Omaha Criminal Defense Law Blog

How Long Could I Go to Jail for If Convicted of Trafficking Drugs?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, January 18, 2019

When times are tough, it can be very tempting to make some extra money by transporting drugs across town or across the country. The people who try and recruit drivers always make it sound so easy – and virtually risk-free. It isn’t risk-free of course, but the money can be enticing. Before you find yourself contemplating just such an offer, make sure you know what you could be facing if you are caught. A Nebraska I-80 drug stop lawyer explains how long you could go to jail for if convicted of trafficking drugs. State vs. Federal Trafficking In the U.S.

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What Must the State Prove to Convict Me of Conspiracy?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, January 11, 2019

If you were asked to define the word “conspiracy” you would probably be fairly comfortable doing so. It is one of those words that is used frequently enough that it seems easy to explain. Most of us, after all, have a favorite conspiracy theory from history. Being able to explain your favorite conspiracy theory, however, isn’t the same as explaining what it means to be accused of conspiracy to commit a criminal offense. The Omaha criminal lawyers discuss what the prosecution must prove to convict you of conspiracy in Nebraska. Nebraska Conspiracy Law In the United States, our system of

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What Is Constructive Possession?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Thursday, January 3, 2019

Imagine landing in jail, charged with possession of a controlled substance or some other contraband, having never even touched the contraband. Imagine further that you are not the only person charged with possession of that same contraband. If you are like the average person you are likely wondering how that is possible. How can more than one person be charged with possession of the same item at the same time? Moreover, how can anyone be charged with possession of something they never even touched? The answer lies in the legal concept known as “constructive possession” as explained by a Nebraska

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5 Situations When You May Not Realize You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, December 28, 2018

The average person does not need the services of a criminal defense attorney on a regular basis. Moreover, the average person doesn’t really know that much about the criminal justice system. In fact, it is not uncommon for people to not realize that they need a criminal defense attorney in a situation that really calls for legal representation. Not recognizing that you need a criminal defense attorney can – and often does – lead to rights being violated. In an effort to prevent that from happening to you, an Omaha criminal defense attorney discusses five situations when you may not

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Understanding a No Contact Order

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, December 21, 2018

For the average person, being arrested and charged with a crime for the first time is a fairly frightening event. Along with worrying about the ultimate outcome of your case, you must also try to navigate the criminal justice system, something that can be extremely challenging for the uninitiated. Hiring an experienced Nebraska criminal defense attorney to represent you and protect your rights is the most important step you can take and should be your initial focus. Learning some of the most important dos and don’ts of being a defendant is also a good idea. For example, do you know

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Asserting Your Right to Remain Silent

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Almost everyone has heard of the “right to remain silent.” Every law enforcement drama on television has shown a police officer informing a suspect of his right to remain silent at least once. Given that the public is, for the most part, aware of the existence of the right to remain silent, you might assume it is asserted and relied on regularly by people who come into contact with law enforcement officers. You would be incorrect. Despite how familiar people are with the concept of the right to remain silent, it is frequently not relied on when it should be.

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How to Prepare for Your Consultation with a Defense Lawyer

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, November 15, 2018

If you have no previous experience with the criminal justice system, finding yourself under arrest and accused of committing a crime is a fairly frightening place to be. The most important step you can take when in that position is to make an appointment for a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Even that, however, can be an intimidating prospect if you have never before needed the services of a criminal defense lawyer. To help put you at ease, the criminal defense lawyers at Petersen Law Office discuss how to prepare for your consultation with a defense attorney. Preparing

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Miranda Rights — When Must They Be Given and What Happens If They Weren’t

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Thursday, November 8, 2018

Of all the legal terms and phrases that have made their way into everyday vernacular, “Miranda” is undoubtedly one of the most well-known. Even the most law-abiding citizens have some idea what your “Miranda rights” refer to given how often the term is used in the news and on television shows. Despite how familiar the term is, however, there are some important misconceptions relating to what rights are included in your Miranda rights, when those rights apply, and what happens if you are not informed of those rights by a law enforcement officer. The Omaha criminal defense attorneys at Petersen

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What Is Identity Theft?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Theft Crimes on Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Until very recently, it was relatively easy to abandon your true identity and become someone else. Moreover, even “stealing” someone else’s identity rarely resulted in harm to the victim of the theft because nothing was connected. With the advent of the internet and the computer age, however, that all began to change. Today, it is exponentially harder to protect against identity theft now that all our vital information can be accessed by the click of a button. In an effort to discourage would-be criminals, both the federal and state governments are continually increasing the penalties for computer-related crimes, including identity

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What Is the Punishment for Hacking in Nebraska?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Over the last two decades, the United States – and much of the rest of the world – has become dependent on computers in all facets of daily life. The internet has become our information highway. The ubiquitous nature of computers has certainly enriched our lives; however, it has also led to a whole new type of criminal. “Computer crimes” is the fastest growing category of crimes in the U.S. Consequently, the laws are changing so fast that even the perpetrators may not know that what they are doing is illegal. An Omaha internet crime attorney at Petersen Law Office

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