Syracuse Criminal Law Blog

United States immigration policies have been scrutinized in the media in the lead up to the 2016 presidential elections. Most of the discussions have revolved around the action or inaction of the federal government when it comes to deporting people who come into the United States unlawfully. In a 2013 report, Human Rights Watch cited the federal crimes of illegal entry and illegal re-entry as the most federally prosecuted crimes. Many

The legalization of marijuana for both medicinal and recreational use has been on the rise nationwide for several years. Although many states have acknowledged the value in medicinal marijuana, only two have taken steps to allow the legal use of marijuana recreationally. In New York State there have been attempts to legalize, regulate, and tax marijuana as is done with alcohol through legislation such as the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation

The use of confidential informants in law enforcement can sometimes be a grey area that can be exploited by both the informant and the law enforcement agents involved. Becoming a confidential informant can be a way to avoid going to prison, although it may also mean accepting the informant role for a quite some time. Becoming an informant can also be dangerous when it exposes the informant to threats of

When a sexual assault on a college campus is reported and an accused named, it can have far-reaching effects for both the victim and the accused. Unfortunately, the investigations surrounding campus sexual assaults have been criticized as being both unfair to the accused and sometimes inadequate for the victim. Federal Law and Campus Investigations For colleges and universities that receive federal funds, there are some basic guidelines that they have

College students at any institution in America are fully aware that a disciplinary hearing facilitated by a university is nothing to joke about. Not only can a student potentially be expelled or suspended, but the stigma that goes along with being the subject of a university disciplinary investigation or hearing can be extremely hurtful while attending the university and well beyond graduation. A new bill that was proposed in Congress

Federal drug allegations are serious matters. Many federal drug prosecutions involve potential mandatory minimum prison terms that require convicted drug offenders to spend a minimum amount of time behind bars. One of the most serious types of drug-related convictions – for participating in a conspiracy – can punish the defendant for the actions of others, resulting in liability for more than the amount of drugs the person sold or possessed

The purported purpose of the criminal justice system and in particular, the Department of Justice, is to transform those who enter the system from convicted criminals to functioning members of society. The sad truth is that a federal prison or a stint on federal probation may only be the beginning of a lifelong sentence of difficulties for those convicted of a crime that can include increased roadblocks when attempting to