Author name: Keith T. Whiddon, Attorney at Law, LLC

What Is Considered a White Collar Crime in Louisiana? White collar crimes are often referred to as corporate crimes because they involve people who are publicly deemed respectable, often with strong societal status. The crimes tend to center around things such as embezzlement, money laundering, extortion or bribery, identity theft, internet crimes, or fraud (including […]

Prosecuting Minors: A Complicated Legal System Being charged with a crime is never a positive event. Adults facing criminal accusations are often faced with the prospect of incarceration. However, this is also true for youngsters. Minors who are accused of a crime face harsh repercussions, but it’s within a different system. So, how are juvenile

Louisiana’s Three Strikes Law and Its Impact on Repeat Offenders Historical Context Three strikes laws became popular during the 1990s when the United States was experiencing a surge in crime. Louisiana, mirroring a national trend, adopted this policy to crack down on repeat offenders. The intent was to impose harsher sentences to deter criminals from

What Are Your Miranda Rights? Rooted in the Fifth Amendment, Miranda rights are meant to protect you as a United States citizen. Many of us are familiar with the phrase, ‘you have the right to remain silent,’ and some of what comes after. However, few have taken the time to fully comprehend what Miranda rights

What Are Louisiana’s DUI Laws? Louisiana has a strong commitment to road safety and the prevention of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents, so the state’s DUI laws are fairly strict and stringent. Under Louisiana law, a motorist is considered to be driving while intoxicated if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08% or higher. For drivers

How is Self-Defense Defined in Louisiana Law? The Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 14, § 18 covers when conduct that would otherwise be categorized as criminal is considered justified. Regarding self-defense, the person committing the criminal offense would have to prove that they were acting to protect themselves, a loved one, or property legally in their

What Qualifies as Newly Discovered Evidence in a Criminal Case? The Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 926.2, describes what qualifies as newly discovered evidence. This applies to an individual already convicted of a criminal offense but who now claims factual innocence. This applies even if the convicted individual previously pled guilty or nolo contendere

What Is Considered a DUI in Louisiana? Different states use different terms for a DUI (Driving under the influence). In Louisiana, it is officially called DWI (Driving while intoxicated), but it means much the same thing, and the terms DUI and DWI are both used in regular speech. One key difference in Louisiana compared to

What Is a Plea Bargain? The term “plea bargain” describes an arrangement usually negotiated between a prosecutor and the defendant’s legal counsel. The defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest to a lesser charge in exchange for a compromise from the prosecution. Prosecution concessions could be the agreement to drop other charges or a