DeKalb County Criminal Law Blog

Anna Sorokin, known as the “socialist scammer,” and Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the now-dismantled health technology company Theranos, are prime examples of how your courtroom outfit can factor into the outcome of your case. Lawyers and law firms have been long-known to hire image consultants, but courtroom style has become so big that dedicated “courtroom stylists,” are now a thing. It is rare that the average defendant could afford a stylist to guide them toward making a good first impression in court – but nonetheless – what you choose to wear is something to think about.

Speaking to Huffington Post, Julie Zerbo, a Toronto based image consultant, mentioned “Your appearance is part of your presence

Recently, an Atlanta man appeared in court for allegedly scamming investors out of money intended to start a fantasy football league. According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the man received $500,000 to start the league, but he instead used the money to dine at restaurants and take personal vacations. He then allegedly withheld information about the money when he filed federal income tax returns. Because of his actions, the man faces charges of wire fraud and tax fraud.

There are several actions that are considered federal tax fraud, including:

• Intentionally underreporting income
• Reporting personal expenses as business expenses
• Failing to deposit cash payments to avoid tax consequences
• Inflating the value of business expenses

In many ways, it is amazing to consider how one incident can ultimately completely alter the course of a person's life. A person charged with a crime, for example, will likely be left creating new plans for their future. One man in Georgia may be doing so following his recent arrest; he is now accused of multiple felonies and misdemeanors.

Police claim that they became involved with the man when they received a phone call about a domestic incident at approximately 6:30 a.m. on a day in early July. The caller reportedly claimed that a man had been physically violent while under the influence of drugs. Reports indicate that statements made by children at the home and physical injuries on a woman indicated physical abuse.

You were picked up on a crime in Georgia. Criminal charges were filed against you, and you ended up being convicted after your case was heard in court. Now what? If any errors made during your trial contributed to your conviction, you may have the right to appeal.

Here's the thing: judgment calls and error in procedure by one's attorney or by the prosecution can wind up costing an accused individual his or her freedom. It happens far more often than you would think. The court system is not perfect. This is why the appeal process was put in place.