Railroad Carriers And Mass Transportation Systems On Land

Federal Defense Attorney Explains Crimes Involving Transportation

Railroads and other transportation systems that provide transportation to the public are protected under state and federal law. There are strict rules in place to ensure that transportation systems are secure and to protect passengers against crimes that could be damaging and dangerous.

Because there are strict federal laws in place aimed at protecting mass transportation systems, those who are accused of breaking the law in connection with railroads or other public transportation systems could face serious federal criminal charges.

In some cases, defendants could find themselves being prosecuted for criminal offenses that could result in decades of imprisonment.

Fighting against these serious charges is essential, and you need to work with a federal criminal defense lawyer that can provide you with the advice you need to make informed choices. You should choose the right legal strategy from day one of responding to charges, which means being smart about how you answer questions when you’re being investigated and making the right decision about how to plead.

LV Criminal Defense is here for you if you live in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, California, or surrounding areas. Our experienced legal defense team has represented many clients accused of crimes against railroad carriers and other mass transportation systems. We know the ins-and-outs of the federal laws on mass transit crimes well enough to help clients navigate the criminal justice system and emerge with minimal or no penalties depending on the nature of the evidence.

When getting the best possible outcome is essential to protecting your future, our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team is ready to advocate for you. Give us a call today to find out about the ways in which we can help you to fight charges so you can get the necessary help to maximize the chances of acquittal or end up with a favorable plea agreement.

Federal Criminal Laws Related to Mass Transportation Systems

Federal criminal laws related to railroad carriers and mass transportation systems are found in 18 US. Code section 97. These laws apply to transportation systems on land, transportation systems on water, and transportation systems that travel through the air.

There are a total of three different statutes found within 18 U.S. Code Chapter 97, but one of those statutes has been repealed so there are only two laws on the books that define federal crimes involving these transportation systems. These laws include the following:

• 18 U.S. Code section 1991 – Entering train to commit crime: This statute makes it a crime to willfully and maliciously trespass upon or enter a railroad train, car, or locomotive with the intent to commit murder or robbery. It applies in any territory or district within the jurisdiction of the United States. If a defendant enters a train in such a territory with the intent to commit murder or robbery, the defendant could face up to 20 years imprisonment. If a defendant enters a train with the intent to commit any unlawful violence upon a passenger, conductor, engineer, fireman, brakeman, mail agent, express messenger, or any officer or employee or person or property on the train, the defendant could be convicted and imprisoned for up to a year.
• 18 U.S. Code section 1992 – Terrorist attacks and other violence against railroad carriers and against mass transportation systems on land, on water, or through the air: This statute makes it a crime to wreck, derail, or set fire to railroads; to place biological agents or destructive substances on transportation vehicles; to release hazardous materials with reckless disregard for human life; to make unworkable or hazardous any tunnels or other structures used in rail travel or to take other steps to interfere with transportation either to harm passengers or with reckless disregard for safety. Penalties vary depending upon whether the offense was an aggravated one and depending upon the specifics of the defendant’s conduct.

These statutes also make clear that a prosecutor does not have to prove a defendant was motivated to harm any particular person on the transportation vessel in order for a defendant to be convicted of violating laws in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 97.

It is important to understand specifically what a prosecutor would need to prove in order to defend yourself against these serious charges. An attorney can help.

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