Trusted Sevierville Defense Lawyers Help You Fight Federal Theft Charges
Skilled defense for clients in Sevier County, the Tri-Cities, Greeneville and throughout East Tennessee
Tennessee has its own laws and statutes regarding theft. However, the federal government may also indict you on theft charges – and the penalties can be just as, if not more, severe if you are convicted. Delius & McKenzie, PLLC provides comprehensive counsel to individuals in Sevier County, the Tri-Cities, Greeneville and throughout East Tennessee, who are facing federal charges for theft or larceny. We understand that these are complex cases requiring aggressive, effective strategies. Our Sevierville-based defense lawyers have what it takes to handle the challenge, and to protect your rights in court.
Examples of federal theft
Most federal theft charges fall under the umbrella of “white collar” crimes. These charges usually fall to the federal government, as opposed to the state. Under 18 U.S.C. §§ 641-670, you may be charged by the federal government for, among other things:
- Theft of public money or funds
- Theft of assets from federally-run programs (like Medicaid)
- Theft or livestock
- Theft of major artwork
- Theft or embezzlement in connection with healthcare (like Medicare or Medicaid fraud)
- Misusing public funds
- Theft of materials for counterfeiting
- Theft of property from interstate shipments
- Theft occurring in certain bodies of water
You can also face federal theft charges if you are accused of stealing or appropriating federal land for your own personal use; for engaging in securities fraud, wire fraud or bank fraud; and for identity theft – either for stealing another person’s identity, or for selling fraudulent identification documents.
The value of the property will determine how much money in fines you must pay, as well as federal prison sentencing. Generally speaking, if the value of the stolen property is less than $1,000, you will face a fine of the same amount, and may be imprisoned up to one year. If, however, the value of property exceeds $1,000, you could face as much as 30 years in prison and a million dollars in fines.
Federal charges for robbery
Robbery is also a theft crime, but a far more serious one. In order to be charged with robbery, a person must have used physical violence, or the threat of physical violence, to force the victim to comply. Under 18 U.S.C. §§ 2111-19, a person may face federal charges of robbery when the situation involves (among other things):
- Certain maritime and territorial jurisdictions
- Personal property of the United States
- Banks
- The U.S. Post Office
- Mail (even when not located at the Post Office)
- Controlled substances
Federal robbery charges average out around 15 years in prison plus fines, though some charges are as little as a year in prison, and some can be up to 25 years.
However, if a person is killed in the commission of the robbery, and a jury convicts the accused of murder, he or she may face the death penalty.
If you stand accused of federal theft charges, it is important that you seek legal counsel right away. Even “minor” charges can hurt your future, because the only way to clear your record is with a Presidential pardon. Federal changes stick around forever, otherwise. At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, we fight to protect you and your family, and to give you the best possible chance at a better tomorrow.
Experienced Sevierville defense lawyers fight for clients facing federal theft charges
Delius & McKenzie, PLLC has the resources, the skills and the experienced to help people throughout East Tennessee who are facing federal theft or robbery charges. Put our experience to work for you. Please call 865-428-8780, or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation with a federal defense attorney from our office in Sevierville. We proudly serve clients in Seymour, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Bristol, Johnson City, Kingsport, and Greeneville.
