If you’re facing federal charges anywhere in the Commonwealth of Virginia, it’s important that you obtain solid legal representation. By calling a Richmond federal criminal lawyer, you can work with a knowledgeable legal advocate dedicated to protecting your rights.
It can be intimidating to be the subject of a federal investigation or to be indicted on federal charges. However, there is no reason to panic. A skilled and effective federal criminal lawyer can successfully challenge the US government’s case, helping defendants avoid conviction or minimize sentencing.
It is important to act quickly and consult a Richmond federal criminal lawyer as soon as you suspect that you are under investigation. Typically, federal investigations begin long before the subjects become aware of them. If you believe that the federal government has already begun building its case; do not delay in building yours.
Many crimes which may be prosecuted by the Commonwealth of Virginia can also be prosecuted as federal crimes. What makes something a federal offense rather than a state crime are the factors that give the United States government jurisdiction over the case.
For example, if an offense takes place on federal property, if it is interstate or multi-state in nature, if it involves a federally-insured financial institution, or if it involves a federal agency or an organization receiving federal funds, it will likely be prosecuted by United States Attorneys in federal court.
Richmond is part of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In addition to Richmond, the Eastern District federal courthouses are located in Alexandria, Newport News, and Norfolk.
White collar crimes including identity theft, fraud, and embezzlement are some of the most frequently prosecuted federal offenses.
Embezzlement, or misappropriating funds or property to which one is entrusted, is described and penalized in 29 statutes under Title 18 Chapter 31 of the United States Code. Fraud, another commonly prosecuted federal white collar crime, is defined generally and under dozens of specific statutes pertaining to a designated type of fraud.
Federal fraud charges include but are not limited to the following acts of deception:
Often, acts of fraud may be prosecuted under several federal statutes. For example, a person who falsifies information or makes a material misrepresentation on a loan application mailed to a bank may face both mail fraud charges and bank fraud charges.
There are more than 30 statutes against fraud found in Title 18 Chapter 47 of the United States Code, as well as various other laws prohibiting specific types of fraud. This is why it’s important to work with a Richmond federal criminal lawyer who is familiar in these particular white collar statutes and the associated defense strategies.
The federal government’s general fraud statute, found in 18 U.S. Code 1001 prescribes a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison for fraud or false statements. However, the penalties vary greatly depending on the type of fraud with which a defendant is charged. Bank fraud (18 U.S. Code 1344), for example, carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison making contact with a Richmond federal criminal lawyer imperative as soon as you think you are being charged.
With the involvement of the internet in the distribution and download of child pornography, it is not uncommon for these cases to have an interstate nature that allows the crime to fall under federal jurisdiction. The first thing to do when charged with any federal child pornography offense is to contact a Richmond federal criminal lawyer.
By federal definition, child pornography involves sexually explicit images of minors under the age of 18. This is important to note because the age of consent in Virginia is only 15. This means that while a minor may be able to legally consent to engaging in sexual intercourse, he or she is unable to consent to being photographed or recorded in a state of undress or engaging in sexual activity.
The primary federal statutes pertaining to child pornography are 18 U.S. Codes 2251 and 2252, involving the sexual exploitation of children and materials involving the sexual exploitation of minors.
In general, transporting, distributing, selling, or receiving child pornography is punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison, but depending on the individual factors of the case, the penalties may be much more severe.
White collar crimes, sex crimes, interstate drug trafficking, and conspiracy are only a few of the types of crimes that may be prosecuted as federal offenses. If you are investigated by the FBI, the IRS, the DEA, Homeland Security, or other federal agency, you must act quickly to protect yourself by hiring a Richmond federal criminal lawyer who can preserve your rights and pursue your defense. We can help. Call to schedule your risk-free case evaluation.
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