Now that the Johnny Depp versus Amber Heard verdict has been handed down by the court, many people have asked the same question: Did Amber Heard commit perjury? Many people use terms like “lying under oath,” and “perjury,” but few understand exactly what they mean. Perjury is a federal criminal offense prohibited by multiple federal statutes. Anyone accused of perjury or another federal offense should contact a federal criminal defense attorney right away to get legal advice for their particular situation.

Swearing to Tell the Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth

Individuals who provide testimony in court are required to “tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” Being sworn in binds a person to honesty. Telling a lie on the witness stand is not like lying elsewhere. Lying under oath is a serious criminal offense because it undermines the justice system.

Lying or making false statements in court is not always perjury. Perjury occurs when a lie is told while under oath. Furthermore, perjury only includes false statements. Refusing to answer a question or remaining silent is not perjury. You cannot face perjury charges because of something you did not say. However, refusing to provide information or answer a question may potentially lead to contempt of court charges or other adverse consequences.

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.

Hate crimes are often violent offenses like assault or murder. However, threats of violence, arson, vandalism, and other offenses may also be considered hate crimes. Conspiracy to commit a hate crime can also lead to federal criminal charges.

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.

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:

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. 

Why Are Federal Charges More Serious Than State Charges?

There are a number of reasons that you should be more concerned about federal charges than state charges. For many white-collar offenders, a federal prosecution is their first interaction with the criminal justice system. A few things you should know about your federal charges include: 

• Less discretion - At the state level, prosecutors have significant discretion in negotiating plea bargains. It is common for more serious offenses to be reduced or eliminated in the interest of avoiding a trial. State judges also have significant discretion in sentencing. Unless an offense carries a mandatory minimum sentence, there is a chance that a state judge will use alternative sentencing, like probation or house arrest. Federal judges, however, are bound by strict sentencing guidelines so you are less likely to avoid prison time. 

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