Corydon Law Research Desk — Federal Criminal Defense Reference

Federal Criminal Defense Practice

Reference coverage of federal practice in the Southern District of California, Central District of California, and District of Arizona. The core authorities — 18 U.S.C. § 371, 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure — are quoted from their primary sources in the block below.

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Primary sources

• 18 U.S.C. § 371 — text of the statute or rule as published by law.cornell.edu (law.cornell.edu). Verbatim: “If two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”
• 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) — text of the statute or rule as published by law.cornell.edu (law.cornell.edu). Verbatim: “The court shall impose a sentence sufficient, but not greater than necessary, to comply with the purposes set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection. The court, in determining the particular sentence to be imposed, shall consider— (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense and the history and characteristics of the defendant; (2) the need for the sentence imposed— (A) to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense; (B) to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct; (C) to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and (D) to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner;”
• Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure — text of the statute or rule as published by uscourts.gov (uscourts.gov). Verbatim: “The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure govern criminal proceedings and prosecutions in the U.S. district courts, the courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court.”

Sources listed above were accessed and verified on August 20, 2026. Statutes and rules are quoted from the linked primary pages as published on that date. Information on this site is general in nature and is not legal advice.