The majority of crimes committed in the United States are tried at the state level, however, there are also a handful of serious illegal acts that the federal court system has jurisdiction over. These types of allegations are very serious and, if convicted, may result in a long-term jail sentence, or even the death penalty in some cases. In fact, Oklahoma is one of the leading states in the number of scheduled executions performed, behind only Texas and Virginia.
Since the federal justice system is structured around a different set of laws and procedural rules, the sentencing guidelines are also much different than those at the state level. In many ways, federal crimes are far more complicated than Oklahoma crimes. They are typically investigated more thoroughly and involve complicated legal matters in addition to harsher penalties.
There are a handful of illegal acts that are considered federal crimes, including the following:
- Embezzlement
- Drug charges
- Bank fraud
- Mail fraud
- Tax evasion
- Counterfeiting
- Securities fraud
- Kidnapping
- Terrorism
- Weapons offenses
- Child pornography possession and distribution
- Mortgage fraud
While the above list is far from exhaustive, it gives you an idea of some of the federal crimes committed in the United States.
Below we will go over a few of the most common federal offenses in further detail:
- Firearm Offenses
If you have been previously convicted of a felony, you are restricted by law from having the right to carry or possess a firearm. If you are a felon and are found carrying a weapon, you will be arrested and charged with firearm possession.
- Drug Offenses
Drug crimes are one of the most common offenses prosecuted by the federal system. Whether you are charged with the manufacturing, sale, or transportation of a drug, you will always need the assistance of a criminal defense attorney.
- Fraud
Lastly, corporations and individuals who have been charged with fraud in connection with white collar crimes (such as embezzlement, mortgage fraud, or banking crimes) or illegal business practices may be at risk of jail time and hefty fines. In these cases, offenders are typically charged under the broad racketeering statutes passed by Congress.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a federal crime, please contact AMA Law today. Our Oklahoma lawyers are highly trained and have extensive experience working these types of cases. We will do our best to ensure you receive a fair trial, or if you are wrongly accused, that your slate is wiped clean.