Criminal defense questions? View our archive of video questions below. Be sure to check back regularly as we are always updating this section.
Prosecuting in a Pandemic – A Webinar
Senior Associate Ryne Sandel discusses an upcoming webinar taking place April 8, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. hosted by the DBA
Working Remotely
Senior Associate Attorney Ryne Sandel talks about how WLO is transitioning to working remotely and offers assistance to anyone else struggling.
COVID-19 and Gideon
Ryne Sandel talks about COVID-19 and Gideon v. Wainwright. At Whalen Law Office, we help people facing serious criminal allegations in a discreet and professional [...]
Sentencing Case Law Update
The owner of Whalen Law Office, James Whalen talks about how there has been a new case that came out from the U.S. Supreme Court [...]
Changes in Texas DWI Fines
DWI Fines have changed in Texas. How can that affect you? At Whalen Law Office, we help people facing serious criminal allegations in a discreet [...]
Pre-Trial Diversion Programs
Senior Associate, Ryne Sandel and Senior Paralegal, Diana Wilson talk to you today about Pre-Trial Diversion. At Whalen Law Office, we help people facing serious [...]
Saying No to a Police Search of Your Car
How to say "No" when police want to search your vehicle. At Whalen Law Office, we help people facing serious criminal allegations in a discreet [...]
Restraining and Protective Orders
Understand the difference between restraining and protective orders. At Whalen Law Office, we help people facing serious criminal allegations in a discreet and professional manner. [...]
I’m the CEO of a healthcare company. I’ve been charged with fraud. Can I be found guilty even if I didn’t know fraud was being committed?
f you’re the CEO of a healthcare company and the company’s been charged with fraud, can the CEO be found liable? It depends. If the [...]
I’m being charged with a white collar crime by the state of Texas, not the federal government. How does this change matters?
Mainly the big difference between being charged with a white collar crime by the state of Texas versus the federal government really deals with punishment. [...]
How do the police go about obtaining a warrant to search my property?
The police go about obtaining a warrant by, first, drafting an affidavit stating what they believe to be probable cause that a crime’s been committed [...]
The state of Texas has charged me with embezzlement. How do I begin clearing my name?
If you’ve been charged with the offense of embezzlement in the state of Texas and you’re trying to clear your name, the one main thing [...]
I was convicted of a crime in a Federal court but believe I am innocent. What are my options?
If you’ve been convicted of a crime in federal court you have basically two options; one is to appeal your conviction and you have two [...]
If I am charged with a white collar crime, does that mean the government has enough evidence to convict me?
If you’re charged with a white collar crime just because you’re charged doesn’t mean the government has enough evidence to convict you. When you’re charged [...]
I’ve been accused of running a “Ponzi scheme” but believe I did nothing wrong. What do I do?
If you’ve been charged or accused of running a Ponzi scheme basically a Ponzi scheme is where somebody takes money from future investors to pay [...]
I’ve been accused of violating my parole or supervised release. Does this mean I’m going back to prison?
If you’ve been charged with violating your supervised release or parole those are basically two different topics. If you’re charged with unsupervised release, your unsupervised [...]
I’ve been charged with a white collar crime. What are the likely penalties I am facing?
If you’ve been charged with a white collar crime it depends whether you’ve been charged in state court or in federal court. In federal court, [...]
What happens if I don’t comply with law enforcement’s request to search my property?
If law enforcement asks you to search their home or office and you deny their request or say no to them, nothing is going to [...]
What do I do if I am indicted?
If you are indicted what that means is you have now been formally charged with an offense and will have to start making appearances in [...]
I have been charged with tax evasion but I did no such thing. How can I defend myself?
If you’ve been charged with tax evasion basically what that means is the federal government is accusing you of not reporting all your income on [...]
I’ve been subpoenaed by a grand jury as a “business representative.” What should I do?
If you’ve been subpoenaed to a grand jury as a business representative your role is a little bit different; you’re simply there it testify on [...]
I just learned that I am facing white collar charges. What’s the next step?
If you think you’re facing a white collar crime, and white collar crimes are generally those crimes that involve some type of fraud or theft [...]
I think I am about to be charged with a crime. What should I do?
If you think you’re about to be charged with a crime the one thing that you should do is make sure that you remain silent. [...]
If law enforcement officials ask to search my home or office, do I have to let them?
If law enforcement comes to you either your house or your office asking to search either one you do not have to let them. You [...]
What is an indictment?
An indictment is a formal accusation charging you with a crime. Just because you’ve been arrested for an offense doesn’t mean you’ve been formally charged. [...]
Can I go to jail for a “white collar” crime?
Yes you can go to jail for a “white collar” crime and the main factor that determines whether or not you go to jail is [...]
I’ve been subpoenaed to appear before a grand jury as a witness. What does this mean and what should I do?
If you’ve been subpoenaed as a witness in front of a grand jury what that means is a grand jury is investigating a criminal case [...]