Posted on February 07, 2020 in Federal Crimes

Sometimes, people find themselves in such a bad situation that they become desperate. That was likely the case in late January when a man, believed to be between 20 and 30 years old, entered the Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in the Salmon Creek Albertsons in Washington. After approaching the teller he handed her a note demanding cash and after receiving it, he left. Police are still asking for help in locating the suspect who will likely face charges of bank robbery if caught. The bank robbed in the recent story was a federal credit union, so it makes sense that it would be considered a federal offense. However, are all bank robberies considered a federal crime? The answer is yes, and a conviction comes with harsh consequences.

How is Bank Robbery Defined in the Federal Code?

Bank robbery is covered under 18 USC 2113. This section of the United States Code defines bank robbery as stealing or attempting to steal cash or property of any value that belongs to a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association.

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 Posted on January 31, 2020 in Federal Crimes

If you have been indicted for a federal crime such as embezzlement or bankruptcy fraud, you likely know that you need a qualified federal criminal defense lawyer to represent you. You likely also know that you do not just need a lawyer, you need the right lawyer for your case and one that will give you the best chance of success. So, how do you go about finding one? Following the tips below will certainly help.

Find the Right Type of Lawyer

If you are charged with or being investigated for a federal crime, you need a federal criminal defense lawyer. These lawyers are much different than divorce lawyers or estate planning lawyers. They are even much different than criminal defense lawyers that work at a state level. Federal criminal defense lawyers understand the federal system, how federal courts work, and what the sentencing guidelines are in federal court. This is important and will make a difference in your case.

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 Posted on January 24, 2020 in Federal Crimes

A federal conviction can ripple through every part of your life, including jobs, housing, licensing, and even travel. It is common to question whether there is a way to wipe your slate clean. For most people, federal law does not offer a general expungement. There is, however, a very narrow path for specific first-offense drug cases, and there are other tools that may soften the impact of a record. Working with an experienced Chicago, IL expungement attorney ensures you understand your rights and have the best chance at a fresh start.

When Can Federal Convictions Be Expunged?

Think of expungement as a court order that removes public references to your case so it reads as if it never happened. In federal court, the main route to expungement appears in 18 U.S.C. § 3607, often called the Federal First Offender Act, and it specifically relates to drug possession. It applies when all of the following line up:

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 Posted on January 17, 2020 in Appeals

Just like with the state criminal justice system, if you have been convicted of a federal crime, you can also appeal it. Unlike appeals that happen at the state level though, federal appellate courts are much more difficult to understand than appeals that happen in state court. This is largely due to the fact that federal appellate judges and their staff are kept separate from the defendant, their lawyer, and the public. To demystify the process, listed below are the top five things anyone convicted of a federal crime, such as embezzlement or drug trafficking, should know if they want to appeal the decision.

A Federal Appeal is Not a Retrial

Federal appeals do not take place in a courtroom. There are no witnesses, new evidence is not presented, and there is not a jury. Instead, federal appeals deal only with the legality of the original trial. Attorneys for each side will prepare a brief that raises any errors made in the original trial or responds to allegations of an error made.

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 Posted on January 10, 2020 in Federal Crimes

When many people hear of the federal justice system, they may at first imagine tough United States attorneys and convictions that come with much harsher sentences in federal prison. Both of these are elements of the federal justice system, but there is also much more to it than just that. There are also many ways this system varies from the state justice system in Illinois. Below are just a few of the main differences between the two.

The Judges

According to the Constitution, federal judges are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. In most cases, federal judges hold these positions for life. The only exception to this is if they are charged with misconduct in which case, Congress will hold impeachment hearings and determine whether a judge should be removed.

State judges, on the other hand, are elected into their position and they are not guaranteed to hold it for life. If they wish to remain on the bench, they must run for re-election.

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 Posted on December 27, 2019 in White Collar Crime

The FBI has recently broken up a counterfeiting scheme involving fake iPhones and iPads. The scheme was a sophisticated one. Although the devices were fake, they contained the original International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers and serial numbers. These are nearly impossible to counterfeit and usually only appear on original products. The suspects are three brothers that now face a number of counterfeiting charges. Many people think that counterfeiting is a somewhat old crime, but stories like this show it is just as prevalent as ever. So, what are the penalties for it, and are there any defenses to these charges?

The Definition of Counterfeiting Under the Law

Under the law, found at 18 U.S.C.A., Section 471, counterfeiting is defined as intending to defraud, falsely create, forge, counterfeit, or alter any security of the United States. The term ‘security of the United State’ indicates U.S. currency. However, for a bill to be considered counterfeit, the fake must be close enough to real currency that it would fool a reasonable person.

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 Posted on December 20, 2019 in Animal Cruelty

In June 2025, a Virginia hunter was convicted of poisoning more than 20 juvenile bald eagles and red-shouldered hawks by lacing fish heads with carbofuran, a banned pesticide. One eagle was filmed suffering for hours before dying. Despite the scale of the harm, the hunter received only one day in jail, probation, and a fine of nearly $10,000. This raised serious questions about how federal wildlife laws are enforced.

Cases like this remind the public that harming a bald eagle is a federal crime, even if the eagle survives. Violations can lead to hefty fines and prison time. These protections are far from symbolic and are aggressively prosecuted by federal authorities. If you are facing investigation or charges, you should speak with an experienced Chicago, IL federal criminal defense attorney immediately.

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 Posted on December 13, 2019 in Indictment

So, a grand jury has convened and determined that there is enough to indict you. It looks like you are headed to a federal criminal trial and there is no hope for anything else to happen. While it may seem that way, that is not always the case. At this point, you must speak to a federal criminal defense attorney. A federal attorney can advise you on the many options you still have, including those below that could have your case dismissed.

Biased Jury

Under the Fifth Amendment, you have the right to an independent, informed, and unbiased jury. If for any reason, your attorney feels as though the jury was prejudiced in any way, this is a reason for dismissal. For example, if your case is high profile in the area the grand jury was convened in, and the jury was not sequestered, this is enough reason to have your case dismissed.

An Abundant Reliance on Hearsay

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 Posted on December 06, 2019 in Your Rights

Receiving a federal grand jury subpoena is very frightening. You must take action as soon as possible, as the consequences of doing nothing are great. You may not know whether you are the suspect in a criminal case, or if the federal prosecutor wants to speak to you as a witness. Taking action can help clear this up, and make sure you protect yourself. Below are a few tips that will help you do just that.

Contact the United States Attorney’s Office

After you receive your subpoena, there’s a very good chance that the U.S. Attorney’s Office will know much more about the case than you will. You will need to contact them, but it is likely that they will be very reluctant to discuss the case with you, particularly if you are a suspect in a criminal case. This task should be left to a federal criminal defense attorney that will understand how to handle the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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 Posted on November 29, 2019 in Drug Crimes

It was at the end of October when an Illinois woman was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of drug trafficking. The woman was charged with selling drugs through the mail to a man in South Dakota, who later died after using the heroin he had purchased from her. The story is interesting, as many people know that drug trafficking charges are usually tried at the state level. So, what makes drug trafficking a federal crime?

When Trafficking Charges Become Federal

It is true that much of the time, those facing drug trafficking charges will be prosecuted by their own state. If convicted, they will then likely be sentenced to a number of years in state prison. However, there are certain circumstances that could change state trafficking charges to federal charges. These include:

• When the quantity of drugs is exceptionally large
• The arresting officer works for a federal agency

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