Law Offices of Charles M. Ferguson, II, L.L.C., lawyers in St. Louis, MO, Missouri

AIRCRAFT PIRACY

Federal law prohibits the seizure, by force or violence, by threat of force or violence, or by any other form of intimidation with wrongful intent, of an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States. Such an offense is called aircraft piracy or hijacking. The display of a dangerous weapon by a defendant constitutes a sufficient use of force or violence for purposes of the offense. More...

REVOCATION OF PAROLE

A prisoner who is granted parole is required to abide by all the terms and conditions of his or her parole. If the prisoner violates any of the terms and conditions of his or her parole or if the prisoner commits a criminal offense while on parole, the prisoner's parole may be revoked. More...

Violations of the Federal Controlled Substance Act

The Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act gives the government the authority to supervise the manufacture and distribution of controlled substances. The Federal Controlled Substance Act (Substance Act) is a subdivision of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act. More...

A DEFENDANT'S RIGHT TO A PUBLIC TRIAL

A defendant is guaranteed the right to a public trial under the Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The right to a public trial is also an element of the defendant's due process rights, which rights are guaranteed under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. In addition, states have enacted provisions in their constitutions that guarantee a defendant's right to a public trial. The public also has a right to attend criminal trials under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.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...