Saturday, January 10, 2009

Update on Florida Lawyer Case


On November 17, 2008 we posted a blog about a prominent Florida criminal defense attorney who has been indicted by the federal government with laundering drug money. For the original post click here. On December 10, 2008 we posted another update on this case.

On December 22, 2008 the federal judge presiding over the case dismissed Count 1 of the indictment against this attorney. Count 1 was the Money Laundering Conspiracy Charge. This charge was the central charge against this attorney. The judge found that Congress specifically exempted actions necessary for a person to hire an attorney from the federal money laundering statute.

This ruling does not end this case. The judge kept all the other charges in place leaving the lawyer still exposed to a criminal conviction. However, local attorneys believe that this ruling is a major victory for the defense. This victory makes the government's case against the attorney much more difficult.

We will keep our readers updated on the status of this case because it has major implications on a citizen's right to hire an attorney.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense lawyers at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess they are just trying to make it difficult for someone like the defendant to get legal representation.

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san diego lawyer said...

Has there been a ruling yet? I'm curious how this one turned out.

dvd backup said...

Yet another example of injustice acts from the "justice" system.

James G. Dimeas said...

My understanding is that the Federal Government is appealing the judges decision. In the meantime, last month, the federal judge presiding over the case, dismissed the charges against one of the co-defendants for violation of his right to a Speedy Trial. We will keep our eye on this case and post updates to our readers.

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