Federal Violent Crimes
Most violent crimes are state offenses. A case becomes federal when it involves federal property, federal officials, interstate activity, or a connection to another federal crime. Bank robbery can be federal. Hobbs Act robbery (robbery affecting interstate commerce) is federal. Assault on a federal officer is federal. A murder committed during a drug conspiracy might be federal.
Federal violent-crime prosecutions are aggressive. The investigators are agents—FBI, ATF, DEA— with extensive resources. The penalties are severe, and in cases involving death, the federal death penalty remains available.
Firearms charges
Violent federal cases often carry firearms enhancements. Section 924(c) of title 18 imposes a mandatory consecutive sentence for using, carrying, or possessing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime: five years for possession, seven for brandishing, ten for discharge, and thirty years for a second offense. These sentences stack on top of the underlying conviction and cannot run concurrently.
Felon-in-possession charges under section 922(g) carry up to fifteen years. If the defendant has three prior violent-felony or serious-drug-offense convictions, the Armed Career Criminal Act imposes a fifteen-year mandatory minimum.
RICO and racketeering
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act allows the government to prosecute patterns of criminal activity connected to an enterprise. RICO charges carry up to twenty years per count and often involve extensive forfeiture. These cases are complex, document-heavy, and typically involve multiple defendants.
Talk to us
We also defend state violent-crime cases. If you have been convicted, we handle appeals.
713-224-1747.