When a person is accused of a crime in Oregon, it can feel like the person has lost all control. They may not understand the criminal proceedings, the potential penalties or even how long the process is going to take. In many cases, it may feel as if the prosecutors have complete control over a situation. However, Oregon residents should know that they can play an active role in the criminal proceedings. With the right criminal defense help, people can defend against criminal charges.
When can an officer stop a driver for suspected DUI in Oregon?
In a recent blog post, this blog explained that police cannot use sobriety checkpoints in Oregon. Under the current state constitution such measures are illegal. This is the result of a 1987 constitutional amendment that outlawed the practice. However, as many Portland, Oregon residents know, you can still be stopped by police for suspicion of drunk driving. Unsuspecting motorists may wonder -- when can police officers stop drivers in Oregon for driving under the influence?
State senator proposes sobriety checkpoints for Oregon
Oregon police have a variety of weapons in their arsenal when it comes to stopping drunk driving. They have patrols, breath tests, blood tests, field sobriety tests and more. However, in Oregon it has been illegal to use sobriety check points to identify drunk drivers. In 1987, a constitutional amendment was passed that outlawed the process. However, more than 30 other states use checkpoints as a way to search for and stop drunk drivers.
Field sobriety testing measures
When police suspect that a person has been driving under the influence, there are a variety of tests that police can choose to perform to confirm their suspicions. One common test is the field sobriety test. While people may have visions of people touching their noses or saying the alphabet backwards from popular culture, the truth is actually a little different. Field sobriety tests are sophisticated tests based in science to that help to show if a person has been drinking or not.
White collar crimes also need an aggressive defense
Many posts on this blog have stressed the seriousness of felony charges. People likely understand that they can face serious prison sentences, large fines and probation for a conviction on felony charges. However, people may not always think of the wide range of felony charges available. Not every felony charge is just for a violent crime. In fact, many white collar crimes, are purely financial. As we explained in a recent post, Oregon residents can face a Class B felony for money laundering, even when no violence was used in a case.
What are the fines for felony convictions in Oregon?
On many occasions, this blog has explained that the potential penalties for felony convictions in Oregon are severe. These crimes are the most serious that a person can face and therefore the penalties reflect that. While many people know that these crimes can potentially include a prison sentence, many people may not realize that they can be sentenced to large fines in addition to the prison time.
What is money laundering?
In a recent article, this blog highlighted the story of several local Portland residents who were arrested on various drug charges. In addition to the drug charges, the men faced charges for money laundering and illegal gambling. According to reports, the individuals had been using a local café to launder money obtained through a gambling ring and from distributing marijuana across the United States. After reading this story, many people may wonder -- what constitutes money laundering?
Portland group faces multiple criminal charges in federal court
A large scale investigation has led to several arrests in the Portland area. According to reports, a group of eight people have indicted on federal charges following the investigation. This investigation resulted in the execution of several search warrants. Reports claim that at least 12 places were searched by federal agents as the indictments were issued.
