How Does Federal Court Differ From State Court?
March 26, 2020COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Message From Birrell Law
April 13, 2020
When someone has violated federal criminal law, the case will be prosecuted in a federal court. Federal prosecutors typically have lighter caseloads than state prosecutors. They have the support of federal law enforcement agencies and have many other resources at their disposal. If you’re in a situation like this, you need the support of a federal criminal lawyer. They have the resources and experience needed to build a strong defense for you.
Anyone that’s convicted of a federal offense will face federal prison time and fines. Restitution may also be required. Being convicted of a federal crime can have many other consequences as well. It can have a negative impact professionally and socially, and it could wind up changing the course of your life. That’s why you’ll want to choose the right lawyer to represent you.
Why It’s Important To Hire A Federal Criminal Attorney
There are many types of crimes that are classified as federal criminal violations. These include white-collar crimes and certain types of drug offenses. Any federal crime will be investigated by a federal law enforcement agencies. Examples of these agencies include the IRS, DEA, SEC, ATF, and FBI. These cases must be prosecuted by the federal justice department. Facing these kinds of charges can be terrifying.
Typically federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors have smaller caseloads than state officers do. Furthermore, they have a greater number of resources that they can access. The people that work for these agencies have specialized training, and agents typically focus on specific types of federal crimes. Offenses these agencies handle include human trafficking, child pornography, conspiracy violations, and drug crimes. Because of this, it’s essential for you to work with a skilled and experienced attorney that is willing to fight for you.
If you’re the subject of a federal investigation, or if you’ve been charged with a federal crime, you need to reach out to a federal criminal attorney immediately. Meet with a lawyer so they can tell you more about what they can do to help you.
White Collar Crimes
People often assume that white-collar crimes are less severe than other types of crimes, including crimes that are typically prosecuted at a state level. However, these crimes are viewed in a serious light by the federal government. The punishments for white-collar crimes are often very severe.
What is a white-collar crime? It’s a type of nonviolent crime in which the defendant engaged in fraudulent behaviors or schemes for their own financial gain. Because white-collar crimes are perceived as serious by the federal government, they work hard to investigate and prosecute these types of crimes. Anyone that has been charged with a crime like this will want to meet with a federal criminal lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney will be able to talk over your options with you. A law firm that specializes in federal criminal cases will also have the resourced needed to defend you.
Examples of federal white-collar crimes include:
* Money laundering
* Defrauding government programs
* Online fraud
* Embezzlement
* Mortgage fraud
* Conspiracy
* Securities fraud
* Insurance fraud
* Medicare fraud
* Bankruptcy fraud
* Violating environmental law
* Financial fraud
* Telemarketing fraud
* Bribery
* Tax Evasion
The Consequences For Federal White-Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are taken very seriously by both federal prosecutors and law enforcement agencies. Although these crimes are nonviolent in nature, they can be devastating for victims. Families and businesses can experience significant losses because of the fraudulent actions of white-collar criminals. As a result of this, these types of offenses have serious consequences. If someone is convicted of a white-collar crime, they will be facing severe penalties.
If you’re currently being investigated for a federal crime by a federal law enforcement agency, the outcome of the investigation and trial could impact the rest of your life. If you are convicted, the penalties you are facing could include:
* Mandatory minimum federal prison sentences
* Significant fines
* Forfeiture of assets
* Paying restitution
* Supervision from a parole officer
The consequences of a federal conviction can impact your life even after your sentence has been completed. Potential consequences could include:
* Employment restrictions
* Restrictions on travel
* Losing professional licenses
You Can Get The Assistance You Need From A Federal Criminal Lawyer
Experienced federal criminal attorneys are able to build strong defenses for federal crimes. These crimes could involve search and seizure, suspect confessions, and they could have issues with entrapment. Your attorney can attack the evidence that the prosecution has obtained if the U.S. Constitution was violated when evidence was being collected. If a challenge is successful, a case could be dismissed. This could also provide you with leverage when making a plea bargain agreement, which means the penalties you are facing could be reduced.
The laws regulated federal crimes can be more complicated than the procedures and laws that are used for state crimes. You’ll want to work with an experienced federal criminal attorney that has successfully defended many people that have been accused of a federal crime.
