Five years later, it appears as if the overall use of marijuana is continuing to climb. The reason? Smoking marijuana has not only become more socially acceptable but also legal in many states. To illustrate, both Washington and Colorado have gone so far as to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use, while 19 states and the District of Colombia currently permit the use/possession of medical marijuana.
Interestingly, a recently completed analysis by researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that while medical marijuana does indeed have some benefits for adult patients (increased appetite, pain reduction, etc.), it should not be used by teen patients seeking to manage chronic pain.
]]> The researchers -- whose work will be published in next month's issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings -- determined that while medical marijuana use by teen patients had some short-term benefits, they are easily outweighed by long-term consequences, including slowed reaction times, concentration issues, lower IQs, motivation problems and excessive fatigue."The consequences may be very, very severe, particularly for adolescents who may get rid of their pain -- or not -- at the expense of the rest of their life," wrote Dr. J. Michael Bostwick, a Mayo Clinic psychiatrist.
They also indicated that marijuana use by young people has been linked in other studies to even more serious conditions, such as addiction and psychosis.
Interestingly, the researchers presented some viable alternatives to medical marijuana for teen patients suffering from chronic pain. For example, they cited acupuncture, physical therapy and biofeedback as all having been effective in alleviating pain.
Remember, if you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any sort of felony or misdemeanor drug crime, be certain to contact an experienced legal professional to learn more about your rights and your options.
Source: CBS News, "Mayo Clinic: Teens with chronic pain should not use medical marijuana," Michelle Castillo, June 17, 2013
]]>To illustrate, consider a recent case in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, where a 53-year-old man was sentenced to 102 years in prison back in 1994 after being convicted on burglary and sex crime charges stemming from a 1991 incident.
The man, who maintained his innocence, reached out to the Innocence Project, a national organization "dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice."
]]> Criminal defense attorneys and law students with the Innocence Project went to work on the man's case and soon uncovered what they believed to be the improper destruction of physical evidence and other key documents (inventory reports, testing requests/results, chains of custody, etc.) by the Oshkosh Police Department.A new DNA test was eventually undertaken which definitively proved that the 53-year-old defendant was not a match to the DNA taken from the scene of the 1991 break-in. In fact, the DNA was found to match a now-deceased individual who was convicted of another sex crime.
Cases such as these demonstrate just how important it is to have a zealous advocate on your side whether you are under investigation, or have already been charged or convicted. Please visit our website to learn more about protecting your rights, your options and your freedom.
Source: The Pioneer Press, "Judge reverses Wisconsin man's rape conviction after 20 years," May 23, 2013
]]>According to reports, bars throughout the city are currently borrowing high-tech scanners from the Appleton Police Department to inspect the IDs of patrons. Here, the scanners alert bouncers as to the age of the ID holder and, more importantly, whether the ID is valid.
]]> While this seems innocent enough, the bars/nightclubs are returning the scanners to the police department without deleting the scanned information.The police, in turn, are running the lists from each establishment against a list of people on probation to determine whether they have potentially violated the terms of their supervision by entering a tavern. Any findings are then turned over to the parole/probation agents at the state Department of Corrections.
The Appleton Police Department -- which also uses the scanners to identify underage drinkers and nab those wanted on arrest warrants -- claims that any privacy concerns are overblown.
"We're not being Big Brother with this system. We're giving it to bars as an opportunity to make the bar atmosphere as good as possible," said one Appleton police officer. "We're not checking into anything else. We're focused on the probation and parole violators, warrants and underage drinkers."
However, legal experts counter that the use of the ID scanners in this manner may very well present some legitimate concerns surrounding the Fourth Amendment's prohibition against unreasonable searches and the Fifth Amendment's prohibition against self-incrimination.
"It's troubling because the bars are in effect acting as agents of the state, and if that's true, you have to have particularized, reasonable suspicion for someone to give up this information," said a representative with the Wisconsin chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. "I'd imagine most people don't understand where this data is going. The police can't go on a fishing expedition with this huge dragnet."
It is worth noting that police departments in several other Wisconsin cities -- Green Bay, Milwaukee, Wausau and Sheboygan -- are all actively considering using ID scanners in this manner.
What are your thoughts on bars and nightclubs cooperating with police in this manner?
Source: The Fond du Lac Reporter, "Has 'Big Brother' arrived? Police use ID scanner at bars to nab criminals, but civil liberties raise concerns," Nick Penzenstadler, June 1, 2013
]]>The simple answer is that in addition to the possibility of fines or incarceration, young people face the possibility of having a permanent criminal record, which in turn can limit both future educational opportunities and job prospects.
Interestingly, the Milwaukee Police Department recently launched a campaign in two north side neighborhoods that is designed to not only cut down on the number of robberies in the area, but also give young people in the area a chance to ensure a safe and promising future.
]]> The campaign in question, named the Robbery Reduction Initiative, is no different than any enforcement action undertaken by the MPD in that it is using increased patrols, mapping technology and crime analysts to target certain areas of Districts 3 and 5, and make the necessary arrests.However, it does differ in that it also provides a hotline for residents to report information on robberies anonymously and, more significantly, for parents to call to arrange counseling sessions for their troubled children who they feel might be heading down a path toward commission of a robbery.
"Frequently robbery suspects are teenagers or young adults that get talked into participating in crimes by friends and peers," said Captain Chad Wagner. "Once arrested, and frequently they are, these suspects usually become convicted felons for the rest of their lives."
The hope is that by reaching out to troubled teens, counselors can help them make the right life decisions that will keep them out of jail and out of the county coroner's office.
According to the MPD, at least two young men, ages 17 and 20, were recently killed in the course of struggles with their intended robbery victims.
"I'd like to encourage any parent concerned that their children are potentially involved with behavior that might lead to robberies to leave contact information on the hotline as well," said Wagner.
Here's hoping that the Robbery Reduction Initiative serves it purpose of making the neighborhoods safer and, more importantly, helping keep young people safe.
Stay tuned for more from our Waukesha County criminal defense blog …
Remember, if you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any type of crime, you have rights and these rights must be protected. Consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about your options during these difficult times.
Source: The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “Milwaukee police initiative aims to reduce robberies," Jessica Garza, May 26, 2013
]]>For example, star wide receiver Chad Johnson has been in the news the past two weeks for violating the terms of a plea arrangement he reached with prosecutors in Florida's Broward County last September regarding a misdemeanor domestic violence charge.
For those unfamiliar with the backstory, Johnson, 34, was arrested back on August 11 after his wife accused him of head butting her during an argument over alleged infidelity. He was cut by the Miami Dolphins, the franchise with which he was attempting to earn a roster spot, the very same day, while his wife, a reality television star, filed for divorce shortly thereafter.
]]> Johnson reached a plea arrangement with prosecutors the following month in which he agreed to plead no contest to the domestic violence charge, meaning he did not admit guilt but accepted punishment for the crime. In exchange for his no contest plea, he was sentenced to a year of probation, the completion of a domestic violence counseling program and restitution for his former wife's medical bills.However, Johnson was arrested earlier this week for allegedly violating the terms of his plea arrangement. Specifically, he is accused of failing to attend one of his counseling sessions and missing two previous check-ins with his probation officer.
He spent all of Monday in jail before finally posting bail.
Johnson is currently "richly unemployed" after spending a lackluster season with the New England Patriots. However, he enjoyed several stellar seasons prior to that with the Cincinnati Bengals, including six selections to the Pro Bowl. Most football fans know Johnson for his antics, however, including temporarily changing his last name to "Ochocinco" after his jersey number.
Cases like Johnson's demonstrate the confusion and difficulties that often arise in domestic violence cases. Remember, if you have been charged with domestic violence or are accused of violating the terms of a plea deal, consider contacting an experienced legal professional to learn more about your options.
Source: The Miami Herald, "Former Miami Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson spends Monday in Broward jail," Julie Brown, May 20, 2013; The Sun-Sentinel, "Ex-Miami Dolphins receiver Chad Johnson gets plea deal OK'd by judge," Juan Ortega, Sept. 21, 2012
]]>Specifically, the NTSB recommended that all 50 states lower the legal blood alcohol limit to .05, a drop of more than a third from the current legal limit of .08. The rationale of the board members was that a .05 limit would put the U.S. in line with the rest of the industrialized world (which takes a decidedly tougher stance toward driving under the influence), and greatly reduce the number of drunk driving fatalities, which currently average close to 10,000 a year.
"There are at least 10,000 reasons to tackle this issue," said board chair Deborah A. P. Hersman.
]]> Supporters of the proposed lower legal limit point to government statistics which show that drivers operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .05 are 38 percent more likely to get into an auto wreck, while drivers operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 are 169 percent more likely to get into an auto wreck.While blood alcohol concentration fluctuates widely according to a person's gender, weight, metabolism and other unique factors, it goes without saying that a .05 legal limit would alter virtually everyone's alcohol consumption patterns.
For instance, under the .08 legal limit, a 130-pound woman could likely consume three drinks in the span of 90 minutes and still be considered okay to drive. However, under a .08 standard she could likely consume only two drinks in the same timeframe and still be considered okay to drive.
What are your thoughts on the proposed drop in the legal limit?
Remember, a drunk driving conviction can have serious repercussions, including jail, fines and loss of driving privileges. As such, it's imperative to speak with an experienced and responsive legal professional if you have been arrested and charged with a DWI.
Source: The New York Times, "States urged to cut limit on alcohol for drivers," Matthew Wald, May 14, 2013
]]>Some of the more shocking findings of the Pentagon's survey included:
The Department of Defense's response to the report was swift, with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel ordering armed forces commanders to take immediate steps to address the crisis, including improving education programs and training, reducing the perceived stigma of reporting sexual assault, and creating safe environments.
]]> President Obama expressed support for Hagel's actions, underscoring the important role played by branch commanders in reducing sex crimes and urging victims not to fear repercussions for coming forward."We find out somebody's engaging in this stuff, they've got to be held accountable," he said. "Prosecuted, stripped out of their positions, court martialed, fired, dishonorably discharged. Period. It's not acceptable."
It is worth noting that Congress is currently considering legislation that would enable military lawyers, as opposed to commanding officers, to make the ultimate decision about whether to prosecute sex crime cases.
Lawmakers indicate that the legislation is an absolute necessity, as many military victims are reluctant to come forward out of concern that commanding officers will decline to proceed with any criminal charges and they will be left unfairly stigmatized.
For their part, military officers argue that amending the Uniform Code of Military Justice in this manner will serve to do nothing more than undermine their ability to maintain discipline among the ranks.
While the full impact of the Department of Defense report has yet to be seen, it can safely be assumed that it will result in significant changes at multiple levels of the four major branches of the military.
Stay tuned for further updates ...
If you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any type of sex crime, be certain to contact an experienced legal professional.
Source: The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, "Hagel orders changes to confront military sexual abuse," Gregg Zoroya and Tom Vanden, May 7, 2013
]]>According to experts, the problem of prescription drug abuse among teens can be traced to two distinct causes. First, commonly abused prescription drugs like Xanax, OxyContin or Ritalin are relatively easy to procure either through valid prescriptions or by theft from family members. Second, many teens labor under the misapprehension that since the drugs were originally prescribed by a licensed medical professional and created in a controlled setting that they are somehow safer to abuse.
Interestingly, a filmmaker here in Wisconsin recently created a film using local high school students as actors to raise awareness among teens about the very real and very serious consequences of prescription drug abuse.
]]> Entitled "Ten Forty Eight" -- a reference to the code used by police for a drug overdose -- the film tells the story of a group of teens who manage to secure prescription drugs via multiple channels and come together to take them during a party. It then proceeds to tell the story of what happens after the prescription drugs are consumed, covering everything from overdoses, drug arrests and even death.While you may question the need for such a film here in Wisconsin, consider the following shocking statistics from the Youth Behavior Risk Survey administered to high school students in 2011:
Filming on Ten Forty Eight recently wrapped in April and the film will likely be shown to students starting next school year.
Remember, if you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any sort of felony or misdemeanor drug crime, be certain to contact an experienced legal professional to learn more about your rights and your options.
Source: The Appleton Post-Crescent, "Film tackles prescription drug abuse in teenagers," Megan Nicolai, April 30, 2013
]]>In a 5-4 ruling, the court essentially ruled that absent exigent circumstances, police officers seeking to have a blood sample drawn from a drunk driving suspect who did not grant their consent must first secure a search warrant.
"When officers in drunk-driving investigations can reasonably obtain a warrant before having a blood sample drawn without significantly undermining the efficacy of the search, the Fourth Amendment mandates that they do so," wrote Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Not surprisingly, this decision has generated some consternation among law enforcement officials who remain somewhat uncertain as to the circumstances under which they are or aren't required to secure a search warrant, and the logistics of actually securing search warrants for DUI blood draws.
]]> The widespread belief among most people in the legal community is that the McNeely decision will likely result in a larger workload for police, prosecutors and judges as search warrants for blood draws will need to be signed, sealed and delivered in the middle of the night -- the timeframe in which the majority of DUI arrests occur.This may not be a terribly daunting proposition for authorities in larger urban areas like Madison or Milwaukee, which already have complex warrant systems in place. However, it could prove to be an issue for the Dairy State's more rural law enforcement agencies.
Regarding law enforcement's consternation concerning the circumstances under which they are or aren't required to secure a search warrant for a blood draw on a drunk driving suspect, the Wisconsin Department of Justice is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the McNeely decision and planning to issue guidance in the near future.
"Based on our review thus far, we believe the decision still allows warrantless blood draws, if the totality of the circumstances shows that there are exigent circumstances, and if those circumstances can be explained in a way that shows the normal dissipation of alcohol is not the only factor," said a department spokesperson.
It is worth noting that here in Wisconsin, those suspected drunk drivers who refuse to provide a blood sample will be issued both a refusal ticket and civil violation, and could lose their license for up to a year.
Remember, a drunk driving conviction can have serious repercussions, including jail, fines and loss of driving privileges. As such, it's imperative to speak with an experienced and responsive legal professional if you have been arrested and charged with a DWI.
Source: The Badger Herald, "Supreme Court decision could impact Wisconsin drunken driving enforcement," Madeleine Behr, April 18, 2013
]]>The reality for many inmates, however, is that they are often unable to secure a job upon release due to their relative lack of education and/or training. Unfortunately, this state of affairs often leads many of them to re-offend as they simply have no other way to earn a living.
Interestingly, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections is currently trying out a pilot program that is designed to end this vicious cycle by providing inmates with basic manufacturing training and math skills that will help them secure jobs upon release.
]]> "One of the biggest challenges when somebody comes back into the community from prison, is finding employment," said DOC Reentry Director Jule Cavanaugh. "Research shows that if a person is properly educated and obtains employment upon release, they're going to be more successful in the community and it's going to be a safer community."The pilot program consists of a six-week training program that enables participants to earn up to six college credits free of charge and which utilizes Lakeshore Technical College's mobile manufacturing lab.
Most recently, nine inmates at the Taycheedah Women's Correctional Institution completed the course in the mobile lab, and it is now heading to the Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution for another round of training.
"This is the first phase, but it'll be nice to maybe get into a job obviously because we have to pay the bills, but maybe to do schooling part-time, that's something I'm interested in," said one of the Taycheedah inmates who was left enthused by the experience.
It's believed that the program -- which is funded through state and federal funds, as well as grants from local businesses -- will help fill the skilled-labor gap that many state employers have been grappling with over the last several years.
While it's too early to tell, DOC officials are optimistic that program participants will enjoy considerable success in their future endeavors and, more importantly, stay out of prison.
Stay tuned for more from our Waukesha County criminal defense blog ...
Remember, if you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any type of crime, you have rights and these rights must be protected. Consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about your options during these difficult times.
Source:
Fox 11, "New inmate training program," Beth Jones, April 15, 2013
]]>Officer Jennifer Sebena was shot to death by her husband outside of a local firehouse on the evening of December 24 after prosecutors say he followed her for a span of three days.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, state officials submitted the necessary forms to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund so that Sebena's name could be inscribed on the group's national memorial wall in Washington, D.C., which currently lists the names of over 19,000 fallen officers.
State and police officials received a bit of a shock, however, when they were informed that Sebena's name would not be included on the memorial wall since her case didn't meet the necessary requirements. Specifically, the group indicated that it couldn't include her name on the wall because the prime suspect in her death was her husband, meaning it was an act of domestic violence.
]]> The decision understandably provoked significant outrage and drew a response from some of the ranking members of Wisconsin's political and law enforcement communities, including Governor Scott Walker, Senator Tammy Baldwin, Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen and Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn to name only a few."I do not believe that your organization intended, by its decision, to deprecate Officer Sebena's professional sacrifice. Nor do I believe you intended to convey the impression that crimes related to domestic violence weigh less heavily in the community, or in the eyes of professional law enforcement officers. However, as your decision now stands, it does just that," wrote Van Hollen.
The rejection also generated a movement online with over 16,000 people signing an online petition.
In recent developments, the fund's board of directors voted unanimously to add Sebena's name to the wall following a special meeting held last week. Reports indicate that the Wisconsin Professional Police Association provided the board with information on several other officers who died under similar circumstances and whose names are currently on the wall.
"We came up with a number of cases that were similar, practically identical, and it was clear the board was not aware of those cases from the comments the members made," said Jim Palmer, executive director of the WPPA. "It absolutely played a role [in the decision]."
Officer Sebena's name will be officially commemorated at a candlelight vigil held at the wall on May 13.
Stay tuned for more from our Waukesha County criminal defense blog ...
If you have been charged or are currently under investigation for domestic violence, be certain to contact an experienced legal professional to learn more about your options.
Sources:
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Slain Wauwatosa officer Jennifer Sebena to get name on memorial wall," Ashley Lutheran, April 3, 2013
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Outrage growing over lack of slain Wauwatosa officer's name on memorial," Ashley Lutheran, March 20, 2013
]]>While people love bingo here in Wisconsin, it appears they are even more serious about it in the state of Ohio, where a young man was recently charged with a crime for interfering in a serious round of the beloved matching game.
]]> According to reports, 18-year-old Austin W. and a group of several other young people entered a bingo hall in Covington, Ohio back on February 9. Shortly after his entry, Austin W. -- who was not playing -- yelled out "bingo," causing play to stop and delaying operations by several minutes.An off-duty police sergeant who was working a security detail at the bingo hall approached Austin W. to confront him about the action and indicated that the youth refused to apologize.
"He seemed to think he could say whatever he wanted because it was a public building. I tried to explain that that's not the case," said the sergeant. "Just because it's a public building doesn't give you the right to run into a theater and yell 'fire.' You can't go into a ballpark and yell 'out,' because people could stop the game."
This refusal to apologize proved costly, as the sergeant issued Austin W. a citation for second-degree disorderly conduct rather than just a warning. In fact, the citation noted that his actions "caused alarm to patrons," the majority of whom were elderly women who were not exactly pleased with the prank.
Austin W. appeared before a district court judge on the criminal charge last month, facing a maximum sentence of 90 days in jail and a $250 fine. However, the judge sentenced Austin W. to a rather lenient punishment given the fact that he had no prior criminal record and showed remorse for his actions.
Here, the punishment was not saying the word "bingo" for six months.
"He was obviously a good kid who hadn't been in trouble before," said the judge. "With all the other things that happen in the court system and the families you're dealing with, you've got to keep a sense of humor."
It should be noted that if Austin W. doesn't run afoul of the law over the next six months, the charges will be dismissed.
Stay tuned for more from our Waukesha County criminal defense blog ...
Remember, if you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any type of crime, you have rights and these rights must be protected. Consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about your options during these difficult times.
Source:
Northern Kentucky News, "Bogus 'bingo' earns no jail time," Cindy Schroeder, March 19, 2013
]]>According to news reports, a March 5 internal memo from the NYPD Chief of Detectives ordered all police officers to run criminal background checks on those accused of domestic violence, as well as domestic violence victims.
"You're trying to close the case, but your complainant becomes uncooperative," a confidential insider recently told The New York Post. "Your supervisor says, 'Get her in here, and remind her that she has an open warrant.' They want us to use that as leverage to force them to remain cooperative."
]]> Not surprisingly, detectives are openly questioning the new policy, fearing that it will do nothing more than prevent women from reporting cases of domestic violence over fear that they will be taken to jail for minor criminal offenses.The internal edict has also drawn scorn from both politicians and victims' advocacy groups.
City Councilman Peter Vallone (D-Queens), who chairs the city's Public Safety Committee, recently penned a letter to the Chief of Detectives, Phil Pulaski, calling the new policy "misguided" and asking him to develop a new policy that is designed to help victims.
As for victims' advocacy groups, they expressed similar concern about a deterrent effect.
"[The directive] will increase fear and reduce safety if victims of domestic violence feel that they cannot call for help when they most need it," said a spokesperson for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
For their part, the NYPD has issued a statement clarifying that running background checks on victims is standard practice in domestic violence cases as it can help lead to a suspect, and that the point of the directive is not to make arrests of victims with warrants.
Stay tuned for updates on this intriguing story ...
If you have been charged or are currently under investigation for domestic violence, be certain to contact an experienced legal professional to learn more about your options.
Source:
The New York Post, "NYPD using criminal background checks to push victims in domestic-violence cases," Jamie Schram and Dan Mangan, March 16, 2013
]]>These blue light bulbs or "life bulbs" are the brainchild of Dante Chestnut Sr., founder of the Milwaukee-area non-profit Creating Hope I Love Life or CHILL as it is otherwise known.
Chestnut founded CHILL several years ago in response to the tragic loss of two friends -- R&B singer La La Brown and professional basketball player Lavelle Felton -- to gun violence here in Milwaukee. His overwhelming goals for the organization since day one have been to help bring strength, positivity and structure to young people facing difficult circumstances, and to help bring harmony to troubled city neighborhoods.
In support of both these goals, Chestnut launched the life bulbs program, which he hopes will act as a "symbol of peace, hope, and life in communities, throughout Wisconsin, and across the nation."
]]> According to Chestnut, the idea behind the blue lights is simple: they alert would-be criminals that they have officially entered a zone that has been declared violence free by area residents. In other words, these would-be criminals see the clusters of lights and leave thinking something is amiss.To date, the life bulb program has been a resounding success with over 5,000 light bulbs being handed out and installed by eager community members.
"Parishioners and elders came out and we put up bulbs until 9 p.m. in some of the roughest neighborhoods in the city," said an official with the Northwest Side Community Development Center.
While Chestnut is more than pleased with the success of the life bulb program, he is also focused on raising much-needed funds to go toward CHILL's various programs and initiatives, including block watches, peace marches, health fairs and scholarship programs to name a few.
Stay tuned for more from our Waukesha County criminal defense blog ...
Remember, if you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any type of crime, you have rights and these rights must be protected. Consider contacting an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about your options during these difficult times.
Sources:
Fox-6 Milwaukee, "Blue light bulbs shine in effort to deter crime in Milwaukee," Bret Buganski, March 16, 2013
Neighborhood News Service Milwaukee, "'Life bulbs' deter violence in high-crime neighborhoods," Edgar Mendez, March 12, 2013
]]>Interestingly, this exact scenario recently played out for one Wisconsin man at a popular retail chain, except that it also ended up with him being arrested and charged with a multitude of felonies.
According to reports, 37-year-old Jarad C. entered a Walmart in Lake Hallie last Thursday seeking to return a printer without any receipt or other documentation proving that he had bought the item there.
An inspection of the printer undertaken by store employees while Jarad C. was persuading them to refund its purchase price uncovered a single sheet of paper with two counterfeit $100 bills printed on it.
]]> Store employees then informed Jared C. that they would not accept the item and law enforcement officials were summoned after he became increasingly irate.Jarad C. informed the officers upon their arrival that he did not wish to speak with them and reportedly resisted while they attempted to place him under arrest at the store service counter. A subsequent search of his person allegedly uncovered three counterfeit $100 bills.
Jarad C. was eventually charged with theft by fraud, forgery and resisting arrest.
According to the U.S. Secret Service, counterfeit bills can typically be detected when the blue and red fibers that are otherwise embedded on the bill appear printed, and/or if the presidential portrait appears "lifeless and flat."
If you have been charged or are currently under investigation for any sort of felony or misdemeanor, be certain to contact an experienced legal professional to learn more about your options.
Sources:
The Chippewa Herald, "Printer return sticks on counterfeit bills," March 8, 2013; The Huffington Post, "[Man] arrested after returning a printer with two counterfeit bills inside," David Moye, March 11, 2013
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