Category Archives: Federal Government Watch
The Job of the U.S. Marshal: Arrest & Detention on Federal Matters in Texas
There are times when the U.S. Marshals Service will not share any information with loved ones after an initial arrest here in Texas. When a sealed warrant or sealed indictment is involved, all the family will know is their loved one has been arrested. That’s it. For more detail, read What You Don’t Know Can…
The Mandatory Federal Detention Provisions in the Laken Riley Act
Earlier this year, the Laken Riley Act became federal law. Many are concerned or confused about this new federal legislation. Specifically, the Act’s mandatory federal detention provisions. What about undocumented persons? Visa holders? DACA people? Who can be detained if charged with theft or a violent act? Consider the following: 1. The 2025 Laken Riley…
Wrong House Raid: Will FBI Be Held Liable for Damages by SCOTUS in Martin?
The increasing reliance on technology as well as mistakes in identifying the proper person before taking action by law enforcement are two growing concerns for more false arrests and even false imprisonment from the perspective of criminal defense attorneys. Right now, SCOTUS is considering a significant case rooted in civil injury law but with resounding…
Things To Know If You Get a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena In Texas
Federal grand juries are actively on the job all around the State of Texas during the year. How many are convened; where they are meeting; what they are doing; and who sets as jurors on all these grand juries is not known. For safety reasons, grand juries operate under a mysterious veil of secrecy. Read,…
How Prosecutors Try to Maximize Punishment: Aggravating Factors in Federal Sentencing
October 2024 USSC Primer Provides Guidance on Application of USSG §3B1.1 It’s all about the trial if you watch movies, TV shows, or YouTube true crime podcasts. But that’s not reality for those facing federal felony charges. Evidentiary sentencing hearings are a huge battleground for most federal defendants. Criminal lawyers defending people who are being…
Aggravated Identity Theft: Federal Crimes and Mandatory Punishments
The basic federal felony criminal statute defining “identity theft” has been on the books for over twenty-five years, but it didn’t take long for lawmakers to decide it wasn’t enough. A new and more serious criminal charge was argued as necessary within six years of its passage. The result was Congress enacting the 2004 Identity…
Federal Financial Instrument Fraud: Felony Credit Card Crimes
Banking is big business around the world but it is particularly important here in Texas, where Governor Abbott recently announced on X that the State of Texas enjoys the 10th largest economy in the world (yes, the WORLD). For most of us, Big Banking translates into our checking and savings accounts alongside our credit cards,…
The Federal Criminal Justice System: After Arrest, From Arraignment to Sentencing
All too often, experienced federal criminal defense attorneys have clients and their loved ones reeling from coming into contact with a federal agent or investigator; getting a federal summons; or even being arrested on federal felony charges. It’s a stunning blow for many people, especially doctors, health care providers, bankers, and other white-collar professionals, to…
How Things Progress: Tips to Investigation to Arrest and Prosecution in an IRS Criminal Investigation
Violation of federal tax law is investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS CI”) and both business entities as well as individuals here in Texas may come involved with the Division’s Special Agents in several ways. Sometimes, paths cross as the IRS CI is gathering facts and data and the…
Tax Crimes: Known Focus Areas for IRS Taxpayer Criminal Investigations
An increase in federal criminal prosecutions involving alleged federal tax crimes and corresponding violations of federal criminal statutes is expected by many here in Texas, including experienced federal criminal defense lawyers. For details, read our discussion of the May 2024 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Strategic Operating Plan in IRS Summons Form 2039: Federal Criminal Defense…
