Many people are concerned that young people might have their entire lives ruined because of being arrested with a small amount of Marijuana. Currently, the penalty for possession of Marijuana is probation or prison time.

According to Channel 10 News in Tampa, WTSP,

Tampa could soon become the next city in Florida to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

In a push to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in Tampa, on Thursday city council members decided on a date to vote on the issue.

The legal department has drafted an ordinance that would give civil citations to people who are caught with 20 grams or less of marijuana. Fines would start at $75 and must be paid within 30 days to prevent court proceedings. The person would also have to go to drug counseling. If a person has more than four citations, that will also trigger court proceedings.

A group of mothers in support of decriminalizing marijuana made a case against the current rules which they say are too harsh.

“It’s a big step to not be afraid that they’re going to go to jail for it. And it’s also a big step for teenagers who live in the area – or young people – not having their lives ruined over a small amount of a plant,” says Meredith Landerville.

A vote is set for March 4.

City councilman Harry Cohen says if this ordinance is passed, it could become law in the city within a couple of months.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.

An example of white collar crime is tax evasion. Joseph Wilke, the owner of a Marinette heating and air conditioning business, pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges in federal court in Green Bay.  The announcement was made by United States Attorney James L. Santelle.

Wlike, 56, admitted that he failed to report more than $130,000 of income which he earned from a side-business during the years 2007-2009.  This caused him to under report on federal taxes by more than $51,000 according to the United States Department of Justice.

Based on his plea agreement, Wilke faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.  He will also make restitution to the Internal Revenue Service for his unpaid taxes, interest, and penalties, which totals more than $108,000.

Wilke was released on bond and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for September 29, 2014.

This case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew L. Jacobs.

Tax evasion is the illegal evasion of taxes by individuals, corporations, and trusts.  Typically, tax evasion schemes involve the misrepresentation of income to the Internal Revenue Service by under reporting income, inflating deductions, or hiding money and interest altogether in offshore accounts. The estimated federal revenue lost to tax evasion was an estimated $305 billion during the calendar year of 2010.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.