Fort Lauderdale Interstate Crimes Attorney
Experienced Criminal Attorney Serving Fort Lauderdale, Miami & West Palm Beach
When any alleged criminal offense crosses state lines, expect that the FBI or some other federal agency may swoop in and take over the investigation and prosecution of the case. A simple matter that otherwise would have been handled by local police and county prosecutors is now a federal matter, bringing down the weight, resources and hammer of the federal government. If you’ve been arrested and charged with an interstate offense, you need the advice and support of an experienced and successful federal criminal trial lawyer. In Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Miami or West Palm Beach, call Bruce L. Udolf, P.A., to review your case with an experienced Fort Lauderdale interstate crimes attorney consistently ranked as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in South Florida.
What are some of the Most Common Interstate Crimes?
Any offense which crosses state lines can technically be considered an interstate crime. Also, the U.S. Congress has enacted many criminal laws based on its power under the “commerce clause” of the U.S. Constitution, which gives Congress the ability to pass laws on issues affecting interstate commerce. Some of the most common and serious interstate crimes include:
Kidnapping – Kidnapping is generally defined as taking a person from one place to another against their will. When a person is transported across state lines in this process, kidnapping is a federal offense.
Drug Trafficking – Drug trafficking is broadly defined under federal law to cover any offense involving the illegal manufacture, import, export, distribution or dispensing of a controlled substance or counterfeit substance. It is not uncommon for drug trafficking charges to allege that state lines or even international borders were crossed in connection with the crime.
Human Trafficking – Also known as human smuggling, human trafficking may include sex trafficking (pimping, prostitution) or any transportation of another person across state lines for labor or services through the use of force, fraud or coercion, in order to subject the person to involuntary servitude or slavery. The classic definition of human trafficking for prostitution can be found in the Mann Act, also known as the White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, which outlaws the transporting of a woman or girl across state lines for immoral purposes.
Trafficking in Computer Passwords – Some interstate crimes take the form of white collar crime, such as when they involve the intent to defraud using computers or the internet. For instance, under the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, it is a crime to intentionally access a protected computer. Many types of computers are defined as “protected” under the law, including a computer that is used in or affecting interstate commerce or communication. Among the many acts prohibited by the law, it is illegal to knowingly and with intent to defraud, traffic in a password or similar information through which a computer may be accessed without authorization that affects interstate commerce.
Get Help with Interstate Criminal Charges in South Florida
If you have been charged with interstate offenses in the Southern District of Florida, call Bruce L. Udolf, P.A., to discuss the charges against you and how to defend yourself. With offices in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach, we cover South Florida with smart and successful federal criminal defense.
