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If you're accused of a crime, depending on the nature of the offense and where it allegedly occurred, you'll either be charged with a state or federal crime. This determines the court where your trial will be held and where you may serve time if you are convicted. Federal prisons and state...

Let’s review why seeking a post-conviction attorney for your appeal is so important. If you are convicted of a federal crime, it is not necessarily the end of the road. The United States justice system gives defendants the right to appeal their convictions. If the appeal is successful, it offers a...

With advancements in forensic science, DNA testing of biological evidence has become an increasingly powerful tool in criminal investigations and trials. It can provide a definitive link between a suspect and a crime scene or victim or conclusively exclude someone from suspicion...

If you're charged with a crime and federal prosecutors intend to bring in expert witnesses to testify against you, your federal criminal defense attorney may file a Daubert motion to keep potentially substandard testimony from being presented to the jury. Named after the landmark...

The death penalty, commonly called capital punishment, represents the highest form of punishment within the United States legal system. Simply put, “capital punishment” is a legal punishment under the criminal justice system of the United States federal government. It is a sentence...

In this article, we will review a motion in limine. Specifically, what it is and when it is appropriate to file one. They are used at state and federal levels and often at pre-trial hearings or trials. A motion in limine is asking that certain evidence be found inadmissible and that it not be...

All Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities have leisure and law libraries, but the scope and quality typically vary. Both are generally within the Education Department at each facility and accessible to all incarcerated general population inmates. There is no cost to use the libraries except...

Suppose you are a foreign national serving a prison sentence in the U.S., either state or federal prison, or an American citizen serving time in a foreign prison. In that case, you may be eligible for a prison transfer under the International Prisoner Transfer Program (IPTP). Sometimes also...

In the federal prison system, inmate counts are a routine and crucial part of institutional operations. These counts are vital for maintaining these facilities' security, order, and accountability. However, these counts can also be intimidating, especially for someone new to the system...

What does it mean to “take the Fifth?” The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that the government cannot compel someone to provide incriminating information about themselves. This is the infamous “right to remain silent” phrase so often used. Simply...

The prospect of federal agents knocking on your door can be an incredibly daunting and anxiety-inducing experience. The confusion and stress accompanying such a scenario could easily lead one to make mistakes that exacerbate the situation. Knowing your rights in this situation...

When you're facing federal criminal charges, the stakes are high, and the consequences of a conviction can be severe. Your choice of legal representation is not one to be taken lightly. Most people are unfamiliar with the process of a federal criminal case filed by the United States...

As part of the war on drugs, the United States in the 1980s enacted a set of laws that greatly expanded its jurisdiction into the high seas in an attempt to curb drug manufacturing and trafficking aboard vessels. These laws are contained in the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA...

All forms of currency in the United States, including bills and coins, are protected by federal law. Most people are familiar with the illegal practice of printing counterfeit money, but that isn’t the only way to devalue U.S. currency. Under Title 18 U.S. Code 331, it’s a federal crime to fraudulently...

Not only is it a federal crime to use the United States Mail or a private or commercial carrier to carry out a fraudulent scheme defined under Title 18 U.S.C. 1341, but if you utilize a fictitious name or address for the purpose of carrying out such a scheme, you could also be...

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees us the right to privacy—specifically, the right "to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures." However, with the advent of computers, digital communication, and electronic...

Federal law requires that transactions involving sizable amounts of cash, typically more than $10,000, must be reported to the government. This reporting requirement includes the physical moving of money into or out of the United States. If you attempt to bypass this...

Federal law is stringent regarding the practices of “loansharking,” i.e., lending money in a predatory manner at exorbitant interest rates, usually with violent consequences for non-repayment. Making extortionate extensions of credit, defined under Title 18 U.S. Code 892...

Let’s review suspicious activity reports (SARs), the United States Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), common triggers, and what you need to know about them. Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are an essential tool under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) for combatting...

The U.S. Constitution guarantees U.S. citizens the right to a “speedy trial” when accused of a crime. This right exists for two reasons. First, since evidence and memory of events tend to fade over time, it is the best way to ensure that a trial is fair. Second, it prevents the government...

Since banks and similar financial lending institutions are regulated and insured by the federal government, they also fall under federal jurisdiction. To ensure that loans are fairly evaluated and issued based solely on a person's qualifications, it is a federal crime for officials...

As a general rule, the federal government tries to honor the legal sovereignty of Indian nations about crimes committed in their territories. This means that in many cases, crimes committed within the Indian country may be prosecuted in tribal courts. However, the federal...

According to Title 18 U.S. Code 1761, it is a federal crime to import or transport prison-made goods in interstate or foreign commerce, such as across state or international boundaries. This includes any product made in whole or part by convict labor. If you are convicted of...

While every state has laws that make vehicle theft a crime, it becomes the federal government's jurisdiction when stolen vehicles cross a state or international boundary. If you're accused of selling or receiving a stolen vehicle across those boundaries while knowing it was stolen, you could face severe...

Our transportation systems and facilities, otherwise known as "carrier facilities,” are critical to interstate and foreign commerce in the United States. Therefore, the federal government has enacted laws to protect these systems and facilities from vandalism, theft, and other crimes. In particular, Title...