Category Archives: Trafficking Charges
What Happens at a Federal Detention Hearing?
A federal detention hearing is where a federal magistrate judge decides, under 18 U.S.C. § 3142, whether you are released on conditions or held in custody until your trial. It is one of the most important early moments in a federal case, because the result often decides whether you fight the charges from home or…
Mandatory Minimum Penalties in Federal Sentencing
To see how often cases like yours resolve by plea or trial, and the median sentences by district and charge, use our plea deal versus trial calculator. Congress Decides Your Prison Sentence with Certain Federal Crimes Our modern system of mandatory minimum sentencing in federal cases arguably began with the passage of the Anti-Drug Abuse…
Drug Manufacture or Delivery in Texas: Things You Need to Know
There are some things, either grown or man-made, that are considered illegal under either state or federal law. In legal lingo, they are called “controlled substances.” Just having them in your possession can get you arrested. However, if you go the next step and try to make money with them, either in the manufacture of…
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…
Thirteen Significant New Texas Criminal Laws Effective in 2023
Arrests in Texas can be based upon actions or investigations by either state or federal authorities or by a combination of the two in joint operations. From a criminal defense standpoint, the choice of law upon which the arrest is made is key. This is because criminal cases move through two entirely independent justice systems…
Alien Smuggling in Texas: Federal Felonies & United States Sentencing Guidelines
The Texas border with Mexico extends 1254 miles. Along this international boundary there are currently 28 bridges and border crossings (including a couple of dams and a hand-drawn ferry) for travel between the two jurisdictions. And of course, there are long stretches of open riverbank along the Rio Grande where the waterway provides a natural…
Overdose Death Investigations: Criminal Defense Considerations – Can the Prosecution Make Their Case?
Fentanyl is fueling more and more law enforcement investigations and criminal prosecutions in Texas for many things including, obviously, felony charges for drug trafficking and money laundering. However, more and more often prosecutors are looking to find ways to charge the accused for a death caused by overdoses involving fentanyl, either used alone or with…
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…
Encryption and Law Enforcement Investigations: Police Access to Encrypted Data
Last month, Apple announced its new end-to-end encryption for data stored by its customers in iCloud, Apple’s cloud storage service. It’s being heralded as “police-proof” in the media. Read, “Apple Set to Launch New, Police-Proof, Full End-to-End Encryption,” written by the Associated Press and published in the Daily Sabah on December 9, 2022. Apple explains…
Jalisco New Generation Cartel Arrests in Texas: 2023
The amount of law enforcement effort at every level (state, federal, international) to try and combat the growing global business empire of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel is undeniably extreme and well-funded. From a criminal defense perspective, few governmental efforts in recent memory have had this zeal and scope. In 2023, we should expect a…
