A federal detention hearing is one of the most consequential proceedings in the early stages of a federal case. It determines whether you will remain in custody for the entire duration of your case. which in federal court can be 6 months to 2 years or longer, or whether you will be released under conditions […]
Federal criminal cases in Texas often hinge on forensic evidence. From DNA analysis and digital data recovery to fingerprint comparison and financial tracing, prosecutors rely heavily on scientific testing to build their case. Federal investigations typically involve agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, or Homeland Security, and the evidence gathered is often detailed and […]
Imagine feeling drunk without drinking a drop of alcohol. Imagine failing a breathalyzer test after eating a plate of pasta. For people living with auto-brewery syndrome (ABS), this is not a hypothetical. It is daily life. Also known as gut fermentation syndrome, ABS is a condition in which microbes in the gastrointestinal tract ferment ordinary […]
In the federal drug prosecution playbook, cooperating witnesses are the most important tool after wiretap evidence. In many cases, they are more important. A cooperating witness is typically a co-defendant or co-conspirator who has agreed to testify for the government in exchange for a reduced sentence and who can provide testimony about the inner workings […]
The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA), 18 U.S.C. §1030, is the primary federal statute used to prosecute computer crimes. Originally enacted in 1986 to address hacking of government and financial institution computers, the CFAA has been amended repeatedly and now covers a broad range of conduct involving unauthorized access to computers and networks. Federal […]
Being charged with a federal crime is serious under any circumstances. But if you are currently on probation or parole, whether state or federal, a new federal charge creates a compounding legal crisis. You are now facing two separate legal proceedings simultaneously: the new federal charges and a potential revocation of your existing supervision. Each […]
Federal mandatory minimum sentences are among the most consequential features of the federal criminal justice system. Unlike the federal Sentencing Guidelines, which are advisory and allow judges to exercise discretion, mandatory minimums are fixed by statute. When a mandatory minimum applies, the judge must impose at least that sentence, regardless of the defendant’s personal circumstances, […]
When someone is accused of a sex crime in Texas, the prosecution’s case often rests on forensic evidence: a DNA match, a digital forensic report, a child’s recorded interview, or a sexual assault examiner’s findings. Prosecutors present this evidence as scientific proof. Juries tend to trust it. But forensic evidence is not infallible. It is […]
If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, pharmacist, hospital administrator, or healthcare business owner, and you have received a target letter from a federal prosecutor, been contacted by FBI or HHS-OIG agents, or learned that colleagues or employees are cooperating with a federal investigation, your career, your freedom, and your ability to practice […]
Federal money laundering investigations are complex, long-running operations that are often well underway before the target has any idea they are being investigated. The government uses financial surveillance tools, bank reporting requirements, and cooperating witnesses to build cases over months or years. By the time you learn you are under investigation, through a target letter, […]