SEARCH WARRANTS

A search warrant is a written document that is signed by a magistrate or a judicial officer. The search warrant allows the police to conduct a search and describes the property that may be seized.

CRIMES COMMITTED ABOARD AIRCRAFT

A person is guilty of a federal offense if he or she commits certain crimes aboard an aircraft. Such crimes include murder, attempted murder, manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, maiming, sexual abuse, assault, embezzlement, theft, receiving stolen property, and robbery. These offenses are punishable as federal offenses, even if they are not connected with aircraft piracy or attempted aircraft piracy.

Food Drug and Cosmetic Act

A corporation, a corporate officer, a corporate director or a corporate employee may be charged with violating the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The Act prohibits the misbranding and adulterating of food, drugs, or cosmetics. A violation of this act is generally classified as a misdemeanor. However, if the defendant violated the Act with the actual intent to defraud or mislead, the classification of the offense is elevated to a felony.

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.

WAIVER OF APPEAL

A defendant is entitled to waive his or her right to appeal his or her conviction by a trial court. However, the waiver must be knowingly and intelligently made by the defendant. The waiver may only be made after the defendant's right to appeal has accrued.