There are actually 52 court systems in the United States: the 50 state systems, the federal system, and the local court system in the District of Columbia. The supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution requires that federal law trumps any…
CRIMINAL JURISDICTION
Criminal Jurisdiction:
A Criminal Law Blog from a Defense Perspective
2016
Category: Espionage | Federal Criminal Law
The ugly mood of war gripped the nation on April 2, 1917 when President Woodrow Wilson sought from the U.S. Congress a declaration of war against Germany. Senator Charles Culberson of Texas and Representative Edwin Webb of North Carolina responded…
2016
The current presidential election campaign has awakened the racial divide in this country. And it’s not a pretty sight. The latest example of this divide is the controversy swirling around the “fist salute” given by 16 graduating African-American female cadets…
2016
Category: Cyber Crimes | Internet Sex Crimes | terrorism
Let us make one thing clear: law enforcement does not, nor will it ever, respect an individual’s right to privacy. The police in this country, and throughout the world, believe they have an inherent right—one rooted in the need to…
2016
Category: Criminal Law | DWI
Currently pending before the Supreme Court are consolidated cases from Minnesota and North Dakota—under the title of Birchfield v. North Dakota—that could significantly change the way states deal with suspected drunk drivers.
The question before the Court is this:…
2016
Category: Federal Criminal Law | federal Sentencing | Weapon Crimes
The Armed Career Criminal Act of 1984 (“ACCA”) is the federal equivalent of the “three strikes” or “repeat offender” laws now in place in at least 28 states in this country. The ACCA was enacted during the Reagan administration which…
2016
Category: Sex Crimes
There are more than 87,000 registered sex offenders in the State of Texas. Registration requirements in Texas are strict. Sex offenders are required by law to provide the public with virtually every aspect of their personal life: Social Security number,…
2016
You know there is a need for “reform” when all sides of the political spectrum join forces in demanding it. The staggering expense of incarceration has compelled both liberal and conservative elected officials and advocacy groups to stand together in…
2016
Category: Fraud | Money Laundering
The federal government last month indicted eleven operators of alleged “brothels” in New York City.
Charged with conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and money laundering, the federal indictment filed on April 13 in the Southern District of New…
2016
Category: Federal Criminal Law | federal Sentencing | Immigration Crimes
Federal sentencing is a complex process.
The U.S. Supreme Court on April 20, 2016 was forced to confront a conflict among the federal circuits in their review of federal sentences. Their decision was handed down in the case of…