Monthly Archives: November 2013

List of Federal Drug Charges

A federal drug charge is a narcotic-related criminal act deemed illegal by the federal government. While many federal drug crimes are also state crimes, some acts are considered criminal only at the federal level (for instance, marijuana is now legal in Colorado but still deemed illegal by the U.S. government). Federal crimes are prosecuted in federal courts… Read More »

Examples and Types of Federal Crimes

Per the laws of the United States, criminal offenses can be considered state offenses or federal offenses. They are prosecuted accordingly, either at the state level or at the federal level. A federal crime is one that has been made illegal by federal legislation. Many types of federal crime are also illegal at the state… Read More »

Non Prosecution Agreement: A Minor Role in Federal Crime

When trying to prosecute many crimes, the only way that the U.S. Attorney’s office can get some necessary evidence is to get it from people who were involved in the crime being prosecuted. People involved in criminal activity try to cover their tracks and make sure that they only people who know about the crime… Read More »

What is the Sentence for Drug Trafficking + 8 Other Common Questions

Drug trafficking crimes get a great deal of attention at both the state and federal level, and it is easy to see why. Drug abuse costs the US over $10 billion per year, due to death, injuries, health care costs, treatment, incarceration expenses and more. What constitutes drug trafficking? If you are being charged with… Read More »

Understanding RICO Conspiracy Laws, Charges

The federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act “RICO” is often thought of as a law designed to combat the Mafia. While that is how the law was first primarily used and intended, it has been applied in cases involving organizations that few people would mistake for the Mafia, including Major League Baseball, the Key… Read More »

How to Fight Federal Conspiracy with Intent to Distribute Drug Charges?

One of the most common federal charges against criminals is federal conspiracy with intent to distribute drugs, which is covered in  21 USC 841 and 21 USC 846 of the Federal Code. If you are facing these serious charges, it is very important for you to understand the laws underlying this statute. You are facing… Read More »

Federal Drug Trafficking & Distribution Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Federal drug trafficking/distribution laws provide stiff penalties for the selling, transportation and illegal importation of illegal drugs,such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs. Drug trafficking and distribution is a felony, and is much more serious than simple drug possession. If you are found possessing drugs, you can be charged with trafficking if law… Read More »

What Are the Stages & Steps of Criminal Case During & After Arrest

The process of criminal justice in the US will vary some, depending if it is a federal or a state crime. However, the general criminal justice process in the US during and after the initial arrest is as follows: Arrest If a police officer has probable cause that you have committed a crime, they generally… Read More »

Lawyer Help with Federal Arraignment Process + Video

First time federal criminal defendants often hear the word “Arraignment” and get a little scared because the word itself is formal and not used outside of criminal law. This leads defendants to expect that something big will happen at their arraignment hearings. However, after the hearings, it is common for defendants to turn to their… Read More »

Pending Federal Criminal Charges Now What?

When people talk about having pending federal charges, they are talking about one of two things: Charges that have been filed, but not yet prosecuted, or Charges that will be filed. These are very different circumstances that have to be handled in different ways. Charges Already Filed Sometimes, an Assistant U.S. Attorney will file criminal… Read More »

Plea Agreements, Deals & Bargaining in Federal Court

Most federal criminal cases never go to trial. Instead, they end with a formal plea bargain between the defendant and the U.S. Attorney’s office. The defendant agrees to plead guilty and in exchange the prosecution agrees to either drop some charges or agrees to recommend a shorter sentence for the defendant. The prosecution normally likes… Read More »

The Importance of a Pre-Sentence Report

If someone has been convicted of or plead guilty to a federal crime, the pre-sentence report is perhaps the most important document in his or her life. This is a formal report issued by the U.S. Probation Office that is presented to the judge. The report details what the Probation Office thinks is an appropriate… Read More »

Rule 10 Arraignment- How to Appear by Video Conference

Why is Rule 10. such a key federal rule? First let’s note an arraignment hearing is one of the many small steps in the federal criminal process that must occur in all cases. Traditionally, the arraignment required the defendant’s personal presence in the courtroom. However, recent amendments to Rule 10 of the Federal Rules of… Read More »

What is the Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drugs Charges?

In the mid-1980s, new federal laws were passed that provided for mandatory minimum sentences for many drug offenses. Many legislatures in the US adopted these harsher sentences to fight drug offenses. The idea behind these laws was to punish large drug dealers and traffickers with tough prison sentences. The federal system led the way when… Read More »

Lawyer Help for Federal Criminal Investigations

Federal criminal investigations are not like other investigations. When most of us start investigating something, we do not have an idea of what happened. We seek people out who might know and start asking them questions. As we get more information, we start to form an opinion. However, by the time that federal criminal investigators… Read More »

What to Expect in a Grand Jury Indictment Investigation

The grand jury has a very important role in the criminal process at both the state and federal levels. It is however, a part of the criminal justice system in the United States that is often shrouded in mystery. If you are being investigated for a possible federal crime by a federal grand jury, it… Read More »

Bank Robbery Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Bank robbery has a long and sometimes even a somewhat glamorized history, thanks in large part to its depiction in films and TV. But the reality is that it is one of the most serious crimes a person can be charged with, leading to very long prison sentences and other penalties. Bank robbery is just… Read More »

Child Pornography Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Child pornography is defined as any pornography that involves a minor under the age of 18. The media doesn’t matter, and magazines, photos, drawings, sounds, film, and more can all be considered child pornography. There are technically two types of child pornography – simulated child pornography and porn created with the direct involvement of the… Read More »

Counterfeiting Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

In one form or another, counterfeiting has existed for hundreds of years and is still a problem today. There are two main types of counterfeiting crimes that are commonly committed today – counterfeiting currency, and counterfeiting goods. Both are very serious and will be charged as felonies. Additionally, the specific situation could bring even heavier… Read More »

Immigration Offense + Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

While immigration laws are put in place in order to help control the influx of people to a country, and while nearly all nations in the world have them, US immigration law is one of the most controversial. This is largely due to a history of exclusionary, near-xenophobic laws that are now much more inclusive… Read More »

Kidnapping + Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Kidnapping is a type of crime that involves taking a person away, imprisoning, confining, or transporting a person against their will. There are many different types of kidnapping, and the type that one is charged with will depend upon the specifics of the crime. Kidnapping is done for ransom, in child custody cases, to further… Read More »

Mail Fraud Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Mail fraud is defined by US law as any type of scheme involving fraud that intentionally deprives others of property or communications through the mail. It also includes wire communication, and is a federal crime that has been on the books since 1872. There have been many schemes and frauds over the years, though the… Read More »

Drug Possession Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Drug possession is one of the most diverse and common types of criminal drug charges that Americans face today. It can also be one of the most serious, depending upon the specifics of the possession charge. Essentially, possession is the act of possessing illegal drugs, either on one’s person or on their property. Simple possession… Read More »

Drug Smuggling Laws, Charges & Statute of Limitations

Smuggling is the act of transporting goods across borders in order to avoid import or export restrictions, avoid customs agents, or to avoid any other kind of notice from authorities. When most people hear the term, they think of narcotics, weapons, or even humans. But numerous other goods are smuggled regularly across international borders, ranging… Read More »

What Does it Mean? Pre vs Post Grand Jury Indictment

Federal criminal prosecutions follow strict procedural maps. Before one thing can happen, other things must have happened first. An obvious example is that before someone can be sentenced for committing a crime, he or she first has to be convicted of that crime. There are many other landmarks in the prosecution of federal crimes that… Read More »

Is Embezzlement a Felony or Federal Crime?

The full definition of embezzle is to appropriate property entrusted in ones care fraudulently to ones own use.  Embezzlement is a type of financial fraud. More often than not, embezzlement is performed in a manner that is premeditated, systematic and/or methodical, with the explicit intent to conceal the activities from other individuals. Embezzlement usually involves… Read More »