Posted on June 20, 2022 in Hate Crime Statute

A man suspected of shooting and killing ten black individuals in a Buffalo grocery store in March was recently formally charged with multiple weapons violations and federal hate crimes. Many people understand the general concept of a hate crime, but do not fully understand what a hate crime is and when they can face charges for a hate crime. Hate crimes can be classified as both state-level offenses and federal offenses. Federal hate crime charges are punishable by severe, life-changing penalties. If you or a loved one were accused of committing a hate crime, contact a hate crime defense lawyer immediately.

Hate Crimes are Crimes Motivated by Bias Against Certain Groups

The term “hate crime” can be confusing because many violent offenses are motivated by anger or hate. According to federal law, a hate crime is one that is committed against someone because of the person’s race, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. The crime could be motivated by the person’s actual race, religion, gender, or another characteristic, or the perceived characteristic.

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 Posted on June 10, 2022 in Federal Crimes

Illegal immigration continues to be a controversial topic in the United States. Many people seek residency and citizenship in the United States and ensuring that people come to the U.S. legally is a top priority for many government agencies. Accusations of immigration fraud often lead to federal criminal charges punishable by harsh penalties. Both immigrants and U.S. citizens can find themselves facing immigration fraud charges.

If you or a loved one were accused of marrying someone solely for the purposes of getting them a visa, identity fraud, or another type of immigration fraud, contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately. Do not talk to the police until your attorney is present.

Marriage Immigration Fraud

One of the most common types of immigration fraud is marriage immigration fraud. In the internet age, people across the globe from each other can meet online and fall in love without ever meeting face to face. However, some people in this situation find themselves accused of immigration fraud.

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 Posted on June 03, 2022 in Fraud

Federal charges are often penalized more harshly than state level offenses. If you are convicted of a federal offense, you may be sentenced to years or even decades in prison. Federal wire fraud charges can be penalized by up to 20 years in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. If the fraud harmed a financial institution or involves a presidentially-declared emergency, the prison sentence can be up to 30 years.

If you or a loved one were charged with wire fraud, contact a federal criminal defense lawyer for help right away.

Federal Law on Wire Fraud

According to federal law, wire fraud occurs when:

• An individual knowingly participated in a scheme to defraud another party out of money

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 Posted on May 31, 2022 in Federal Crimes

If you find yourself charged with a federal crime, you might be wondering how your charge compares to a similar charge at the state level. There is some bad news - federal charges are typically a much more serious matter than state-level charges. Federal charges often lead to harsher sentencing, and you are less likely to receive a favorable plea bargain. This is partly because federal judges and prosecutors have less discretion than prosecutors and judges at the state level. If your offense carries a lot of prison time, you will probably serve quite a bit of it should you be convicted or plead guilty. White-collar offenders can expect no special treatment in federal courts, regardless of their position in society prior to the charge. If you are facing federal charges, it is important that you immediately retain a skilled federal criminal defense attorney. Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel LLC, Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney has over 20 years of criminal defense experience at the federal level. 

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 Posted on May 23, 2022 in Federal Crimes

Opioid addiction is a national epidemic. It spans the entire country, and Chicago is no exception. Individuals who are caught trafficking illegally obtained prescription drugs may be subject to state or federal prosecution. Doctors who distribute narcotics outside the scope of their normal, reasonable medical practice may be subject to prosecution for federal drug crimes as well. It is a federal felony to knowingly and intentionally hand out opioid prescriptions when it is not for a legitimate medical purpose. While a large number of known “pill mills” were taken down years ago when the opioid epidemic first became a known problem, there are still doctors who attempt to discreetly continue prescribing opioids to individuals they know are likely to resell or abuse them. 

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 Posted on May 16, 2022 in Federal Crimes

When you are convicted of a federal crime, the next step is sentencing. In sentencing, the judge will decide what the appropriate legal punishment for your offense is. This may include fines, jail time, or a term of probation. You may think that once the sentence imposed by the court is over with, you will be free to move on with your life as it was before. Unfortunately, a return to normalcy is unlikely for most defendants due to what is known as “collateral consequences.” Collateral consequences are any consequences of a conviction not imposed by the court. They are very real and may change the course of your life forever. In some cases, you may experience collateral consequences even if you are not convicted. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney may give you the best odds of avoiding or minimizing collateral consequences. 

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 Posted on May 09, 2022 in Money Laundering

Money laundering is, simply put, the illegal act of making “dirty” money appear “clean.” Generally, this involves making illegally-obtained money, such as profits from selling illicit drugs, look like it came from a legitimate source. Money laundering schemes are growing increasingly sophisticated and hard to detect. With the rise of online and international trade, it is easier than ever for unscrupulous actors to filter dirty money through legitimate businesses. If you own a business, it is important that you keep an eye out for any signs that someone is using your company to launder their illicit funds. Even if you are doing everything in your power to run your business in a legal and ethical manner, all it takes is one criminal to take advantage of you and you could find yourself facing federal charges. If you suspect that your business is being used for money laundering, do not wait to hear from the FBI - call an attorney immediately and follow their advice.

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 Posted on April 27, 2022 in White Collar Crime

The term “white collar crime” started gaining popularity in the 1930s. Crimes involving fraud for financial gain are often referred to as white collar crimes because these offenses are often committed by business professionals. Unlike violent offenses, the motivation behind white collar crimes like wire fraud and identity theft is typically financial in nature. Many white collar crimes are prosecuted by the federal government. A conviction for a federal white collar crime can lead to serious criminal consequences, including substantial prison time.

If you or a loved one were charged with a federal offense involving fraud, identity theft, embezzlement, money laundering, or conspiracy, contact a federal crimes defense lawyer for help right away. Your attorney can evaluate your case and determine the best defense strategy moving forward.

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 Posted on April 20, 2022 in Drug Crimes

Drug laws have changed dramatically throughout the last few decades. More and more states have legalized medicinal and recreational marijuana. Some states are even legalizing psilocybin mushrooms. However, there are still multiple state and federal laws regulating drug possession, manufacture, and sale. Violating federal drug laws can lead to significant criminal penalties, including years behind bars.

Moving Drugs Across State Lines Can Lead to Federal Charges

Drug crimes vary dramatically in terms of punishments and prison sentences. The amount of the substance and the type of substance determine the severity of drug possession charges. Manufacturing or cultivating drugs is usually penalized more harshly than simple possession. Transporting drugs may also be punished severely, especially if drugs are transported across state lines.

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 Posted on April 13, 2022 in Criminal Defense

Federal criminal offenses are generally considered to be more severe than state-level offenses. The penalties for federal crimes are often severe, involving years or even decades in prison. If you have received a subpoena from a grand jury, you may understandably feel confused and panicked. You may be unsure of what this means and how you should respond.

If you have received a grand jury subpoena, it means that the federal government believes that you have information related to a federal criminal case. It is very important to understand your rights and obligations in this situation. It is even more important to retain a skilled federal criminal defense lawyer who can advocate on your behalf and give you the personalized legal guidance you need.

Types of Grand Jury Subpoenas

Grand jury subpoenas are legal tools used by the government to gather evidence during the investigation or prosecution of a crime.

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