The federal government actively seeks to prosecute those who engage in conspiracies. There are several reasons for this, including the following:
- They can harm American citizens/taxpayers
- They can also hurt federal agencies (health care fraud, for example)
- They cause devastating financial loss to governments and individuals
A conspiracy may also put people at risk of physical harm. For example, say two people planned to rob an armored truck carrying the payroll for a Texas company. A truck guard attempts to disarm one of the would-be robbers. The other robber shoots the guard, leaving him with traumatic brain injuries.
Due to these and other reasons, federal prosecutors typically push hard for a conviction when egregious criminal conspiracies occur.
Do all conspiracies fall under the jurisdiction of federal authorities?
For conspiracies to be under federal jurisdiction, they must typically involve a federal crime. For example, if two people conspire to steal a small sum of money from a neighbor, state authorities will likely handle the case.
However, if these two individuals conspire to steal from the San Antonio branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, it will almost certainly be a federal case.
Other types of cases typically tried in federal court include:
- Drug trafficking
- Human trafficking
- Securities fraud
- Defrauding the government
The stakes are always high when a case lands in the jurisdiction of federal authorities. However, you still have rights, including the right to representation and a speedy trial.
If you have learned that your case is going before a federal court, we urge you to learn more about the specific charges filed against you and seek legal guidance immediately.