Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you or someone you know has been charged with a federal criminal crime, you likely have many questions and concerns about the federal criminal justice system, the process, and any potential sentences that could be imposed. As our friends at the leading criminal defense can explain, the federal system is complex and can be confusing, and having an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer standing up to fight for you is absolutely essential to protect your rights and help you make the best decision in terms of your case.
Every state has its own set of laws, and many of the types of crimes you may see on TV or in the newspaper deal with state crimes. These are crimes like burglary, theft, and arson. The federal government also has its own set of laws dealing with criminal activity that impacts things like interstate commerce and federal agencies. Federal crimes could involve distributing or transporting firearms or drugs across state lines, or fraud related activities against organizations like the IRS or Medicaid.
The federal government has many differences to the criminal justice system in any given state, from minor differences like the labels given to the entity prosecuting crimes to more significant differences like timing limitations and the ability to receive and review discovery in a case. One of the most significant differences is the United States Sentencing Guidelines that provide advisory recommendations for sentences of people convicted of federal crimes.
Many federal crimes also carry substantial mandatory minimum sentences or sentencing enhancements, particularly if a person has a prior criminal record. These sentencing factors can drastically increase the possible prison time a person could be facing if convicted of a federal crime. Because of the very high sentence exposure that comes with most federal offenses, having a defense attorney who is familiar with federal criminal defense and who has experience representing clients charged with federal crimes is absolutely crucial.
While there are many criminal defense attorneys who practice at the state level, the differences between state and federal laws are substantial. Make sure you speak to a defense attorney who has experience protecting the rights of clients charged with federal crimes, to have the best possible outcome in your case.
