The recipe for Coca-Cola’s syrup. KFC’s 11 secret herbs and spices. WD-40’s formulation. The algorithm to Google’s search engine. The New York Times’ methodology to pick a book for its bestseller list. What do these things have in common? They’re all trade secrets,...
Federal Crimes
The importance of intent in an arson case
It’s hard to overlook the amount of damage a fire can cause. Although fires can start for many reasons, if police arrest an arson suspect at the scene, the suspect may have difficulties denying their involvement. However, their intent can determine how heavy their...
The severity of federal drug crimes
Facing federal drug charges can be life-changing. The steps you take can mean the difference in the outcome of your case. Federal agencies conduct investigations with charges taking the form of federal crimes. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the agency...
What makes an offense a federal crime?
Local laws specifically indicate how to address and approach specific crimes, such as assault or theft. However, some violations require a more widescale process based on their details and severity. Some cases require additional procedures and investigations, usually...
1 common risk factor that leads to federal drug charges
People accused of crimes do not generally get to choose where they face charges. The location of the crime and jurisdiction rules will determine what courts host their trials. Although Texas does have a reputation for being somewhat harsh toward drug offenders, people...
Is there a statute of limitations on federal drug charges?
Imagine the government discovers you manufacture, possess or sell a controlled substance or illegal drug. In that situation, the police can arrest and take you into custody. You could be subject to federal drug charges. In some instances, people commit a drug offense,...
What is white-collar crime?
White-collar crimes are generally defined as financial crimes that do not result in any physical harm. One may think that the government is less likely to push for imprisonment due to the lack of physical harm. This is not true. The government has shown time and time...
Retail businesses can easily be accused of money laundering
Money laundering is different than most other white-collar crimes because it does not deprive a victim of resources. Instead, money laundering involves taking money or assets acquired through illegal activity and falsifying information about its origin. Money...
Human trafficking and forced labor
Certain types of crimes fall under federal jurisdiction for various reasons. Human trafficking is one of those crimes. This offense has two main categories, which are sex trafficking and forced labor. This article provides a general overview of the forced labor...
What must the prosecution prove to convict you of a RICO crime?
RICO is the acronym standing for the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Passed into law by Congress in 1970, its original purpose was to fight organized crime. FindLaw explains, however, that, over the decades, the Act expanded to include 35 separate...