Under President Trump, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has significantly realigned its enforcement priorities, focusing on issues that impact national security, violent crime, and economic integrity. While many of the same laws remain in place, the m…
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In today’s digital age, evidence collected from computers, smartphones, and other electronic devices increasingly plays a significant role in criminal prosecutions. While digital evidence is often presented as highly reliable, it can be manipulated…
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On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Kousisis v. United States, finding that a defendant who induces a victim to enter into a transaction under materially false pretenses can be convicted of federal fraud, even if the def…
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Money laundering is a serious crime that involves any deposit, withdrawal or transfer of illegally derived monies. The consequences of a federal money laundering charge can be severe and may include hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, restitut…
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Plea bargaining plays a key role in federal criminal cases. Nationwide, more than 95% of federal cases are resolved through plea bargaining. Understanding how a federal plea agreement works is crucial for anyone charged with a crime in federal court.…
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In April, the US Sentencing Commission delivered to Congress its annual proposed amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Although the Guidelines have been considered advisory only since the US Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in US v. Booker,…
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On June 26, 2024, the US Supreme Court announced its decision in Snyder vs. United States, ruling that 18 USC §666 criminalizes quid pro quo bribery before an act, but does not apply to gifts given after the fact in appreciation of an act that has a…
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On June 27, 2024, the US Supreme Court issued its highly anticipated decision in Securities and Exchange Commission v. Jarkesy, finding that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) could not impose civil penalties in an enforcement action becaus…
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When someone is arrested and charged with a crime, they are taken into custody while awaiting trial. In many cases, a defendant can be released from custody while waiting for their trial date. To request pretrial release in federal court, the crimina…
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The Federal Court Rules of Evidence control the admissibility of evidence in a federal case. The decision as to whether or not certain evidence is admitted can mean the difference between a Guilty verdict and your freedom. By carefully analyzing evid…
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