Federal Crimes

Recent news headlines have been filled with see-sawing sentences for high-profile figures who pleaded guilty or were found guilty of various crimes. The news sheds light on the broad discretion that federal judges have under federal sentencing guidelines. It is also...

Getting caught up in a difficult predicament could happen unexpectedly. It may come as a shock to some California residents to learn that they are under investigation for federal crimes, and they may understandably worry about what that could mean for their future. If...

Certain California legal cases generate substantial publicity and involve people who are well-known or wealthy. Often, these cases are white collar. They can warrant extensive penalties. Such is the case with the ongoing college admissions scandal. One person involved...

Judges in California and throughout the United States may be allowing less than reputable scientific data to be used in their courtrooms. The results of IQ and other tests could be used to determine whether a person is competent to stand trial or is competent to raise...

Nintendo Switch fans in California may be interested to hear about a hacker who pleaded guilty to computer fraud with the popular video game system. The 21-year-old is believed to have gained access to Nintendo Switch developer information with a phishing scam in...

A 42-year-old woman has admitted to stealing mail to obtain confidential information and then using that information to file fraudulent tax returns. The woman entered guilty pleas to single counts of mail theft, wire fraud and filing a false claim in the U.S. District...

Being the subject of a federal criminal investigation is a troubling event. Whether you are fully innocent or realize that you did something afoul of the law, it is imperative that you understand some basic points about a federal investigation. You need to ensure you...

On Jan. 6, a Social Security Administration employee received a 15-month federal prison sentence for fraud. The 36-year-old California woman was accused of stealing $176,015 in Social Security payments while she had access to the beneficiaries' computer records. She...

A California man who ran three financial services companies that offered to help borrowers to reduce their student loan obligations has pleaded guilty to money laundering and wire fraud. The 42-year-old Sonoma County resident faces up to 20 years in a federal prison...

The federal criminal justice system is a bit different from the state system. Defendants in the state system are much more likely to be offered a plea deal than those who are a facing a federal system. Plea deals provide a way for the prosecution to lessen the court's...