Understanding Sentencing and Penalties in Postal Service Criminal Cases

Understanding Sentencing and Penalties in Postal Service Criminal Cases

Getting charged with a crime related to the postal service can be scary. There are a lot of laws and penalties to understand. This article will explain the common charges, defenses, and penalties in an easy to understand way. We’ll also look at some real cases to see how the laws apply.

What crimes can you be charged with?

There are two main laws that apply to postal crimes:

• Mail fraud – using the mail to commit fraud or theft
• Mail theft – stealing mail from post offices, collection boxes, or people’s mailboxes

Mail fraud includes things like:

• Identity theft
• Fake sweepstakes or lotteries
• Online shopping scams
• Fake invoices

Mail theft includes:

• Stealing envelopes with cash or checks
• Stealing packages from porches
• Breaking into collection boxes

Other related crimes include:

• Possession of stolen mail
• Possession of postal keys
• Destruction of mail

What are the penalties?

Mail fraud has penalties up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. Mail theft has penalties up to 5 years in prison. Related crimes have smaller penalties. Judges consider the amount stolen and number of victims when deciding sentences.

For example, four people were charged in Maryland for stealing packages and possessing postal keys[2]. They face up to 10 years in prison. In New York, a man was sentenced to 41 months for stealing checks from the mail[4].

What are some defenses?

There are a few common defenses in postal cases:

• You didn’t intend to commit fraud – For mail fraud, prosecutors must prove you intended to defraud someone. If it was an accident, you may not be guilty.
• You didn’t know the mail was stolen – For possessing stolen mail, you may not have known it was stolen.
• The mail doesn’t have financial value – Some laws only apply if the mail has value over a certain amount.
• Illegal search – If evidence was obtained illegally, it may be thrown out.

A good lawyer can evaluate the evidence and advise you on possible defenses. For example, a religious group was accused of mail fraud for sending prayer cloths[1]. They argued they didn’t intend to defraud people, and the charges were dropped.

What happens in a postal inspection?

Postal inspectors are federal agents who investigate postal crimes. They work closely with local police and prosecutors. Postal inspectors can[5]:

• Obtain search warrants for mail or property
• Make arrests
• Seize evidence like stolen mail
• Access postal databases to track mail

They have a lot of power to gather evidence. Having an attorney ensures your rights are protected.

Case Examples

Here are some real cases that show how these laws apply:

Identity Theft Ring

A group in New York was stealing credit cards and IDs from the mail. They used these to buy gift cards and electronics. The group was caught with notebooks of stolen info. Some members faced up to 6 years in prison for mail theft and fraud.

Package Theft

A woman in Colorado was stealing packages off porches. She was arrested with 20 stolen packages in her car. She pleaded guilty to mail theft and was sentenced to 6 months in prison plus restitution.

Lottery Scam

A man sent mailings saying people won fake lotteries. When they paid fees to claim winnings, he pocketed the money. He stole over $3 million through this mail fraud scheme. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Get a Lawyer’s Help

As you can see, postal crimes are complex but defendable. Don’t go it alone. Hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer if you’re charged. A lawyer can argue defenses and negotiate for a better outcome. With the right help, your charges or penalties may be reduced.