United States: Crime

Massachusetts has enacted a new law criminalizing sexual conduct between mandated reporters and minors aged 16-17 over whom they exercise supervisory authority, carrying penalties up to 20 years in prison. The legislation addresses power imbalances in relationships between minors and adults in positions of authority such as teachers, coaches, and healthcare providers, even after formal supervisory roles have ended. Employers of mandated reporters must now update policies, training programs, and codes of con

Louisiana's Behind the Counter Protection Act, effective August 1, 2026, strengthens criminal penalties for workplace violence against retail, restaurant, and customer-facing employees. While the law doesn't mandate new compliance programs, businesses should understand how enhanced penalties for assault and battery apply to their workforce and consider integrating these protections into existing safety practices.

The Trump Administration has introduced a groundbreaking framework allowing vetted U.S. cybersecurity companies to conduct government-supervised offensive cyber operations against transnational criminal organizations. This unprecedented initiative raises critical questions about liability allocation, operational oversight, and the practical implications for private-sector firms considering participation in government-directed cyber surveillance and disruption activities.

The Department of Justice has implemented its first-ever Department-wide Corporate Enforcement Policy, fundamentally reshaping how companies navigate voluntary self-disclosure, cooperation, and remediation across all criminal matters. This comprehensive mid-year analysis examines the new three-path framework, explores critical enforcement developments in FCPA, export controls, trade fraud, and healthcare, and reveals how recent resolutions signal both opportunities and heightened risks for corporate complia

A federal court in Illinois has ruled that violations of the DOJ's Bulk Sensitive Data rule can serve as the predicate tort to overcome the Electronic Communications Privacy Act's one-party consent defense. This decision creates new litigation exposure for digital advertising platforms and data brokers that transfer sensitive personal data to entities in countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela.

Given the rarity of the Child Victims Act cases being tried, it is important to take note of the few that see their way to a jury verdict. Readers can compare two recent cases: T.F. v. Clarkstown Central School District, 032990/2021 (Sup. Ct., Rockland Co. 2021), in which the jury returned a defense verdict, and A.P. v. City of New York, 512233/2021 (Sup. Ct., Kings Co. 2020)...

Federal law requires most non-U.S. citizens aged 18 and older to carry proof of immigration registration at all times, with noncompliance potentially resulting in criminal penalties. This guide explains what documents qualify as acceptable evidence, how to respond when approached by immigration officials, and the rights and obligations that apply to both noncitizens and U.S. citizens during encounters with ICE, CBP, and other enforcement agencies.

The EPA has published a comprehensive report cataloging its criminal regulatory offenses across major environmental statutes, following President Trump's executive order aimed at combating overcriminalization in federal regulations.

The United States has historically treated child sexual abuse as aberrational, yet the greatest danger often comes from trusted figures in a child's daily life.