San Diego Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Bringing controlled substances into the United States, most often at the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa or Calexico ports of entry.

Penalty: Large quantities carry mandatory minimum sentences of 5 or 10 years, with a maximum of up to life.

Possessing drugs with intent to distribute, or distributing them, including conspiracy to distribute.

Penalty: 500 grams or more of a methamphetamine mixture (or 50 grams of pure methamphetamine) carries a 10-year mandatory minimum and up to life.

Agreeing with others to distribute, or to possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances.

Penalty: The same penalties as the underlying drug offense, including its mandatory minimums.

Bringing in, transporting or harboring people who entered the country unlawfully.

Penalty: Up to 10 years per person when done for financial gain, up to 20 years if someone is seriously injured, and up to life if someone dies.

Returning to the United States after being deported or removed.

Penalty: Up to 2 years, increasing to 10 or 20 years depending on prior convictions.

Using, making or possessing false immigration documents, or making false statements in an immigration application.

Penalty: Up to 10 years in most cases.

Taking a vehicle from another person by force, violence or intimidation, where a death results.

Penalty: Up to life in prison, or the death penalty.

Possessing, using, carrying, brandishing or discharging a firearm in furtherance of, or during and in relation to, a crime of violence.

Penalty: Mandatory consecutive prison time: 5 years for possession, 7 for brandishing, 10 for discharge. If a death results: up to life, or the death penalty.

Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Penalty: A mandatory minimum of 5 years, served consecutively to the drug sentence, and up to life.

Possessing a firearm or ammunition after a felony conviction.

Penalty: Up to 15 years. If the Armed Career Criminal Act applies (three prior violent felonies or serious drug offenses), a 15-year mandatory minimum and up to life.

Robbery or extortion that affects interstate commerce, including conspiracy and attempt.

Penalty: Up to 20 years per count.

Agreeing to take part in the affairs of a criminal enterprise through a pattern of racketeering activity.

Penalty: Up to 20 years, or up to life if an underlying racketeering act carries a life sentence.

Agreeing with others to commit a federal offense, here operating an illegal gambling business.

Penalty: Up to 5 years.

A scheme to obtain money or property by false statements, using the mail or electronic communications.

Penalty: Up to 20 years, or up to 30 years if a financial institution is affected.

Receiving, concealing or keeping government money or property, such as Social Security or Treasury payments.

Penalty: Up to 10 years if more than $1,000; a misdemeanor if $1,000 or less.

Using another person's identification during certain federal felonies.

Penalty: A mandatory 2 years in prison, served in addition to the sentence for the underlying crime.