CRIMINAL LAW BLOG

All forms of U.S. currency, such as bills and coins, are safeguarded by federal law. While many are aware of the illegal act of printing counterfeit money, it is not the only method that can devalue U.S. currency. Under Title 18 U.S. Code 331, it is a federal offense to fraudulently alter...

Confronted with the serious threat of federal charges and possible imprisonment, house arrest might provide some relief. This is particularly true if you're a first-time offender, charged with a non-violent crime, or dealing with other mitigating factors. House arrest can serve as a beacon of...

In California, consent is a fundamental aspect in assessing whether sexual activities are lawful. State law generally considers most sex crimes to involve situations where one individual does not or cannot provide consent. Breaking these laws can result in serious legal penalties, including fines...

Let's explain what occurs if your federal criminal case is "remanded for further proceedings." If you are convicted of a federal crime and choose to appeal, the Court of Appeals can either uphold the lower court's decision or overturn the verdict. Sometimes, appellate judges issue a ruling of...

Possession of lolicon (animated or drawn depictions of minors in sexual situations) can be illegal under U.S. federal law. While some state laws may only cover images involving actual children, federal law, specifically the PROTECT Act of 2003, criminalizes the possession, distribution, or....

Since the stock market's rise, many individuals have attempted to manipulate it for personal gain, potentially harming other investors. Market manipulation involves intentionally distorting financial markets to achieve a personal advantage. Generally, these manipulative tactics are designed to..

Using the United States Mail or a private or commercial carrier to commit a fraudulent scheme under Title 18 U.S.C. 1341 is a federal crime. Additionally, if you use a fictitious name or address to facilitate this scheme, you may face a separate federal charge under Title 18 U.S.C. 1342....

Under federal law, assisting or encouraging someone to commit a federal crime makes you just as liable and punishable as the person who actually commits the crime. According to Title 18 U.S. Code Section 2, anyone who aids or abets a federal offense is considered a 'principal.' In legal terms...

rephrase here. Numerous federal laws criminalize the making of false statements, particularly when they result in significant negative consequences. But when the spreading of false information could lead to mass panic and extensive waste of government resources, it's a particularly serious...

Potentially strict sentences accompany most federal offenses if you are convicted, not to mention a criminal record that may follow you for life. However, if you are facing certain federal drug charges and this is your first offense, the Federal First Offenders Act (FFOA) can offer you a ray of ...

Although state lotteries are widespread across most states, and many also participate in national games like Powerball, lotteries and similar games of chance remain heavily regulated in the U.S. Although states have their own laws on unauthorized or illegal lottery tickets, it becomes a federal....

Federal white-collar crimes are non-violent offenses aimed at financial gain, prosecuted at the federal level because of interstate commerce, federal agency involvement, or ties to the banking system.  Examples include fraud (such as securities, healthcare, and mortgage fraud), embezzlement...

Defending a charge under 26 U.S.C. § 7201 for tax fraud requires contesting the prosecution's proof of willfulness and evidence of deliberate evasion. Main defenses involve proving a lack of intent, arguing that discrepancies were honest mistakes, asserting good faith reliance on a tax profession...

Section 18 U.S. Code § 249, known as the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, criminalizes intentionally causing or attempting bodily harm to someone based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. This law applies if the...

A "Touhy request" is a formal request for official information or testimony from a federal agency or employee, particularly in litigation where the government is not a party to the case. The term "Touhy request" traces back to the 1951 Supreme Court case United States...

18 U.S.C. § 115 is a law of utmost seriousness, forbidding threatening, assaulting, kidnapping, or killing federal officials or their immediate family with the purpose of influencing or retaliating against their official duties. To violate this law, the act must aim to either interfere with the official....

Federal capital punishment can be imposed for crimes like murder, genocide, treason, and espionage. Additionally, crimes that may qualify if they cause death include terrorism, hostage-taking, aircraft hijacking, and murder by a federal prisoner serving a life sentence.  The death penalty...

Title 18 U.S. Code § 2383 defines rebellion or insurrection as a federal crime for anyone who incites, initiates, assists, participates in, or provides aid and comfort to a rebellion against the authority or laws of the United States. A conviction may lead to a fine, imprisonment for up to...

Title 18 U.S. Code § 2261A defines stalking as a federal crime. It states that stalking becomes a federal offense when someone crosses state lines or uses interstate commerce, such as the mail or internet, with the intent to kill, harm, harass, or intimidate another person. The law specifies...

Under 18 U.S. Code § 2331(5), domestic terrorism includes violent or dangerous acts that break U.S. or state laws and mainly happen within the United States. These acts aim to intimidate or coerce civilians, influence government policies through threats or force, or impact government actions via ...

Under 18 U.S. Code § 1801, known as the "Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2004," it is federally illegal to intentionally record a visual image of someone's "private area" without their consent, especially in places where they reasonably expect privacy. Violating this law can result in penalties...

18 U.S. Code 2381 defines treason as a grave offense, involving waging war against the United States or aiding enemies of the United States. To convict, there must be testimony from two witnesses to the same overt act or a confession in open court. The penalties for such a serious crime...

Title 8 U.S. Code § 1324 forbids bringing, transporting, or harboring aliens unauthorized to enter or stay in the U.S. It also covers acts like hiding, shielding, or encouraging unauthorized aliens to come to the country. Offenders face strict penalties, including fines, jail time, and, in some ...

Federal felony crimes are classified on a scale from Class A (most serious) to Class E (least serious), based on the maximum potential prison sentence authorized by law. Class A felonies are punishable by life imprisonment or death, and Class E felonies carry penalties of more than one year...

The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as the Food Stamp Program, was established as a means for the government to assist impoverished individuals and families in accessing subsidies to purchase essential food. As such, any attempt to exploit the SNAP....