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The agricultural industry is more than just a set of commodities to be traded; it deals with public access to food, a basic necessity. Any unnecessary upheaval created in these markets through unfair speculation or misuse of sensitive information could have dramatic consequences for the markets...

Being released pending trial on federal criminal charges signifies a high level of trust: the legal system has granted you the opportunity to stay in your community instead of being in custody. During this period, your actions carry a weight beyond simply obeying the law; they reflect your...

The Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989 is a pivotal and complex piece of legislation that has substantially transformed the financial landscape in the United States. In modern times, FIRREA has also given the federal government additional tools to impose...

One of the oldest statutes in the federal law books, which is little known and rarely enforced, effectively states that anyone who knows that a felony was committed and fails to report it is guilty of a felony themselves. The term for this crime is "misprision of a felony," defined under Title 18 U.S.C. 4...

In our global economy, many opportunities exist for corrupt practices and an ongoing temptation for businesses and individuals to gain an unfair advantage in the market through strategic bribery. To that end, the United States and the UK have implemented some of the strongest laws in the world...

Let's review the prohibition on releasing and using certain personal information from state motor vehicle records law defined under Title 18 U.S. Code 2721. When someone seeks a driver's license or registers a vehicle at their local Department of Motor Vehicles, they must provide personally identifiable...

If you're accused by law enforcement or federal investigators of "swatting," you could face numerous federal or state charges—possibly both. Swatting may be seen as a prank or an act of retribution, but because it involves law enforcement showing up with serious firepower, it can also be...

The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution is a critical protection for citizens, safeguarding them from unreasonable searches and seizures. However, this protection is not absolute. The third-party doctrine, a legal principle developed through court decisions, provides an exception...

Since 2015, the bill called "Kate's Law" has continued to spark controversy as congressional leaders have introduced and reintroduced it. If enacted, this law would enforce much stricter penalties on individuals convicted of certain crimes who re-enter the United States after having been deported...

In the ongoing battle to combat the opioid crisis, a few cities across the country have begun considering "safe injection sites" as a controversial approach to curbing the problem. In 2021, New York City opened the first publicly recognized safe injection site, with other sites planned in cities ...

The criminal justice system has many checks, balances, and safeguards in place, all intended to ensure justice is administered appropriately, that defendants are truly considered innocent until proven guilty, and to prevent wrongful convictions whenever possible. However, the system itself...

A photo array, a photographic lineup, is a procedure law enforcement agencies use to identify crime suspects. It typically consists of photographs, including the suspect and several fillers, individuals not suspected of the crime, presented to an eyewitness. A lineup is when a witness is...

In the legal context, immunity is a powerful tool wielded by federal prosecutors. It can serve as a lifeline to those accused of crimes, especially if you have information to help them obtain convictions on other, perhaps more serious crimes. At the same time, an offer of immunity is not...

Lolicon (sometimes called "loli" for short) is a controversial genre of anime or manga that features explicit sexual depictions of underage female characters. The male counterpart of lolicon is shotacon. The name "lolicon" is derived from the novel Lolita and is sometimes also used to refer to...

Suppose you've been charged with a federal crime, and you committed the crime because someone threatened, intimidated, or forced you into doing something you would not have done otherwise. You may claim duress or coercion as a valid defense in that case. Suppose you and your...

The Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) is a controversial federal law that imposes severe penalties on repeat offenders convicted of unlawful firearm possession. This law aims to deter so-called "career criminals," particularly those specializing in violent or serious drug offenses, from further...

Parallel construction is a legal strategy often used in federal criminal investigations. It's a complex and somewhat controversial practice that can significantly impact the outcomes of cases, often not in favor of the defendant. Parallel construction occurs when the federal government learns...

Let’s review what happens if your federal criminal case is "remanded for further proceedings. If you are convicted of a federal crime and decide to appeal your case, the Court of Appeals may either uphold the lower court's decision or overturn the verdict. But on occasion, the appellate...

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is a comprehensive, strategic approach to reducing gun violence and promoting safer neighborhoods in the United States. Initiated in 2001, PSN leverages local, state, and federal resources to create a broad network of law enforcement and community...

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...