Marijuana Laws In Rhode Island

 With the media being over-saturated with news about marijuana, it may be becoming old news when discussing a topic that previously had been taboo. It is important to note however, that even if they allow it for medical use, possession of marijuana is still a felony. Rhode Island has specific rules about drug possession and distribution, so if you live in this state this may be informative.
 - Distributing to a minor 3 years younger than the dealer will land you 2-5 additional years in prison
- Distributing or possessing drugs within 300 yards of a park or school will double your punishment and fines - Manufacturing or selling paraphernalia can land you in jail for 2 years and make you responsible for hefty fines
- If you have a qualifying condition for medical use you must have written permission from doctor
- Possession of less than one kilogram of marijuana could possibly mean one year in hail and a $200-$500 fine If you are fortunate enough to avoid jail time, you will most likely be responsible for participating in a drug abuse program and community service.
 Being caught with even smallest amount without a medical note is serious, and should be handled by an experienced criminal defense attorney. Call our office today if you have found yourself in any of the above-mentioned situations.
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If you have questions about this post or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney John E. MacDonald at 401.421.1440.

To learn more about John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.

Different Types Of Fraud

 There are many different types of fraud, and it can confusing to decipher until it is actually happening to you. You may have been a victim of some type of fraud in your life, and you may have had very little recourse after it actually happened. Most everyone has received the e-mail claiming that there is money waiting for you, that it is stuck overseas and all you need to do is provide your bank information in order to receive it. This type of scenario actually falls under wire fraud if prosecuted to the fullest extent. Bank fraud is the most common criminal offense managed by white collar criminal defense lawyers. This type of fraud can occur by way of a fake investment or "ponzi" scheme, pyramid scheme, market manipulation or advanced fee schemes.
 An advanced fee scheme is when a "creditor" offers a line of credit, gift, or investment after providing a starter amount of money. As with most things that seem too good to be true, that is often the case and the victim receives nothing. Another very common fraud is work-at-home schemes, where an ad is placed offering a tempting amount of money for a very small amount of work.
  The most common work-at-home schemes are:
  - Counterfeit check sponsored Mystery Shopper- A large check comes to you with the instructions to deposit it into your account,then to withdraw money so that you can "mystery shop" at local businesses, only to find that the check is counterfeit and you are now responsible.
  - Pyramid schemes- A company lures you into purchasing a "start-up kit" filled with promotional materials in order to entice others to join the "team". The initial draw is that the more people you recruit, the more money you will earn, so the cycle continues only to realize that there is no real pay-off.
 - Advance Fee Start Your Own Business- You can start your own business, it's so easy! All that you have to do is "invest" several hundred dollars to get started - we will provide everything! Have you heard this pitch before? Don't fall for it! Some of these fraud schemes are initiated by criminals, in an attempt to launder or steal money.
 If you are unsure of the legitimacy of these companies, check with the Better Business Bureau, they can provide everything that you need. If you have inadvertently become involved with a scheme and are being charged with fraud, contact your local Criminal Defense lawyer immediately.
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If you have questions about this post or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Attorney John E. MacDonald at 401.421.1440.

To learn more about John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.