Florida Federal Crimes Attorney in Naples, Florida 

Fight for Your Future with the Help of 150+ Years of Experience 

Despite the fact that federal crimes can range from minor misdemeanors to life felonies, every one of these offenses is regarded as a serious manner within the nation. If you are facing charges for crimes on a federal level, you will be facing the full force of the U.S. government. 

Here at Musca Law, our combined 150+ years of combined legal experience guarantees a secure lineup of quality services you can use to fight for the best possible outcome. We devote tremendous amounts of time and provide invaluable resources for each of our clients and are prepared to defend their rights to the full extent possible. With our help, your chances of creating a strong defense are extremely high. 

For more information, call (239) 793-5297 to speak to a representative at our office in Naples, Florida. 

What is a Federal Crime? 

Overall, identifying the differences between federal and state crimes is relatively easy. Simply put, a governmental body has created the law that has been broken. For example, cases involving rape or public safety violations may be sent to local, state, or federal court. As the title suggests, “federal crimes” is a term that designates a violation of federal law, which will ultimately be sent before a federal judge and court, particularly if the culprit(s) pose a severe risk towards the safety of the public or nation. 

Here is a closer look at some examples of federal crimes recognized by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): 

  • Counterintelligence crimes
  • Corruption of the public 
  • Cyber crimes
  • Immigration crimes
  • Organized criminal activity 
  • Terrorism
  • Theft of valuable items (i.e. art, jewelry, etc.) 
  • Threats against government officials 
  • Violent crimes
  • Violations of civil rights 
  • White-collar crimes 

Which Organizations Handle Federal Crimes? 

If a person, group, or organization has committed a federal crime, one or more of the following agencies will investigate any of the aforementioned violations: 

  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosive 
  • Department of Veterans Affairs 
  • Drug Enforcement Administration 
  • Environmental Protection Agency 
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 
  • Fish and Wildlife Service 
  • Health and Human Services 
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) 
  • Internal Revenue Services  (IRS)
  • U.S. Marshals Service 
  • U.S. Postal Inspection Service 
  • U.S. Secret Service 

The List of Federal Crimes and Ensuing Punishments 

To review the full list of federal crimes that may be reviewed by our government, be sure to read the official lineup featured on the website for the Code of the United States House of Representatives, set in place by the United States government. 

Acts of Terrorism in Florida 

As dictated by the Code of the U.S. House of Representatives Title 18, Chapter 113B-Section 2331 (1), acts of terrorism are divided into two subtypes: 

  • International terrorism constitutes acts of violence that put human lives at risk and break the laws set by the United States government (if such crimes are committed within the jurisdiction of the national government). 
  • Domestic terrorism constitutes acts of violence that put human lives at risk beyond the jurisdiction of the U.S. government or any of the 50 states. 

According to Chapter 113B-Section 2231 (a-c), any person who has committed an act of terrorism (of either variety) will face a number of criminal charges, depending on the severity of the offense: 

  • Homicide: Any culprit who murders a U.S. citizen beyond the border of America will potentially be charged with a fine, a life sentence, and/or the death penalty. 
  • Conspiracy to commit homicide: Any person who attempts to murder a citizen of the United States will face fines and a 20-year-to-life prison sentence. 
  • Physical violence: Any person who physically attacks and inflicts bodily harm on a citizen of the United States will be fined and be imprisoned for 10 years. 

Counterintelligence Crimes in the State of Florida 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) defines counterintelligence crimes as activities that involve the sharing of sensitive information with foreign intelligence services or an attempt to carry out this activity. 

For example, here is a layout of charges for acts of federal espionage, as dictated by U.S. Code Title 18-Chapter 37: 

  • Chapter 37-Section 792: People who harbor fugitives (individuals who have already committed or are preparing to commit one or more acts of espionage) will be charged with a fine and will face a 10-year prison sentence. 
  • Chapter 37-Section 793: People who collect information that can be used in a harmful away against the United States government and/or can be used to the advantage of a foreign body, country, or nation will be charged with a fine and will be sent to prison for a 10-year period (if the individual in question forfeits). In keeping with the sentence, the culprits will be forced to turn the information over to federal agents. 

What Constitutes a Violation of Civil Rights? 

According to the definition provided by the FBI, a violation of civil rights constitutes any perceived verbal and/or physical threat against the safety of people on the basis of different skin colors, races, religions, genders, sexual preferences, and/or additional rights of United States citizens. The U.S. House of Representatives sets punishments for civil rights offenses in Title 18 Chapter 13 of the U.S. Code: 

  • Chapter 13-Section 241: If at least two people make an attempt to physically harm or threaten a resident of any region under the jurisdiction of America (U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, possession, or district) in an attempt to violate civil rights, these people will be fined or sentenced to prison. Courts may consider the death penalty as a form of punishment.  
  • Chapter 13-Section 249: Any person who attacks a person out of hatred for this person’s religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or additional civil rights and inflicts harm via blunt force or deadly weapon will be fined and punished with a 10-year prison sentence. 

Committing an Extortion Crime

Overall, the FBI recognizes white-collar crimes as severe offenses that occur in business or corporate sectors of the United States. Common varieties of these crimes include extortion (sharing private information with another group) and fraud (falsifying information). People who commit these crimes may be punished in one of several ways, as indicated in U.S. Code Title 18 Chapter 41: 

  • Chapter 41-Section 873: Any person who demands money via threats of informing will face fines and a prison sentence that does not exceed 1 year. 
  • Chapter 41-Section 874: Any person who forces a fellow employee (in a specific type of business or line of corporate work) to hand over earnings that this victim has rightfully earned as part of an employment contract will be charged with a fine and face a prison sentence that does not exceed a period of 5 years. 
  • Chapter 41-Section 876: Any person who sends communication via mail that threatens a victim’s well-being, potential kidnapping, or any sort of bodily harm will face a fine and prison sentence ranging from 5 to 10 (possibly 20) years. 

Threatening, Abusing, and/or Harming Children in Florida 

Ultimately, crimes against children constitute a variety of offenses that are directed toward individuals who are under the age of 18. These violations may include child pornography, sexual exploitation, selling children, buying children, and child abuse. Here is a closer look at some serious crimes against children and subsequent punishments laid out in U.S. Code, Title 18, Chapter 110:

  • Chapter 110-Section 2251: Any person (including parents and guardians) who tries to persuade, entice, encourage, force, or coerce any child into a sexual act will be punished with a fine (in accordance with the offense) and will potentially face a 15-year prison sentence. People who participate in the development of child pornography will face a 20-year prison sentence, while multiple offenders will be sent to jail for 35 years to life. 
  • Chapter 110-Section 2251A: Any parent or guardian who sells children or attempts to sell one or more children for the purpose of sexual exploitation or child pornography will face a fine and a jail sentence that does not exceed 30 years. 

Meanwhile, Chapter 110-Section 2258 dictates that people who fail to report any incidences that involve child abuse will also face fines and will be sent to jail for no longer than 1 year. 

Committing an Act of Robbery or Burglary 

The FBI defines robbery and burglary as acts of organized crime, a violation that was organized and carried out by networks of people who make up a criminal hierarchy. U.S. Code Title 18 Chapter 103 dictates that individuals who rob or burglarize property (as part of organized crime) will be punished in the following ways: 

  • Chapter 103-Section 2112: Any person who attempts to steal private property of U.S. citizens will be sent to prison for a period that does not exceed 15 years. 
  • Chapter 103-Section 2113: Any person who attempts to use violent tactics or intimidation techniques in an effort to take property protected by a bank will be fined and imprisoned for a period that does not exceed 20 years. If these conspirators try to steal more than $1,000 of the bank’s money, they will be fined and face a 10-year prison sentence. If the culprits committed murder, they will face a life sentence. 
  • Chapter 103-Section 2119: People whose intent is to inflict bodily harm or to kill a U.S. citizen in an attempt to steal a vehicle will be fined and face a prison sentence that does not exceed 15 years. Criminals who physically injure the victim will be sent to prison for 25 years. In the event that a murder takes place, the culprit could face the death penalty. 

Membership in a Criminal Gang  

The Safe Streets Task Force and the National Gang Intelligence Center assist the FBI in the enforcement of safety on streets and works hard to fight criminal gangs in the United States. By using the information provided by the NGIC, the FBI collects federal, state, and local data covering gang activity (including racketeering and organized crimes). In accordance with Title 18 Chapter 26 Section 521, here is a closer look at how culprits associated with criminal gangs are punished. 

  • People who take part in juvenile delinquency crimes or commit controlled substance felonies (by means of membership in a criminal street gang) will potentially face a 10-year period of imprisonment. If only 1 controlled substance crime has taken place, the prison time will be reduced to no more than 5 years. 

Punishment for Acts of Homicide 

U.S. Code Title 18 Chapter 51 defines homicide as any violent act that results in the illegal killing of an innocent victim (or multiple victims) who are residents of the U.S. Here are some more details: 

  • Chapter 51-Section 1111: Any person who commits 1st-degree murder will be punished with life in prison or (potentially) the death penalty. Likewise, any person who commits 2nd-degree murder will be punished for life (or an unlimited amount of time). 
  • Chapter 51-Section 1112: People who commit an act of voluntary manslaughter will face a fine and will be sent to prison for no longer than 15 years. People who have been charged with involuntary manslaughter will be fined and punished with an 8-year prison sentence. 

Keep the following definitions to mind: 

  • Murder refers to any intent to kill another human being. 
  • Manslaughter refers to the illegal killing of a person without the intent of murder. 

Creating a Defense for a Federal Crime Case 

Based on documents provided by the United States Department of Justice, the defendant may suggest that he/she did not voluntarily commit the crime in question if he/she can supply viable evidence that proves this point (without any doubt). Furthermore, an individual can admit to taking part in a crime after a governmental member grants authority. 

Get Your Life Back on Track with Musca Law

Our Florida federal crimes attorneys at Musca Law are prepared to uphold your rights and aggressively fight for a satisfactory outcome for your future. We have served numerous clients who face serious federal charges, often being able to win them reduced or dismissed charges. No matter what situation you face, we have the experience to help you regain a sense of confidence and self-worth. Don’t hesitate to contact our Naples office today at (239) 793-5297 to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation with one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys. 

Get your case started by calling us at (888) 484-5057 today!