Federal Immigration Conviction Overturned Due to Weak Evidence: Why Strong Legal Representation Matters Now More Than Ever
Federal Immigration Conviction Overturned Due to Weak Evidence: Why Strong Legal Representation Matters Now More Than Ever In a recent case, a federal appeals court reversed the conviction of Wardy Liberato, a Dominican national who had been charged with illegal reentry under 8 U.S.C. § 1326(a). His case serves as a powerful reminder that even in serious federal prosecutions, the government must meet a strict burden of proof—and when they…
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Can Prior Convictions Affect Federal Sentencing Enhancements?
Can Prior Convictions Affect Federal Sentencing Enhancements? In federal criminal cases, prior convictions can significantly impact sentencing outcomes, particularly in cases involving serious offenses. A recent federal court ruling highlights how the legal system approaches mandatory minimum sentencing enhancements when a defendant has prior convictions. This blog explains these enhancements and what they mean for those facing federal charges. Our skilled criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can guide…
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Understanding Presidential and State Pardons: A Path to Second Chances
Understanding Presidential and State Pardons: A Path to Second Chances The recent presidential pardon of President Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, has brought attention to the pardon power and its role in our justice system. In this blog, we’ll explore what pardons mean for those seeking a fresh start and how our law firm can help you navigate this complex process. Our experienced criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can…
Read MoreHow the Government Shutdown is Impacting Federal Criminal Courts
How the Government Shutdown is Impacting Federal Criminal Courts UPDATE: The federal court system now says that it has enough money to sustain operating through January 25. Court fees and other funds as well as cutting back on spending has allowed the court to extend it's original deadline by about two weeks. See the original post below. On December 22, parts of the federal government were shut down due to…
Read MoreSelling Contact Lenses Without a Prescription
Selling Contact Lenses Without a Prescription Halloween stores and other retail outlets sometimes sell over-the-counter contact lenses without a prescription, but many people do not realize this is a crime. According to Alan Barcelona, president of the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association, retail stores illegally selling contact lenses are a common occurrence. 1 Recently, investigators from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) teamed…
Read MoreDifferences Between Federal Court and California State Court
Differences Between Federal Court and California State Court If you are arrested for violating a law, you probably assume you will have to appear at your local county superior court. However, that is not always the case. If you are being charged with violating federal statute, your case will be heard in a federal court. This may sound scary, and it can be because you are likely facing a more…
Read MoreWhat You Should Do if Charged with Aiding and Abetting
What You Should Do if Charged with Aiding and Abetting If you are ever contacted or arrested by federal agents on suspicion of a crime, the first thing you need to do is contact a federal criminal lawyer immediately. The federal criminal justice system is very complex, and it can be overwhelming for a person accused of violating federal statute. Unfortunately, you could be charged with a crime even if you didn't actually commit the…
Read MoreCornering the Market: The Crime of Price Fixing (15 U.S.C. Section 1)
Cornering the Market: The Crime of Price Fixing (15 U.S.C. Section 1) Competition is part of the foundation of our economy, which is why Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890. The law was designed to prevent collusion between competitors and break up business monopolies that controlled the market. To this day, it is illegal to create any type of conspiracy between parties on the same side of the…
Read MoreConsequences of Pirating Copyrighted Material (17 U.S.C. § 506; 18 U.S.C. § 2319)
Consequences of Pirating Copyrighted Material (17 U.S.C. § 506; 18 U.S.C. § 2319) Whenever you’ve popped a movie into your DVD player, you probably remember seeing the stern warning and label from the FBI about the consequences of violating Federal Anti-Piracy laws: “The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by…
Read MoreHow Tampering with Witnesses or Evidence Can Lead to Serious Charges
How Tampering with Witnesses or Evidence Can Lead to Serious Charges If you are being investigated for a federal crime, you may be driven to try to destroy evidence or influence witnesses in your case. However, doing so will only make your situation worse and strengthen the case against you. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, your attorney should be the one building a strong defense on your…
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