Washington D.C. Criminal Law Blog

We expect our local police officers to act in a professional and dignified matter when on duty. They are there to protect us and ensure that criminal acts are stopped. It takes strong character and good moral fiber to uphold this expectation, but it is one that any citizen must be ensured of.

Unfortunately for a 26-year-old man being pursued for various traffic violations, it appears he was not only a victim of disorganized and passive police work, but negligence too. He was shot and killed last week in a seemingly unprovoked manner.

In the United States, the area of crime and punishment has traditionally been left to state and local governments. Many criminal matters such as robbery, theft and drunk driving are almost exclusively handled by state and local governments. However, lawmakers in Washington, D.C. have also exerted the power of the federal government in criminal matters related to a variety of areas, including illegal drugs and the regulation of firearms.

In fact, there are a myriad of complex state, local and federal laws and regulations that govern the sale, use, possession and transportation of firearms. Matters can be made more complicated in the federal government because laws and regulations can come from a variety of sources. At the federal level, Congress passes laws, while regulatory agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), enact regulations. With so many laws and regulations in play, many people in the Maryland and across the country can easily and inadvertently violate gun laws and face serious weapons charges as a result.

With the mortgage crisis still fresh in the minds of citizens across the nation, mortgage companies are under increasing pressure to provide accurate information to clients. A complete and proper investigation should occur when fraudulent acts are reported, as any person or entity accused of a serious crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

A Maryland man was recently under investigation for mail and mortgage fraud, and last week he was sentenced to nearly three years in prison after reaching a plea agreement. The 42-year-old was charged with two counts of mail fraud and mortgage fraud, and must pay $1.4 million for the serious crime.

Earlier this month, District of Columbia police and federal authorities arrested dozens of individuals, and collected more than $7 million in illegal firearms and drugs.

The arrests were the result of an undercover police effort called Operation Manic Enterprises, which was said to be aimed at putting a stop to the illicit trafficking of weapons and drugs in the District of Columbia. The arrested individuals now face a number of criminal charges.