Sabotage

Federal Defense Lawyer Explains the Crime of Sabotage

The United States takes national defense very seriously, and those who are seen to interfere with national security or military readiness can expect to face some of the harshest penalties imposed by the criminal justice system. In fact, there is an entire chapter of the federal penal code that defines sabotage crimes and imposes penalties for these offenses.

If you have been accused of criminal sabotage and are facing federal charges, you need an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer who will stand up for you, help you to develop the right defense strategy, and provide you with the advocacy you need as you fight for your future against prosecutors with extensive investigatorial resources. LV Criminal Defense can help.

We represent clients in Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, California and surrounding states who have been accused of sabotage and we know the law inside-and-out so we can help you to determine whether to plead guilty and try for reduced charges during plea negotiations. Our goal in every situation is to help you avoid penalties or face the minimum in possible consequences so you can protect your freedom and future.

To find out more about how our firm can help you when you have been charged, give us a call today. We know the federal laws on sabotage and we will be there with you from day one to navigate the federal criminal justice system.

Federal Laws on Sabotage

Federal laws on sabotage are found in 18 U.S. Code Chapter 105. There are seven different statutes within this chapter of the federal penal code. However, one of those statutes – 18 U.S. Code section 2157 – has been repealed. The remaining statutes that apply to defendants establish definitions and explain circumstances under which defendants can be charged with sabotage. These statutes include the following:

• 18 U.S. Code section 2151 – Definitions: This statute defines words used in the statute, including war material, war premises, war utilities, associate nation, national defense material, national defense premises, and national defense utilities. Whenever these terms are used elsewhere in the statute, these definitions apply.
• 18 U.S. Code section 2152 – Fortifications, harbor defenses, or defensive sea areas: Up to five years imprisonment and a fine could be imposed for conviction for willfully trespassing on or injuring works, property, or materials of submarine mines, torpedoes, fortification or harbor defense systems.
• 18 U.S. Code section 2153 – Destruction of war material, war premises, or war utilities: This statute imposes a penalty of up to 30 years imprisonment for interfering with or obstructing the U.S. or associate nations in carrying out a war or defense activities in times of national emergency. The defendant could be convicted if his conduct involves destroying war materials, premises, or utilities.
• 18 U.S. Code section 2154 – Production of defective war material, war premises, or war utilities: Under this statute, a defendant could be imprisoned for up to 30 years for obstructing the U.S. or interfering with the U.S. or an associate nation’s efforts to prepare for or carry out a war or defense activities. A defendant could be convicted under this statute for producing defective war materials.
• 18 U.S. Code section 2155 – Destruction of national-defense materials, national-defense premises, or national-defense utilities: Destroying or contaminating national defense materials could result in up to 20 years imprisonment under this statute. If dearth results because of the destruction of national defense materials, premises, or utilities, a defendant could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
• 18 U.S. Code section 2156 – Production of defective national-defense material, national-defense premises, or national-defense utilities: This statute could result in up to 10 years imprisonment for intentionally producing defective national defense materials.

Each of these different statutes has specific things prosecutors would need to prove in order for a defendant to be found guilty.

Defendants don’t have to prove their innocence when charged with sabotage. If a prosecutor cannot prove every specific element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt – including intent when the offense requires the defendant to have acted purposefully and willfully – then the defendant shouldn’t be convicted.

This means that your attorney should help you to understand the specifics of what must be proved based on the offense you’ve been charged with and should help you to find ways to make the jury question the prosecutor’s evidence so you can get acquitted.

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