Most Michigan residents hire a professional to complete their tax returns, but what should they do if their tax preparer makes a mistake that costs them money? The latest tax preparation software is designed to identify errors and ensure that taxpayers claim all of...
Grand Rapids Criminal Defense Law Blog
Does insider trading have to involve selling stock?
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly penalizes Michigan investors who influence market prices based on insider information that isn’t available to the public. While buying and selling stocks can create shifts in the market that give other...
Guarding against social security fraud
Financial crimes don't just hit a handful of people. Criminal acts that involve unlawfully collecting someone else's benefits impact all Michigan residents. They create tax gaps that impact services and government programs, and such fraud makes it more difficult for...
Understanding racketeering charges and its penalties
The crime of racketeering violates both federal and Michigan state laws. While the federal government originally created the term as a way to address illegal organized violent crime, racketeering now includes ongoing white-collar crimes as well. Defining racketeering...
A new SCOTUS ruling changes drug distribution landscape
Michigan residents, especially healthcare professionals, should take note of a recent US Supreme Court ruling. In Ruan v. United States and Kahn v. United States, the court made a ruling setting a new standard for what the DEA must prove in order to convict healthcare...
Types of white-collar crimes
Not all activity defined as criminal under Michigan law involves violence. Indeed, there is a large category known as white-collar crimes that are not violent in nature. The term is not a legal one, but it typically refers to crimes committed by people in the...
Federal drug trafficking laws and penalties for Michigan offenders
If the law enforcement team finds someone with a specified amount of any illegal drug in Michigan, they can face a drug trafficking charge, even if they didn't purchase, sell or transport those drugs. In addition, the federal government might take over the case in...
Understanding the difference between tax avoidance and evasion
Tax avoidance and evasion are common terms, but they’re often confused. There is a key difference between these terms. One means finding ways to avoid paying taxes where someone doesn’t need to. The other is a white collar crime that carries heavy consequences in the...
What are the drug classifications in Michigan?
Drug classifications influence what your maximum sentence may be. Michigan has five classifications with Schedule I as the most serious and Schedule V as the least serious. Schedule I Drugs that are highly addictive and don't have an accepted medical use are Schedule...
Health Insurance Fraud in Michigan
In Michigan, health insurance fraud is a felony offense punishable by up to four years in prison and $50,0000 in fines. Health insurance fraud involves the policyholder, practitioner or another party providing misleading, false or fraudulent information to obtain...