Criminal Defense Law Blog

Fox News Quotes Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Stahl on Withdrawing Guilty Pleas

In Fox News coverage of the one-year anniversary of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, In Kaitlyn Schallhorn's May 17, 2018 coverage of Michael Flynn's legal options, Ms.Schallhorn quotes Mr. Stahl: Robert Stahl, a white-collar criminal defense attorney in New York and New Jersey, told Fox News withdrawing a guilty plea “is extremely rare and very difficult.”

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-19T18:58:42-04:00May 29th, 2018|Categories: Criminal Defense Law Firm News|0 Comments

Use of Informants or “Spies” in Criminal Investigations

Headlines and tweets coming out of Washington have put a spotlight on law enforcement’s use of informants, now known in federal parlance as “confidential human sources” or CHS. Putting aside the political theater and self-serving spin of the “criminal deep state” and the planting of spies, how are informants used in every day investigations?

Using human sources (informants) to collect information is common throughout municipal, state and federal investigations. Informants are either individuals who have been charged with their own crimes and have agreed to cooperate in the hopes for reduced charges or sentence based upon that cooperation, or are people who are paid for their information and access to criminal groups or activities. The use of confidential human sources is expressly encouraged by the guidelines that cover the FBI’s behavior.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-12T12:02:52-04:00May 25th, 2018|Categories: Criminal Investigation, Search Warrants|Tags: Criminal Investigation|0 Comments

What To Do If Your Teenager is Stopped With Drugs in the Car?

While most people consider themselves unlikely to become the subject of a police investigation, there is one common situation in which ordinary citizens fall under police scrutiny: the traffic stop. Police officers are trained to search for evidence of illegal activity every time they pull over a driver, whatever the reason for the stop. While the consequences for speeding, failure to maintain lane, careless driving or Driving Under the Influence (DUI) can be bad enough – carrying the possibility of loss of driving privileges, assessment of motor vehicle points and higher insurance rates – things become far more serious if the police search for and find illegal drugs in a car. Teenagers and young adults – who are presumed by police to be more likely to be in possession of illegal recreational drugs – are often the targets of such searches late at night, while driving to and from wherever it is that teenagers actually disappear to when they leave the house to “hang out with friends.”

By Andrew Olesnycky, Esq.|2024-08-12T12:09:01-04:00May 15th, 2018|Categories: Criminal Investigation, Drug Crimes/Trafficking|Tags: Criminal Investigation|0 Comments

Why Defendants Cooperate or “Flip”

President Trump tweeted that Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and “fixer”, won’t flip on him. Putting aside for the moment why the President would say this if Cohen didn’t have incriminating evidence against him - because one could only “flip” on someone if they did - let’s examine why people charged with crimes cooperate with law enforcement.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-20T18:08:29-04:00April 24th, 2018|Categories: Criminal Investigation, Plea Bargaining|Tags: Criminal Investigation|0 Comments

Attorney-Client Privilege is Alive and Well – Despite Trump’s Tweets

In recent days we have witnessed the President and various pundits scream (or tweet) that the attorney-client privilege is dead or under serious attack. What they are referring to, of course, is the judicially authorized search of Michael Cohen’s home, office and hotel room by the FBI. Cohen is said to be one of the President’s long-time attorneys.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-16T11:28:40-04:00April 17th, 2018|Categories: Attorney-Client Privilege, Fifth Amendment|0 Comments

Healthcare Fraud Investigations – What Does the Government Look For?

Federal and state prosecutors are increasingly aggressive in their investigation and prosecution of healthcare fraud. Given the vast amounts of government or private insurance monies that can be exploited, the penalties have increased for healthcare professionals and others who engage in fraudulent activities. Sentences of 10 years or more, in addition to forfeitures, restitution and fines in the millions of dollars, are becoming commonplace.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-15T22:28:58-04:00April 4th, 2018|Categories: Healthcare Fraud|0 Comments

Fox News Quotes Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Stahl on Michael Flynn’s Legal Bills

Michael Flynn's legal fees continue to grow with special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation and Flynn's guilty plea to “willfully and knowingly" making "false, fictitious and fraudulent statements" to the FBI regarding conversations with Russia's ambassador. In his coverage of the legal fees of Michael Flynn and Andrew McCabe for Fox News, Alex Pappas sought out Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Stahl for background on the costs of criminal defense cases.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-19T19:05:04-04:00March 31st, 2018|Categories: Criminal Defense Law Firm News|0 Comments

When Should You Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney?

While most people would say that you should retain a criminal defense lawyer once you are charged with a state or federal crime, the answer is not that straightforward. In many instances, an individual or company will learn that there is an active, pending investigation into their activities. They might be contacted by law enforcement for an interview; they might be served with a grand jury subpoena for documents and/or testimony; they might learn that business associates and customers have been interviewed by law enforcement; they might receive a “target letter” from the U.S. Attorney’s Office; or they might be tipped off by their friendly banker that their financial records have been subpoenaed.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-20T09:50:41-04:00March 28th, 2018|Categories: Criminal Charges, Criminal Investigation|Tags: Criminal Investigation|0 Comments

Robert Stahl Defense for Tax Fraud Avoids Five-Year Prison Term and $250,000 Fine

A Newark political consultant faced tax evasion charges with a potential five-year prison term and $250,000 fine sought Robert Stahl for her criminal defense. With Robert Stahl defending her, the sentence in federal court was limited to three years of probation, eight months of which will be spent in home confinement, after pleading guilty.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-21T22:12:58-04:00March 15th, 2018|Categories: Significant Criminal Defense Cases|Tags: Tax Fraud|0 Comments

Newsday Quotes Criminal Defense Attorney Robert Stahl on Nassau County Mangano-Venditto Corruption Trial

Eastern District federal prosecutors are aggressively pursuing corruption on Long Island, as evidenced in the Manganos-Venditto political corruption trial. The trial is anticipated to last two months at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, New York. Among the 100 potential witnesses, the government's lead witness is Harendra Singh.

By Robert G. Stahl, Esq.|2024-08-12T16:05:43-04:00March 14th, 2018|Categories: Criminal Defense Law Firm News|0 Comments