| FEDERAL STRIKE FORCES |
| |
| United States Attorneys' offices have federal strike forces. Such strike forces are called Organized Crime Strike Force Units (OCSFUS). The OCSFUS are responsible for supervising and prosecuting cases against criminal enterprises that operate in or that affect the United States. The Attorney General's Organized Crime Council identifies those criminal enterprises. The terms "organized crime" refer to criminal groups that engage in repeated illegal activities over an extended period of time within the United States.
More... |
| |
| The Travel Act |
| |
| The Travel Act was passed in the 1960's in response to organized crime. The Act was intended to assist state and local authorities with limited resources in their efforts to combat organized crime. The Act provides that any individual who travels in interstate or foreign commerce or uses the mail or any facility in interstate or foreign commerce with the intent to distribute the proceeds of any unlawful activity, commit a violent crime to further criminal activity, promote, manage, establish, carry on, or facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, or carrying on of any criminal activity, may be guilty of violating the Travel Act.
More... |
| |
| INTOXICATION AS A DEFENSE |
| |
| Intoxication is defined as a change in a person's mental or physical capacity as a result of the introduction of any substance into the person's body, regardless of whether the substance is alcohol or a drug. Voluntary intoxication is when a person voluntarily places himself or herself in an intoxicated condition. Voluntary intoxication is generally not a defense to the commission of a crime, even if it makes a person unaware of his or her surroundings, makes him or her unconscious, or gives him or her no memory or understanding of his or her offense. More... |
| |
| Juvenile Proceedings |
| |
| Juvenile proceedings are different from regular criminal proceedings because they are tailored toward juveniles, children under the age of 18. Every state has a different type of system set up to handle their juvenile matters. Some states have an actual juvenile court, other states place juvenile matters under the guise of the family or probate court. However, most courts that have jurisdiction to hear juvenile matters may transfer the case to a trial court when the offense charged is severe. The process of transferring a juvenile case is often referred to as waiving jurisdiction. More... |
| |
| Depositions |
| |
| Depositions are not a discovery device for purposes of federal criminal practice. But depositions are permitted in the interests of justice or in exceptional circumstances. Further, if both parties agree, depositions may also be taken of witnesses. Either party may file a motion to take a deposition of a witness. The moving party should file its motion promptly and early in the pretrial process if possible. The moving party has the burden of showing that it is necessary to take the deposition of a witness in the interests of justice. It is within the trial court's discretion to grant or deny the request to conduct a deposition. More... |
| |
