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RIOT, OBSTRUCTION, AND DISRUPTION

A person commits the offense of riot when he or she, along with an assembly of a certain number of persons, creates an immediate danger of injury to property or to other persons or when he or she substantially interferes or obstructs law enforcement or other government functions or services.

Computer Fraud and Financial Institutions

With the prevalence and necessity of computers, computer fraud in financial institutions appears to be a frequently prosecuted offense. Employees, directors, and agents of financial institutions have access to their customers' information on a daily basis and at their fingertips. It is quite simple, for example, for an employee to delete unfavorable information of a client and add favorable information to the client's file. In the example above, the client may be able to obtain credit approval for certain items that he otherwise would not qualify for.

Loan Sharking or Usury

Loan sharking is defined as when a borrower is charged interest above an established legal rate. Depending on the state, lenders typically cannot charge more than 60% interest per year. Loan sharking is also commonly referred to as usury.

THEFT OF SERVICE

A person commits the offense of theft of service when he or she, with the intent to avoid payment for a service that is provided only for compensation: (1) intentionally or knowingly secures the performance of the service by deception, threat, or false token; (2) intentionally or knowingly diverts the service to his or her own use; (3) holds personal property beyond the expiration of a rental period; or (4) intentionally or knowingly obtains the performance of the service by agreeing to provide compensation and fails to make payment after receiving notice of a demand for payment.

Wire Fraud

The federal Wire Fraud statute was enacted more than 50 years ago. The statute includes both domestic and foreign wire transmissions.