Criminal Copyright Infringement lawyer Near Me

If you are searching for a Criminal Copyright Infringement lawyer near you, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides experienced federal criminal defense for clients facing charges under 18 U.S.C. § 2319 and related statutes. Federal copyright prosecutions are serious matters handled exclusively in U.S. District Courts—not state courts—and the U.S. Attorney’s Office brings the full weight of federal investigative and sentencing resources. Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of the firm, and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in federal courts throughout Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. Whether your case calls the Eastern District of Virginia, the Western District of Virginia, the District of Maryland, the District of New Jersey, or the Southern or Eastern Districts of New York, the firm’s multi-state presence allows it to serve clients across a broad region. To request a consultation, call (888) 437-7747. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. – Advocacy Without Borders.

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder

Admitted in Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York

Practicing since 1997

Last reviewed: July 2026

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What Criminal Copyright Infringement Means in Federal Court

Criminal copyright infringement is charged under federal law, not under state statutes. The primary statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2319, establishes penalties for willful infringement of copyright for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain. Cases are investigated by agencies such as the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section before being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the appropriate federal district.

Because federal jurisdiction is nationwide, the location of the alleged conduct determines which U.S. District Court hears the matter. Clients in Virginia may face charges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (Alexandria, Richmond, Norfolk, or Newport News divisions) or the Western District of Virginia (Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, and Danville). In Maryland, cases go to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland (Baltimore or Greenbelt divisions). Washington, D.C., matters are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. New Jersey cases arise in the District of New Jersey (Newark, Camden, or Trenton), and New York cases proceed in districts such as the Southern or Eastern District of New York. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Appears in all of these federal courts.

Federal sentencing operates under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and there is no parole in the federal system. A conviction can lead to substantial incarceration, fines, restitution, and forfeiture. Early engagement with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney is critical; the investigation stage, before indictment, often presents the most meaningful opportunities to shape the course of the case.

Criminal copyright infringement is prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 2319, with penalties that can include significant imprisonment and fines.

Source: 18 U.S.C. § 2319. United States Code

Reviewed by Mr. Sris, admitted in VA/MD/DC/NJ/NY.

How Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys Handle Federal Copyright Cases

Federal copyright investigations often begin with search warrants, subpoenas, or interviews by FBI agents. The early response—before charges are filed—can materially affect whether an indictment is returned and what charges are brought. Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys work to engage with the Assistant U.S. Attorney and the investigating agencies at the earliest possible stage, presenting mitigating facts, examining whether the government’s evidence meets the statutory elements, and preserving the client’s rights.

The procedural path in federal court moves through an initial appearance, a detention hearing, a preliminary hearing or grand jury indictment, arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, and, if necessary, trial. At each phase, the firm’s approach is shaped by Mr. Sris’s background as a former prosecutor and his understanding of how the government builds its case. His earlier training in accounting and information systems also gives him a working familiarity with the financial and digital evidence that often forms the backbone of a copyright-infringement prosecution. The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys contribute additional perspectives from prior prosecution, law-enforcement, and complex-litigation backgrounds.

Throughout the matter, the firm focuses on challenging the government’s proof, pursuing factual and legal defenses, and negotiating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office where that serves the client’s interests. No outcome can ever be promised, and every case depends on its own facts, but the firm’s goal is to secure the most favorable resolution the circumstances allow.

About Mr. Sris and the Firm’s Of Counsel Attorneys

Mr. Sris, Owner and Founder of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C., has been practicing since the firm’s founding in 1997. He is a former prosecutor and is admitted to the bars of Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, New Jersey, and New York. His legislative involvement is a matter of public record: Mr. Sris testified before the Virginia House Courts of Justice Committee in support of 2019 HB 635 (chief patron Del. David Bulova). That background, together with his formal education in accounting and information systems, informs his approach to federal cases involving intellectual property and digital evidence.

The firm’s Of Counsel attorneys are independent practitioners, not associates or partners. They contract directly with the firm and bring their own substantial trial and investigative experience to federal criminal matters. Several have served previously as prosecutors or as state and local law-enforcement officers, giving them a detailed understanding of how investigations are built. Together with Mr. Sris, they represent clients across the five states and the District of Columbia. To discuss a federal copyright-infringement matter, call (888) 437-7747.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is criminal copyright infringement under federal law?

Criminal copyright infringement is a federal offense defined by 18 U.S.C. § 2319, making it a crime to willfully infringe a copyright for commercial advantage or private financial gain. The statute covers reproduction or distribution of copyrighted works—such as software, music, films, or written material—without authorization. It is prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, not by state prosecutors, and may involve FBI or Homeland Security investigations. Conviction can result in significant imprisonment, fines, and restitution orders.

Do I need a federal criminal defense lawyer for a copyright infringement charge?

Yes—federal criminal copyright infringement is prosecuted in U.S. District Court under rules that differ substantially from state court, and early legal representation is essential. A federal defense attorney can evaluate the government’s evidence, identify whether the charged conduct meets the statutory elements, and work with the prosecutor before an indictment is returned. Going into a federal investigation without counsel exposes a person to questioning that can be used to build the government’s case. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles federal copyright matters across multiple jurisdictions.

What federal courts hear criminal copyright infringement cases in the firm’s service area?

Mr. Sris and the firm’s Of Counsel attorneys appear in the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia, the District of Maryland, the District of Columbia, the District of New Jersey, and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. The specific court that hears a case is determined by the location where the alleged infringement occurred. The firm’s multi-state admission allows it to represent clients without needing to retain local counsel in those districts.

What should I do if I am under investigation for criminal copyright infringement?

If you are under investigation, do not speak with federal agents until you have consulted a federal criminal defense lawyer. You have the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Statements made to investigators, even casually, can become evidence later. An attorney can communicate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on your behalf, review any search warrant or subpoena, and advise you on how to preserve your rights. For guidance on your specific situation, reach Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747.

Can a federal copyright infringement charge be reduced or dismissed?

While no outcome can be past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, charges may be resolved short of conviction through dismissal, reduction, or a negotiated plea, depending on the facts and the strength of the government’s case. Factors that can influence the outcome include whether the alleged infringement was for commercial gain, the volume of copyrighted works involved, and the defendant’s role. Early engagement with an experienced attorney improves the chance of a favorable resolution by presenting defenses before indictment. Results may vary. In any new matter.

How does a federal copyright infringement case proceed after an arrest or indictment?

After an indictment, the defendant is arraigned, bail or detention is determined, and the case proceeds through discovery, pretrial motions, and potentially trial. The Speedy Trial Act generally requires trial within 70 days of indictment, though many delays are excludable. Federal cases often involve extensive electronic discovery, experienced attorney analysis, and motion practice. Sentencing follows conviction under the advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. Guides clients through each stage. To discuss the details of your matter, call (888) 437-7747.

Representation Across Multiple States

Official Sources

Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Case results depend on a variety of factors unique to each case.