Blog

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...

If you face federal criminal charges, the law ensures you are given a fair trial and protect your rights. Part of that protection is to make sure any testimony against you comes from reliable sources. This is why, for the most part, hearsay is not admissible as evidence in federal trials, according to the Federal...

A subpoena duces tecum is a legal order requiring a person to produce documents or tangible evidence for use at a hearing or trial. The term “duces tecum” comes from the Latin phrase “you shall bring with you.”  A subpoena duces tecum may be issued by a court or another tribunal, such as a grand...

Most states have laws that make it a crime to impersonate someone else, mainly when conducting business or performing government functions. But when that impersonation extends to pretending to be a federal officer, agent, or employee, it becomes a federal crime. This is because people's trust...

The federal government treats it as a grave offense when someone in the United States possesses or uses any pathogen with the intent to harm others. Biological weapons are considered very dangerous, and the legal consequences are severe. Any involvement with biological weapons is strictly prohibited...

The U.S. Constitution provides explicit protections that citizens shouldn't be compelled to testify against themselves when charged with a crime. And yet, false and coerced confessions are an ongoing problem within our criminal justice system. According to one report, as many as 27 percent of people...

Depending on where you live, you may or may not realize that there are still states and localities in the United States where prohibition effectively still exists—that is, where alcohol sales are prohibited by law. You may still hear the term "dry county" or "dry town" in some of these places. The federal laws...

For all intents and purposes, piracy is an international crime—that is, it’s a crime to commit piracy anywhere in the world. That being said, the U.S. government has enacted specific laws about crimes of piracy and how these crimes are punished. These laws are codified in Title 18 U.S. Code Chapter 81...

The federal government considers participation in a criminal organization a severe offense. Regardless of your level of involvement within the group, prosecutors may attempt to charge you under one of the United States federal gang laws. In addition to facing charges for the underlying crime...

Any time a federal agent attempts to search or seize your property, it is a cause for concern. Luckily the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution provides some protection against such an event, enshrining “the right of the people…against unreasonable search and seizures, shall not be violated...