Not all criminal cases have a victim; however, in those that do, the alleged victim plays a critical role in the case. Whether the individual was allegedly the victim of a robbery, a domestic assault or any other type of crime, the importance of the victim’s cooperation is essentially the same. So, what happens if the victim recants? The Omaha criminal attorneys at Petersen Law Office explain what typically happens when a victim recants or refuses to cooperate. The Importance of a Victim There are several different ways in which criminal offenses can be categorized. One way is to divide

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What is a No Contact Order in Nebraska? 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

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Were you recently arrested and charged with assault – or with an even more serious crime? If so, and you were only defending yourself, you may be able to claim self-defense as your defense strategy. It is not, however, as simple as just saying “He started it!” As an Omaha criminal defense attorney at Petersen Law Office explains, you must claim self-defense as your official defense and then you must prove that the facts and circumstances justify a claim of self-defense Affirmative Defenses If you plan to claim self-defense, you need to understand the basic premise behind the concept of

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Understanding Elder Abuse in Nebraska As the population of older adults continues to increase throughout the United States, the issues that matter to them are beginning to take center stage as well. Sadly, one of those issues is elder abuse. Whether you are a senior yourself or you are the loved one of someone who is a senior, it is imperative that you understand the laws relating to elder abuse. Toward that end, a Nebraska criminal defense attorney at Petersen Criminal Defense Law explains the elder abuse laws in Nebraska. What Is “Elder Abuse?” You likely have a fairly good

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You may very well make it through your entire life without having a serious encounter with the police. If, however, you do find yourself the subject of police questioning, you need to know what you should, and shouldn’t do to protect yourself. With that in mind, a Nebraska criminal defense attorney at Petersen Law Office discusses five things you should remember during an encounter with the police. Innocence is not always relevant. One of the first things many people say when discussing how to handle an encounter with the police is “I haven’t done anything so it shouldn’t matter how

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Most people worry about the possibility of being sentenced to a term of imprisonment when they are facing criminal charges – and with good reason. The threat of jail or prison time is certainly one possible sentencing option if you are convicted of a criminal offense. There are, however, other sentencing terms that may be ordered in lieu of, or in addition to, a term of imprisonment. Restitution, for example, may be ordered as part of a sentence. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, an Omaha criminal defense lawyer from Petersen Law Office explains restitution. Understanding Restitution Restitution

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Interstate 80, which runs from east to west across the United States, has long been a well-traveled route for illegal drugs making their way up from Central and South America. Consequently, it is not unusual for residents of other states to be stopped and arrested for drug-related offenses in Nebraska. If you were arrested in Nebraska, made bond, and then failed to return for a court appearance, you likely have an outstanding warrant for your arrest. If so, you are probably worried about the likelihood that Nebraska will extradite you back to stand trial. An I-80 drug stop lawyer at

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If you are currently the defendant in a criminal prosecution it is highly likely that the prosecuting attorney will offer you a plea agreement at some point during your case. You should always discuss the details of a plea agreement offered to you with your attorney before deciding to accept the offer. In general though, an Omaha criminal defense attorney at Petersen Law Office explains what you need to know before entering into a guilty plea agreement. The Criminal Prosecution Process After your arrest, you will usually have a bond amount set that allows you to be released while your

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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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