Tom Petersen, Author at Omaha Criminal Defense Lawyer | Petersen Criminal Defense

Should I Take the Plea Agreement Offered by the State?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, June 20, 2018

As a defendant in a criminal prosecution, you will need to make a number of important decisions over the course of your case. One of the most important of those decisions will come about if the prosecutor offers you a plea agreement. At that point, you will need to decide if you want to consider taking a plea agreement at all and, if so, if the agreement offered to you is acceptable. Of course, you should never accept a plea agreement without consulting with your own defense attorney; however, an Omaha defense attorney offers some guidance for those faced with

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Defending a Claim of Dealing

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Since the War on Drugs began several decades ago, states across the U.S. have systematically increased the penalties for violations of drug-related criminal offenses. Everyone knows that the potential penalties you face if convicted of dealing drugs are dramatically harsher than those associated with a conviction for possession of drugs. How does a Nebraska drug crime attorney defend a claim of dealing? Is it possible to get an accusation of dealing reduced to possession? What Does Nebraska Law Say? Nebraska Revised Statute Section 28-416 governs criminal offenses related to dealing drugs. Specifically, Section 28-416(1) reads as follows: Except as authorized

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Should I Take My Case to Trial?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, June 5, 2018

If you were recently arrested and charged with committing a crime, you will have a make a number of important questions in the weeks and months ahead. Many of those decisions will potentially have a direct impact on the rest o your life. Among the most important decisions you will need to make at some point is whether or not to take your case to trial. It is certainly not a decision to be made lightly, nor is it a decision you should make without consulting an experienced Omaha criminal attorney. There are, however, some factors you may wish to

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Nebraska’s Stalking Laws — What You Need to Know

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, June 1, 2018

Few things are more frightening than feeling as though someone is following you or intentionally trying to scare you. We commonly use the term “stalking” to describe this type of behavior; however, the law historically had a difficult time deciding what behavior to make illegal and how to define actions we attribute to “stalking.” Whether you believe you are a victim of stalking, or someone has accused you of stalking, a Nebraska criminal defense attorney helps you understand the state’s stalking laws. How Does the Law Define Stalking? Nebraska Revised Statute Section 28-311.03 governs the criminal offense of stalking, defining

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Can’t My Spouse Just Drop the Charges?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Domestic Violence in Nebraska on Thursday, May 24, 2018

There was a time when domestic violence was effectively ignored both society and the law. Both considered it a private affair, meaning people rarely intervened and the law infrequently pursued charges against abusers. Today, however, domestic violence is taken very seriously and abusers are punished harshly by the courts. In fact, sometimes it seems as though the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction, causing law enforcement officers to make an arrest when it really was just a heated argument, not abuse. If you were arrested and charged with domestic assault you may be wondering if your spouse

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Questions to Ask Your Omaha Criminal Defense Lawyer

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Were you recently arrested and charged with a criminal offense? If so, and this is the first time you have been charged with committing a crime, you are undoubtedly worried about the outcome of your case. You are also likely confused and a bit intimidated as you try to navigate the criminal justice system for the first time. The most important step you can take toward protecting your rights and reaching a positive outcome in your case is to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney. Having never consulted an Omaha criminal defense lawyer before though, you may

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Nebraska Penalties for Dealing

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Since the War on Drugs began almost 50 years ago in the United States, most states have increased the severity of their drug related criminal offenses as well as ramped up the potential punishments for violating any of those laws. If you were recently arrested and charged with violating Nebraska’s “dealing” laws, you likely face the possibility of being sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment if you are ultimately convicted of that offense. Only an experienced Nebraska drug defense lawyer can discuss the specific facts and circumstances of your case with you; however, you may find it helpful to

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Assaulting a Law Enforcement Officer in Nebraska

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Violent Crimes on Tuesday, May 8, 2018

You undoubtedly already know that the criminal offense of assault carried with it some serious penalties if convicted. This is, in part, because assault is considered a violent crime. If the victim of the assault was a law enforcement officer, as you can imagine, you are facing even harsher penalties for a conviction as an Omaha assault lawyer from Petersen Criminal Defense Law explains. Assault of an Officer in the First Degree Nebraska Revised Statute 28-929 governs assault on an officer in the first degree, reading as follows: (1) A person commits the offense of assault on an officer, an

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Does Going through Rehab Help My Case?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Tuesday, May 1, 2018

Contrary to what many people believe, not everyone who commits a criminal offense is a criminal. Some are average people who had a momentary lapse in judgment, some are people who suffer from mental illness, and still others are struggling with addiction. If you are facing criminal charges that stem from an underlying drug addiction, you may be wondering if completing a rehabilitation program will help your case. A Nebraska drug defense lawyer discusses the impact rehab may have on your case, and your life. Drug Addiction and Crime No one involved in the criminal justice system, nor in the

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Can the Police Lie to a Suspect?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Tuesday, April 24, 2018

When a police officer questions a suspect, the ultimate goal is to get the suspect to confess to committing the crime. A seasoned detective typically has a fairly large bag of tricks he/she can use when trying to elicit a confession, including deception. Yep, the police are generally allowed to trick you, or lie to you, when trying to get you to confess. Moreover, the fact that the police lied to you doesn’t render that confession involuntary absent additional facts and circumstances. An Omaha criminal defense attorney offers some insight into police deception and how it might impact your defense.

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