If you've recently found out that you're facing federal criminal charges, then you may feel completely lost. It can be helpful for you to learn more about the differences between the state and federal legal systems, their respective players and what to expect as your case moves toward trial.
What are the collateral consequences of a criminal conviction?
When defendants are facing charges, those who work in the legal system often advise them of the immediate penalties that they face. These include fines, prison time, restitution and supervised release. They don't tell them about all the "collateral consequences" associated with being convicted of a crime.
Mail fraud is defined pretty broadly by federal officials
Of all the different federal offenses that someone can be charged with, mail fraud is perhaps the most common one.
What's a hate crime, and what penalties exist for committing one?
Just this past week, an openly gay African-American actor from the television show Empire was allegedly approached by two pedestrians in Chicago, taunted with racial epithets and homophobic slurs, doused with a chemical and had a rope placed around this neck. Now police are searching for suspects to charge with hate crimes. There are many different types of actions that may fall under the umbrella of this offense.
What is a grand jury and why are their activities secret?
If you've been advised that you're facing federal criminal charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis has likely forwarded you and your attorney a copy of your grand jury indictment as part of a discovery packet.
Judges aren't required to follow federal sentencing guidelines
Federal Sentencing Guidelines are a uniform set of nonbinding rules that all U.S. Attorneys are to use to guide them in making sentencing recommendations in criminal cases. It's ultimately up to the federal judge, however, to use their own discretion to decide how much they want to adhere to them when sentencing a convicted defendant.
Man pleads guilty to wire fraud conspiracy charges in Minneapolis
A 27-year-old California man entered a guilty plea on conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges in a federal courtroom in Minneapolis on Oct. 25. Prior to his plea, he stood accused of having convinced multiple individuals in the Twin Cities area to buy Target gift guards for him as a part of a tax scheme.
Minneapolis postal worker accused of shooting at Federal Reserve
A 43-year-old Minneapolis U.S. Postal Service worker was charged with several crimes in Hennepin County District Court on Wednesday, Aug. 22. He now faces property damage, attempted bodily harm and reckless discharge of a firearm charges.
Oklee man's trial on federal destructive devices charges begins
This past Monday, July 16, the federal trial of a 41-year-old northwestern Minnesota man got underway. He stands accused of possession of unregistered destructive devices.
What is the difference between copyrights and trademarks?
Many businesses, authors and artists are concerned about protecting their intellectual property and turn to federal law to make sure their work is registered. Generally, people in Minnesota understand intellectual property protections take the form of copyrights and trademarks. But what is the difference between these two categories? Although they offer important legal protections for intellectual property, copyrights and trademarks are not one and the same.
