Liquor Traffic

Liquor Traffic Offenses Explained by Federal Defense Attorneys

There are many rules and many restrictions on the sale, transport, or use of liquor in the United States. In some cases, a violation of those rules can result in a defendant facing federal criminal charges.

If you have been charged with a federal offense, you need to understand that the consequences could potentially be much more severe than if you were charged with an offense on the state level.

You also need to know that not every defense attorney is able to represent you in federal court.

LV Criminal Defense can help you. We provide representation to clients in Arizona, California, Utah, Nevada, Oregon and surrounding areas who are charged with federal crimes including those related to liquor trafficking. We have a long and successful track record of handling federal cases and we can provide guidance on whether to negotiate a plea agreement, try to get evidence suppressed and get charges dropped, try to introduce reasonable doubt in court, or present affirmative defenses.

Whether you decide to fight federal charges for violating laws on liquor traffic or you want an attorney to help you negotiate the most favorable plea deal possible, our federal defense attorneys have the knowledge, skill and experience you need. Give us a call today to find out more about the ways in which we can help you to fight charges related to liquor traffic.

Federal Laws On Liquor Traffic

Federal laws that make liquor trafficking illegal are found in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 59. There are a total of five statutes within this Chapter that define different types of unlawful behavior, explain what would need to be proved by prosecutors for a defendant to be convicted, and establish penalties for misconduct. The five statutes include the following:

• 18 U.S. Code section 1261: Enforcement, regulations, and scope: This statute specifies that the laws on liquor trafficking that are found within 18 U.S. Code Chapter 59 will be enforced by the Attorney General. The Attorney General has enforcement authority as well as the authority to issue regulations to carry out the provisions within the relevant chapter.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1262: Transportation into State prohibiting sale: This statute makes it a crime to bring or transport any intoxicating liquor into a state, territory, or district where liquor sales are prohibited, except if the liquor simply moves through the territory as part of interstate transportation. Violating the law and improperly bringing liquor into a location where it is prohibited can result in a fine and imprisonment for up to one year.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1263: Marks and labels on packages: This statute requires that anyone who knowingly ships spiritous, vinous, malted or fermented liquor or a compound containing such liquor fit for beverage purposes must label the shipment and include a bill of lading detailing who the consignee is, what the contents of the shipment is, and the nature of the shipment’s contents. Violating this law could result in a fine and imprisonment for up to a one year period of time.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1264: Delivery to consignee: This statute makes it a crime for officers, agent,s or employees of common carriers to knowingly deliver liquor shipments to anyone other than the person the shipment is consigned to unless a written order directs a delivery to someone else. Violating this law can result in a fine and imprisonment for up to a one year period of time.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1265: C.O.D. shipments prohibited: This statute prohibits common carriers from delivering liquor shipments in circumstances where the common carrier is supposed to collect payment on or before delivery. The penalty for delivering liquors under cash-on-delivery terms could include up to one year of imprisonment.

Defendants who have been accused of violating federal laws related to liquor traffic should make certain that they understand the specific federal statute in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 59 that they have been accused of violating. A prosecutor must prove each element of the crime outlined within the statute in order for a defendant to be convicted of criminal conduct, so it is important for defendants to know what must be proved so they can understand how to develop a defense strategy.

Understanding potential penalties that could be imposed under 18 U.S. Code section 59 is also vitally important so you can better understand what is at stake and what type of plea agreement might be reasonable in light of the specifics of the charge if the evidence against you is strong.

LV Criminal Defense can explain the details of the specific statute that you have been charged under when you have been accused of unlawful liquor trafficking so you can respond in an appropriate fashion if you are charged with a criminal offense under 18 U.S. Code Chapter 59.

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