» Sentencing and Appeals
What to Expect in a Federal Criminal Case
February 18th, 2021
Facing criminal charges in federal court is intimidating and scary. Any criminal case, and a federal criminal case, in particular, is complicated. It can be helpful and reassuring to understand how a criminal case works, and what to expect. If you be…
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US vs. Razzouk: Second Circuit Addresses the Mandatory Victims Restitution Act
January 13th, 2021
In 2011, Sassine Razzouk pled guilty and was convicted of accepting bribes in violation of 18 U.S.C. §666(a)(1)(B) and three counts of tax evasion in violation of 26 U.S.C. §7201. Razzouk was accused of manipulating contractor bidding systems while…
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USA v. Huberfeld: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
October 13th, 2020
Sentence Vacated Following Improper Application of Federal Sentencing Guidelines In United States v. Huberfeld, 2nd Cir. No. 19-436(L), the Second Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a 30-month prison sentence and a $19 million order of restitution in a…
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Drug Quantity Proof / Evidence at Sentencing
In United States v. Rowe, No. 18-1192 (Apr. 2, 2019), the Third Circuit vacated the defendant’s conviction for distribution and possession with intent to distribute 1,000 grams of heroin because the government failed to prove that he distribute…
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No Requirement of Actual Harm for Vulnerable Victim Enhancement
September 29th, 2016
In United States v. Adeolu, No. 14-3610, 2016 WL 4728003, the Third Circuit held that the vulnerable victim enhancement at U.S.S.G. § 3A1.1(b)(1), does not require actual harm to the victim, only a nexus between the victim’s vulnerability and the…
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Federal Defense Attorney Hope Lefeber Discusses Recent Third Circuit Opinions
July 28th, 2014
Third Circuit Spring Recap U.S. v. Velazquez, 749 F.3d 161 (3d Cir. 2014) In U.S. v. Velazquez, the Third Circuit ruled that the government’s minimal efforts to apprehend Velazquez violated his Sixth Amendment right to a speedy trial. In 2005, the…
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Supreme Court Hears Arguments On Whether Police Need Search Warrant for Cellphones
April 29th, 2014
In a major test of how to interpret the Fourth Amendment and privacy rights in the digital age, the Supreme Court heard arguments today about whether the police need warrants to search the cellphones of the people they arrest. The courts have long al…
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Categories: Drug Crimes, Federal Law, Federal Violations and Crimes, Fourth Amendment, Fraud, Government Fraud, Search and Seizure, Securities, Sentencing and Appeals, Tax, White Collar Crimes
Tags: Acquittal, Drug Crimes, Evidence, federal charges, Fourth Amendment, Fraud, health care, Hope C. Lefeber, Hope Lefeber, Insurance Fraud, Mail and Wire Fraud, money laundering, Mortgage Fraud, New York City criminal defense lawyer or attorney, not guilty, philadelphia defense attorney, Possession With Intent To Deliver, Search and Seizure, Securities, white collar crime, White Collar Crimes
Prosecutorial Misconduct
February 25th, 2014
The U.S. Supreme Court has granted review in a murder case where Virginia prosecutors hid exculpatory evidence and defied a federal judge in a death-penalty case. This could be a pivotal moment for the enforcement of the “Brady Rule.” The case, W…
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Categories: Drug Crimes, Federal Law, Federal Violations and Crimes, Fourth Amendment, Fraud, Government Fraud, Search and Seizure, Securities, Sentencing and Appeals, Tax, White Collar Crimes
Tags: Acquittal, Drug Crimes, Due process, federal jury, Federal Sentencing, Fraud, Hope C. Lefeber, Hope Lefeber, Insurance Fraud, Mail and Wire Fraud, money laundering, New York City criminal defense lawyer or attorney, Possession With Intent To Deliver, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Securities, Specific Intent Crimes, structuring, white collar crime, White Collar Crimes
What are the Recently Proposed Changes to the Federal Drug Trafficking Sentences?
January 15th, 2014
While the proposition is a step in the right direction by reducing the overly draconian federal drug guidelines, it does nothing to correct the statutory mandatory minimum sentences, which result in the greatest injustice.
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What Makes A Good Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer?
December 9th, 2013
What Makes a Great Trial Lawyer? LawCrossing.com asked “What makes a great trial lawyer?” and Hope C. Lefeber weighed in. What are the two crucial traits to succeed in the courtroom? Lefeber says it’s passion and amazing communication skills. …
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Categories: Drug Crimes, Federal Law, Federal Violations and Crimes, Fourth Amendment, Fraud, Government Fraud, Search and Seizure, Securities, Sentencing and Appeals, Tax, White Collar Crimes
Tags: Acquittal, Drug Crimes, Due process, federal jury, Federal Sentencing, Fraud, health care, Hope Lefeber, Insurance Fraud, Mail and Wire Fraud, money laundering, not guilty, philadelphia defense attorney, Possession With Intent To Deliver, Securities, Specific Intent Crimes, structuring, tax crimes, white collar crime, White Collar Crimes
