» Federal Law

A statue of the blindfolded lady justice in front of the United States Supreme Court building - federal investigative agencies concept

What Agencies Are Responsible for Investigating Federal Crimes?

The overwhelming majority of crimes in the United States are investigated and prosecuted by state agencies. But crimes that cross state lines or involve violations of federal laws are investigated by the Department of Justice and its federal investig… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
State Capitol building

How Does the Jurisdiction of State and Federal Court Differ?

When the United States was founded in 1776, tension existed between the federal and state governments regarding power, the ability to tax, and control of the courts and legal systems. This tension continues today and is evident in the separate jurisd… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
US Securities and Exchange Commission building exterior - sec insider trading rules concept

SEC Approves New Insider Trading Rules

In December 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted unanimously to adopt amendments to rule 10b5-1 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. The changes are intended to address concerns about insider trading abuse by executives bas… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
Pfizer logo on the side of a store - Pfizer kickback lawsuit concept

Pfizer’s Supreme Court Appeal Over Anti-Kickback Lawsuit

In October 2022, Pfizer filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court seeking to overturn a decision regarding the anti-kickback lawsuit which prohibited Pfizer from providing financial assistance to Medicare beneficiaries to obtain Vyndaqel… Read More
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Close up shot of Bitcoin and alt coins cryptocurrency - crypto regulation concept

SEC Crypto Regulations

As cryptocurrencies and other digital assets increase in popularity, questions will continue to arise as to which federal agency will be primarily responsible for regulating them. Because of the popularity of crypto and digital assets, the federal go… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
Close up photo of the Snapchat app - Spoliation of evidence concept

Spoliation of Evidence: Ephemeral Messaging

Popular ephemeral messaging apps like Snapchat, Confide, Wickr, and Threema are changing the way we communicate. Unlike traditional text and messaging applications, these apps provide encryption, screenshot protection, data storage, and automatic con… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
2021 IRS tax forms - false statements concept

False Statements Must Be Material In Order To Constitute A Crime

A Maryland man sentenced to 32 months in prison had his conviction overturned because his false statements in a federal court case did not influence the judge’s decision. The appellate court found that, while the defendant’s conduct wasted public… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
A bottle of pills is tipped on its side, spilling onto a glass-top desk with stethoscope and clip board in the background - doctors prescribing opioids concept

Supreme Court Sides With Doctors Prescribing Opioids

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous opinion in favor of two doctors accused of overprescribing opioids, raising the standard of proof the government must meet to secure a conviction in “pill mill” cases. The case defines the standa… Read More
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Categories: Drug Crimes, Federal Law
FBI Seal at headquarters - warrantless searches at the FBI concept

Rise in Warrantless Searches at the FBI

In late April of 2022, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its Annual Statistical Transparency Report Regarding the Intelligence Community’s Use of National Security Surveillance Authorities – Calendar Year 2021. T… Read More
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Categories: Federal Law
Silhouette shadows of business people talking in office - trade secret theft concept

3rd Circuit Ruling on Trade Secret Theft Case

Government Must Prove Intent to Cause Actual Loss In an August 2, 2022, decision by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, the court found that two defendants who admitted to stealing intellectual property and trade secrets from London-based pharmaceutica… Read More
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