Category Archives: Federal Government Watch
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…
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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…
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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…
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IRS Criminal Investigators in Texas: Special Agents Investigating Federal Financial Felony Crimes
Within the Internal Revenue Service is a special department dedicated to investigating crimes independently of other federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It’s been around since 1919, having been initially known as the IRS’s Intelligence Unit and later becoming today’s IRS Criminal Investigation Department….
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Illegal Reentry into Texas: Crimes Under Federal Statute and Texas Law
There are lots of names for people crossing the border into Texas without authority, including migrants, immigrants, illegals, undocumented noncitizens, illegal entrants. See, “Illegal Alien” Is One of Many Correct Legal Terms for “Illegal Immigrant,” written by Alex Nowrasteh and published by Cato on October 14, 2019. However, the legal terminology pursuant to federal statute…
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SCOTUS, USSC, and Proposed USSG Amendment Addressing Acquitted Conduct
The scenario: someone is charged with a serious crime in federal court. There is no plea deal; the case goes to trial. Both sides rest, and the case goes to the jury. The jury deliberates and returns with a “not guilty” verdict. This is great for the accused, right? Sure. But that verdict is not…
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Xylazine or Tranq: Zombie Drug is New Focus for Drug Arrests in Texas
Drug arrests in Texas that may include other serious charges (like conspiracy or homicide) are known to be fixed upon fentanyl these days; both Texas and federal law enforcement are blatantly targeting fentanyl use as well as its manufacture and distribution. For more, read our earlier discussions in Fentanyl Charges Under Federal Law: Felonies and…
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Cryptocurrency and Money Laundering: Digital Money Felony Arrests
Operation Crypto Runner here in Texas is one example of federal focus on crypto crime. Money mules here in Texas can face very serious felony charges, even if they were unwilling or clueless participants in an illegal scheme that usually involves money laundering. Marks can still get arrested: that is where an experienced criminal defense…
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Policy Changes in Charges, Pleas, and Sentencing for Federal Drug Crime Prosecutions: New AG Garland DOJ Directive
An internal memorandum from the Attorney General of the United States (“AG”) addressed to “all federal prosecutors” may not seem that powerful to some. After all, it isn’t a new federal statute passed by Congress and it isn’t an Executive Order signed by the President. Still, a single memo from the AG can cause major…
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New University of Chicago Study’s Shocking Revelations of Federal Bail Injustice: Systemic Errors and the “Culture of Detention”
Arrests are always serious. After all, individual freedom is taken away. A permanent and public criminal record is created (or grows). Careers can be lost, and relationships can end — just because of an arrest. Experienced criminal defense lawyers have seen all too often how “innocent until proven guilty” may not matter to supervisors, deans,…
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