Certain sex offenses are investigated by the FBI or other agencies and prosecuted in federal court, also known as the United States District Courts. In New York City, there are two federal district courts, the Eastern District (covering Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island) and the Southern District (covering Manhattan, the Bronx and northern suburbs like Westchester).
Practice in federal court is different from state court. The feds bring fewer cases, but they are more serious and often easier to prove because there are tapes or other strong evidence of guilt. Federal crimes typically carry very long maximum penalties and sentences are determined, by and large, by the United States Sentencing Guidelines. An understanding of how the Sentencing Guidelines work is absolutely essential to defending a case in federal court. Federal cases often also involve multiple defendants.
What are the penalties for federal sex crimes?
- Mandatory Minimum Sentences – Some federal sex offenses carry 5, 10, or even 25-year mandatory minimum prison terms.
- Lifetime Sex Offender Registration – Conviction may require registering under SORA (Sex Offender Registration Act), restricting housing, jobs, and public movement.
- Massive Fines & Asset Forfeiture – Fines can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, and the government may seize property.
- Supervised Release & Electronic Monitoring – Even after serving time, many defendants face strict parole conditions for years or life.
For more information on specific federal crimes, please see our pages on:
Contact ZMO for Defense Against Federal Sex Offense Charges
If you have been accused of a federal sex crime in federal court, you need an attorney with experience in the federal system right away. Please call us at (212) 685-0999 to schedule a free consultation.