Law.com Subscribers SAVE 30%

Call 855-808-4530 or email [email protected] to receive your discount on a new subscription.

Limiting the Extraterritorial Reach of U.S. Criminal Law

By William V. Roppolo and Joseph J. Mamounas
October 29, 2008

The Eleventh Circuit recently vacated two defendants' money-laundering sentences because it found that they had “committed no crime against the United States.” United States v. Lopez-Vanegas, 493 F.3d 1305, 1306 (11th Cir. 2007). This decision was shocking because the defendants and their co-conspirators met in Miami numerous times to plan their conspiracy. At first blush, the court's decision seems to pose a significant obstacle to the increasingly broad extraterritorial application of U.S. criminal laws by the Department of Justice (DOJ). But when applied to conspiracies based on U.S. money laundering laws, does Lopez-Vanegas go far enough to prevent the DOJ from charging foreign nationals for conduct outside the U.S.?

The Lopez-Vanegas Case

This premium content is locked for Entertainment Law & Finance subscribers only

  • Stay current on the latest information, rulings, regulations, and trends
  • Includes practical, must-have information on copyrights, royalties, AI, and more
  • Tap into expert guidance from top entertainment lawyers and experts

For enterprise-wide or corporate acess, please contact Customer Service at [email protected] or 877-256-2473

Read These Next
The DOJ's Corporate Enforcement Policy: One Year Later Image

The DOJ's Criminal Division issued three declinations since the issuance of the revised CEP a year ago. Review of these cases gives insight into DOJ's implementation of the new policy in practice.

The Bankruptcy Hotline Image

Recent cases of importance to your practice.

Use of Deferred Prosecution Agreements In White Collar Investigations Image

This article discusses the practical and policy reasons for the use of DPAs and NPAs in white-collar criminal investigations, and considers the NDAA's new reporting provision and its relationship with other efforts to enhance transparency in DOJ decision-making.

How AI Has Affected PR Image

When we consider how the use of AI affects legal PR and communications, we have to look at it as an industrywide global phenomenon. A recent online conference provided an overview of the latest AI trends in public relations, and specifically, the impact of AI on communications. Here are some of the key points and takeaways from several of the speakers, who provided current best practices, tips, concerns and case studies.

New York's Latest Cybersecurity Commitment Image

On Aug. 9, 2023, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced New York's inaugural comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. In sum, the plan aims to update government networks, bolster county-level digital defenses, and regulate critical infrastructure.