Practice

Driving While Intoxicated

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If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Theft & Burglary

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If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Domestic Violence

Assault directed at loved ones (for example a spouse, a former spouse, a girlfriend or roommate) is considered domestic violence. This offense can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the extent of the violence & type of injury.

The State of Texas prosecutes this case very aggressively. Even if the victim wants to forgive and forget, the victim is simply a witness and must take a back seat while the prosecutor moves ahead with the criminal case. Having a skilled criminal attorney in your corner is your best means of defense. Contact Feroz Merchant for a free consultation immediately.

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Federal Drug Crimes

Federal and State drug possession laws make it a crime to willfully possess illegal controlled substances. Drug possession laws vary according to drug type, amount, and geographic area of the offense. Possession of small quantities may be deemed "simple" possession, while possession of large amounts may result in a charge of presumed "possession with intent to distribute."

If you’re alleged crime involves large amounts of illegal drugs, transporting or distributing drugs over state lines or across the border, or other specific details, you may face federal drug crime charges rather than state charges. Cases at the federal level that involve drug crimes such as:

• Federal drug trafficking
• Federal drug manufacturing
• Federal drug sales and distribution
• Internet drug distribution
• Federal drug importation and transportation
• Mailing drugs across state lines or national borders
• Drug smuggling into or out of the United States
• Other crimes related to drugs and money laundering

I’ve represented people charged with such offenses in both State and Federal Courts. It’s important to have someone that not only understands the law related to drug offenses but search and seizure as well.

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

White Collar Crimes

Fraud, the art of deliberate deception for unlawful gain, is as old as history; the term "white-collar crime" was reportedly coined in 1939 by Professor Edwin Sutherland and has since become synonymous with the full range of frauds committed by business and government professionals.

The tremendous growth of and involvement in the securities and commodities markets have led to great numbers of individuals involved in intentional corporate fraud and misconduct. This has fact has had the govxernment casting a huge net, a net that includes the innocent and blameless. Aggressive use of anti-money laundering statutes and forfeiture of ill-gotten assets are integral parts of nearly every financial crime prosecution. Unfortunately, once the federal authorities make an accusation, they rarely if ever change their minds. Every statement, document and other piece of evidence will be taken and construed as evidence to support guilt. If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud in Texas, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION.

I’ve represented people charged with such offenses in both State and Federal Courts. It’s important to have someone that not only understands the law related to drug offenses but search and seizure as well.

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Health Care, Medicare & other Fraud

Health care fraud schemes are diverse and vary in complexity, targeting both public and private health insurance plans. Such schemes include:

• Billing for services not rendered
• Billing for services not medically necessary
• Double billing for services provided
• Upcoding (e.g., billing for a more highly reimbursed service or product than the one provided)
• Unbundling (e.g., billing separately for groups of laboratory tests performed together in order to get a higher reimbursement)
• Kickbacks in return for referring patients or influencing the provision of health care are other common schemes.

Other types of schemes include providing services by untrained personnel, failing to supervise unlicensed personnel, distributing unapproved devices or drugs, and creating phony health insurance companies or employee benefit plans.

The following law enforcement agencies investigate health care fraud:

• City, County, State and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies
• Justice Department through the Assistant
• U.S. Attorney Generals Office
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Postal Inspectors
• Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Offices of Inspectors General (OIG)
• U.S. Department of Labor

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Computer Crimes

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If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

RICO & Racketeering

The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (commonly referred to as RICO Act or RICO) is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization. RICO was enacted by section 901(a) of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (Pub.L. 91-452, 84 Stat. 922, enacted October 15, 1970). RICO is codified as Chapter 96 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. § 1961–1968. While its intended use was to prosecute the Mafia as well as others who were actively engaged in organized crime, its application has been more widespread.

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Sex Crimes

While talking my daily walk in the evening with my uncle, I mentioned a case I had set for trial where the accusation was a sexual assault of a child. To my surprise, he said he wished the accused would get life or worse. This is even though it was before trial, before he knew any facts, he hadn’t seen or heard from the accused and as it stood, it was just an accusation and only an accusation. These cases invoke the normal reaction of wanting to protect the child and punish the guilty. The problem, however, is that most people because of the accusation go past the finding of guilt straight to punishment. In these kind of cases its difficult for many to understand the presumption of innocence let alone follow it. Then there’s the issue of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

The situation is emotionally charged because the victim (who may also be a child) who has been abused or believes was abused is venerable and we all want and should help those that cannot help and protect themselves. Its important to have someone on your side to explain and emphasize the presumption of innocence.

Unfortunately, because emotions run high in these situations, it’s easy for some to jump to conclusions and want revenge and the ability to hold someone (anyone) responsible.

It’s for these reasons one should not talk to the police, take a polygraph or consent to anything. Ask for a lawyer immediately.

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

Appeals

A defendant who is found guilty of some or all charges is entitled to an appeal to at least one level of appellate court. An appeal is a formal request that a higher court review the decisions or actions of a lower court. The defendant that is found guilty in the lower court usually makes an appeal. Some grounds for an appeal may include insufficient evidence, violation of rights or possible mistakes made by the judge or even how the jury handled the case.

An appeal to a higher court may be possible if you disagree with the result at the trial level or feel you were treated unfairly. You may also appeal, in limited circumstances, a plea of guilty to the charged offense. I'll thoroughly review your case to see what issues are available to appeal.

If you or a loved one has been approached by law enforcement investigating healthcare fraud, contact Feroz Merchant for a FREE CONSULTATION

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