Understanding the Hobbs Act
The Hobbs Act, a federal law that prohibits robbery, extortion or attempted robbery affecting interstate or foreign commerce, also applies to public officials, who cannot use their authority to extort property. Under the act, people also cannot make threats to others in an effort to acquire property. Any violations of the Hobbs Act are generally reviewed by the FBI.
If you’ve been charged with robbery or extortion and the act affected interstate commerce in some way, you could be facing more severe consequences. For a conviction to take place, the prosecution must show that the defendant used threats or force to obtain property, had intent and that the act affected interstate commerce to some degree.
Consequences of Violations Under the Hobbs Act
Those convicted of crimes against the Hobbs Act could face up to 20 years in prison as well as fines. As experienced Hobbs Act defense attorneys, Owens Criminal Defense can help you strategize your defense and fight your case in an attempt to prove that one of the criteria for violations under the Hobbs Act has not been met, which would potentially de-escalate your case to one with less severe sentencing guidelines.
It’s essential to retain knowledgeable legal counsel for your case if you’ve been accused or have been arrested of robbery, extortion or violations under the Hobbs Act. At Owens Criminal Defense, we will take the time to review all the details of your case and build a strong defense.
Talk to a Hobbs Act Defense Attorney
If you’re facing serious charges and consequences due to violations under the Hobbs Act, the best thing you can do is to talk to a Hobbs Act defense attorney who can help you navigate your case. Contact Owens Criminal Defense to schedule a free consultation with our principal attorney. Call us at (888) 704-2165 or use our online contact form to submit your information and we’ll be in touch soon.
