If you’re facing charges of terrorism in Michigan, you need experienced legal counsel to level the playing field and protect your rights and interests. Turn to the defense attorneys of Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan for help. We have represented clients in thousands of cases in federal court and have won some of the toughest ones imaginable. When you choose us to advocate on your behalf, you choose a firm that has 30 years of experience working at the highest levels of criminal defense law. We won’t hesitate to take a case to trial if you choose to fight your charges, but we will also advise you on your best options for pursuing alternate resolutions to your case.
Understanding Federal Terrorism Charges
Federal law categorizes acts of terrorism as either international or domestic terrorism. The law defines international terrorism as violent or dangerous acts that violate the criminal laws of the United States or any state or that would constitute a criminal violation if committed within the U.S. when such acts occur primarily outside the U.S. or transcend national boundaries, and when an offender intends for such acts to:
- Intimidate or coerce a civilian population
- Influence government policy by intimidation or coercion
- Affect governmental operations by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping
The law defines domestic terrorism as committing dangerous acts that violate U.S. or state law within the U.S. with the intent to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence state or federal government by intimidation or coercion, or affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.
A person may also face criminal charges for engaging in financial transactions with the government of a country designated by the federal government as supporting international terrorism.
Other acts of terrorism expressly prohibited by federal law include:
- Acquiring, trafficking, or using missile systems designed to destroy aircraft
- Acquiring, trafficking, or using radiological dispersal devices
- Acts of nuclear terrorism, including possessing radioactive material, making or possessing a nuclear device, or damaging or interfering with the operation of a nuclear facility to cause the release of radioactive material
- Harboring or concealing known or suspected terrorists
- Providing material support to terrorists or designated foreign terrorist organizations
- Collecting funds to finance acts of terror
- Receiving military-type training from a foreign terrorist organization
Penalties for a Terrorism Conviction
Criminal penalties for a federal terrorism conviction will depend on the acts of terrorism committed or planned by a defendant. Penalties for acts of terrorism involving the homicide of a U.S. national outside the U.S. include:
- For a murder offense, the death penalty, life imprisonment, or any term of years in prison
- For a voluntary manslaughter offense, up to 10 years in prison
- For an involuntary manslaughter offense, up to three years in prison
- For attempted murder, up to 20 years in prison
- For conspiracy to commit murder, life imprisonment or any term of years in prison
Penalties for the use of a weapon of mass destruction inside the U.S. or against a U.S. national outside the U.S. include life imprisonment or the death penalty if the use of a weapon of mass destruction results in fatalities.
Committing an act of terrorism involving the bombing of a public place, government facility, public transportation system, or public infrastructure can impose penalties that include life imprisonment or the death penalty if fatalities occur.
Sentences for convictions for other types of acts of terrorism can range from several decades in prison up to life imprisonment.
Penalties for engaging in financial transactions with the government of a country that supports international terrorism include up to 10 years in prison.
Potential Defenses to a Terrorism Charge
A defendant facing terrorism charges may pursue various defense strategies to contest the government’s case, such as:
- Lack of intent: Defendants may argue that the government’s evidence fails to prove the defendant’s intent to engage in terrorism.
- Mistaken identity: A defendant may argue that the government mistakenly arrested them instead of the culprit.
- Entrapment: An entrapment defense claims that government agents encouraged, induced, or coerced the defendant to commit a crime they had no intent or interest in committing except for the government’s efforts.
- Unlawfully obtained evidence/statements: Defendants may file motions to exclude evidence from the government’s case when federal investigators obtained evidence through an unlawful search, wiretap, or interrogation.
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help You Face Prosecution for Terrorism?
After getting indicted on federal terrorism charges, let a criminal defense lawyer from Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan help you protect your rights, reputation, and future from the harshest consequences of an arrest or conviction by:
- Thoroughly investigating the allegations to obtain all available evidence, which can help us build a compelling defense strategy on your behalf
- Evaluating the facts and evidence to identify possible defenses we can pursue to contest your charges
- Explaining the details of your charges and the potential outcomes of your case to advise you as you make decisions at each stage
- Preparing you for what to expect when facing the federal criminal justice system
- Vigorously challenging the government’s case, including by moving to exclude evidence or statements unlawfully obtained by federal investigators.
- Pursuing the best possible outcome under the circumstances of your case, even if that means taking your charges to trial
Contact Our Firm Today After Federal Law Enforcement Has Arrested and Charged You with Terrorism
If the FBI or other federal law enforcement officials have arrested you for suspected terrorism, you need highly experienced legal counsel to guide you through the complex issues in a federal terrorism prosecution. Contact the Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan today for a confidential consultation with a criminal defense lawyer to discuss your charges and legal options.
Federal Criminal Attorneys of Michigan, based in Detroit, also assists clients with criminal defense in Lansing, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Flint, and all of Michigan.