Flight Crew Interference Defense
Stockton, California Criminal Attorney Allen Sawyer
The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer operate from offices in Stockton, Sacramento, and San Jose, to provide clients across the state of California with top-notch state and federal criminal defense. Federal criminal defense attorney Allen Sawyer is prepared to provide uncompromising federal defense for flight crew interference cases.
Knowledgeable Defense Against Flight Crew Interference Charges
Interfering with flight crew members’ ability to conduct their duties onboard a plane in the jurisdiction of the United States is considered a serious federal crime that could result in a felony conviction. With potential conviction penalties that include fines ranging from the tens to the hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even prison time, it is imperative that anyone charged with flight crew interference immediately seek the advice of a knowledgeable federal criminal defense attorney. Allen Sawyer is a skilled federal criminal defense lawyer in California who is thoroughly versed in the federal laws related to flight crew interference and is equipped to develop a strong defense for your federal flight crew interference case.
On a Flight, What Qualifies As Interference
Any act that hinders members of an aircraft’s flight crew (such as pilots and flight attendants) from performing their duties, or any attempt or conspiracy to do so, may constitute interference. This hindering or interference can involve a range of actions, including intimidation, threats, or even assault; such actions are violations of federal law and can result in a felony conviction as well an imposition of heavy fines from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Flight Crew Interference
…is generally considered a civil offense. Actions that amount to interference may include any of the following examples:
- Using offensive or threatening language with flight crew members
- Repeatedly ignoring, arguing, or disobeying instructions from flight crew members
- Physically obstructing a flight crew member from moving
Flight Crew Assault
Actions that have escalated to the level of physical assault (or the threat of assault) are considered a criminal offense and may include:
- Striking a flight crew member
- Using a dangerous weapon against a flight crew member
- Wrestling or restraining a flight crew member
- Any touching of a flight crew member
Successfully Fighting Federal Crimes
California Criminal Defense Attorney Allen Sawyer
Flight Crew Interference Is a Federal Offense.
Federal laws exist to protect flight crew members and airline passengers, which means it’s a federal offense to engage in flight crew interference. According to 14 CFR § § 91.11, 121.580, 135.1201 of the FAA’s federal regulations, any threatening, intimidating, assaulting, or otherwise interfering with a flight crew member’s performance while on an operating aircraft is considered flight crew interference and is prohibited; moreover, as outlined in 49 U.S.C. § 46504, anyone on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who engages in flight crew interference and thereby inhibits the ability of flight crew members from performing their duties will be subject to fines and or imprisonment.
- Penalty for Flight Crew Interference—a fine of up to $25,000
- Penalty for Assault of a Flight Crew Member—a prison sentence of up to 20 years (or, potentially, up to life in prison, if a dangerous weapon is used) and a fine of up to $250,000
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Contact an Attorney Now
If you’ve been notified of a proposed civil penalty for flight crew interference, or if you have been charged with assaulting a flight crew member, immediately secure a trusted federal criminal defense lawyer who has experience in flight crew interference cases. Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Allen Sawyer will walk you through your options and do his utmost to ensure the best possible outcome. Don’t wait: Contact The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer today for a free initial consultation.