Federal Case Made Out of Fish Goes to U.S. Supreme Court, Fisherman Needs Criminal Justice Attorney

John Yates is a fisherman who was out on the water with his crew. He was fishing for grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. Officer Jones boarded the boat to check the sizes of the fish. Jones believed that the fisherman were keeping fish smaller than the 20-inch minimum. Jones found 72 grouper that were under the 20 inch minimum. Jones ordered the fish off the boat to check them once on main land. When the boat came on the mainland, Jones did not think the fish were the same fish he saw on the boat and thought Yates tossed the fish overboard and replaced them with larger fish.

Three years after the incident, police came and put Yates in handcuffs. They came with guns and bulletproof vests. Yates was convicted of destroying evidence to impede a federal investigation and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. He then appealed to the Supreme Court. Arguments were heard this past week and a decision will be made by next summer. He was charged under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Yates argued that the law is only meant to apply to documents and records and that fish do not fall under the act. The government argued that the law is intended to be a broad any-obstruction law and that the plain language of the statute would include the fish. Yates then argued that a fish is not a tangible object under the statute. The Supreme Court Justices will have to determine whether the government went overboard in prosecuting Yates and whether the fish fall under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

If you have been charged with a crime in federal court, contact a criminal justice attorney. A criminal justice attorney will be able to defend your rights. Max Keller is a criminal justice attorney in Minnesota. He is also licensed to practice law in federal court and successfully argued and won several cases in the Minnesota Supreme Court. Contact Keller Criminal Defense Attorneys for a free consultation. Call 952-913-1421 today.

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Understanding Solicitation and Enticement Laws in Minnesota

Recently, a sex sting operation in Bloomington, Minnesota, led to the arrest of at least 14 men, including former Minnesota Senator Justin Eichorn. The operation involved undercover officers posing as minors online, engaging with individuals who sought to solicit sexual conduct. 

Accused of Criminal Sexual Conduct at a Minnesota College? What You Need to Know

You will go through a disciplinary hearing if you have been accused of criminal sexual conduct at a Minnesota college. The college disciplinary board will conduct the hearing under Title IX law. This federal law requires learning institutions to investigate and resolve student sexual misconduct separately from concurrent or related criminal proceedings. The college administration will punish you appropriately if the hearing determines that you contravened the sexual consent policies under the college’s Code of Conduct. The punishment can range from suspension and college-imposed probationary period to expulsion and compulsory sexual education classes.

Busted at a Music Festival? What Happens If You’re Caught With Club Drugs in Minnesota

One question you may ask when planning to attend an upcoming music festival is: What happens if I’m caught with club drugs in Minnesota? The legal consequences of getting busted with drugs at a music festival include an arrest, criminal charges, a fine, and imprisonment. Beyond the legal consequences, a drug crime charge or conviction can lower your chances of securing employment, housing, and student loans. It may also strain your relationships with family, friends, and society.