser violations can lead to two or four points. Once you have 18 points added to your license in 12 months or 24 points added within 24 months, you will lose your license.
You can potentially reduce the number of demerit points by adding safe points. You can accrue one safe point for each year you have a license but do not have any citations. You can also obtain five safe points for attending a driver improvement clinic. Those safe points can help those with too many demerit points from prior citations regain their driving privileges.
Traffic court is always an option
Regardless of the circumstances leading to your citation, you will almost always have the legal right to go to court and to fight back. The cost and effort investment required to defend yourself may be significant, but it may be worthwhile when you compare those short-term investments with the long-term costs of losing your license. There's also the increase in your insurance premiums that will affect how much it costs you to drive after a traffic ticket.]]>