What are Federal Crimes and Federal Courts?
Offenses that specifically break the law on the federal level in the United States are referred to as federal crimes. Federal offenses are prosecuted by government agencies in which the Federal Bureau of Investigation or simply FBI is on the top, and they frequently carry penalties that are significantly harsher than those imposed by the state courts.
Your future may be in jeopardy if you are currently the subject of an investigation by a federal agency (FBI) or if you have already been accused of a crime on federal charges.
Any cases that concern a violation of federal statutes or the constitution of the USA fall under the purview of the court system at the federal level and, as a result, will be prosecuted in federal courts.
This is because the federal court system has jurisdiction over these types of cases. Within the federal court system, there are a total of 94 district courts as well as 13 courts of appeals from the United States.
Common Types of Federal Crimes
The following are some examples of federal crimes that are fairly common and for which you will need the assistance and consultation of a federal criminal attorney before they will agree to represent you in a federal court proceeding.
- Tax evasion,
- Counterfeiting,
- Money laundering,
- Murder,
- Immigration-related offenses,
- Felon in possession of a firearm,
- Drug possession,
- Drug crimes involving the intent to distribute,
- Treason
- Child pornography.
There are additional examples of federal crimes; however, we have only mentioned the most common 10 types of federal crimes.
Why Do I Need a Federal Criminal Attorney?
If you have been charged with a federal crime, it is absolutely necessary for you to select a criminal defense attorney who has previous experience representing clients in cases involving federal crimes. Continue reading to find out the five different reasons why this is the case.
Cases prosecuted at the federal level and those prosecuted at the state level differ from one another in a number of ways.
In the first place, being accused of committing a crime at the federal level is not the same as being accused of a crime in a state court. In federal proceedings, everything is different, from the procedures to the substantive concerns that might make or break the prosecution’s case. The phrase “make or break” refers to procedural and substantive concerns, respectively.
If you want to have any chance of success, you will need to retain the services of a federal criminal defense attorney who has significant experience in the field.
Federal criminal cases difficult to understand
It is common knowledge that cases prosecuted by the federal government are challenging to comprehend. At each stage of the process, including the investigation conducted by the government, the deliberations of the federal grand jury, and the courtroom proceedings, it is necessary to have a comprehensive understanding of the relevant laws and regulations.
Federal criminal cases are dangerous
As was mentioned earlier, proceedings before a federal criminal court are extremely hazardous. There is a possibility that you could spend years or even decades in prison, in addition to suffering terrible financial repercussions.
To summarise, you have far too much to lose if you don’t do everything in your power to protect yourself, and the first step in doing so is to retain the services of an attorney who possesses the necessary skills.
Different ways to reach a positive outcome
Regardless of the specifics of your case, you will always have legal options available to you to use as a defense. If the government is still investigating your case, you may be able to reach a settlement agreement with them before they formally press charges against you.
On the other hand, in order to be successful in this endeavor, you will need to rely on the strategic representation of an experienced attorney.
Limited options to get out of conviction
There are a number of avenues that can be pursued in order to secure a favorable outcome prior to a verdict; however, there are very few opportunities available to challenge a conviction after it has already been rendered.
As a consequence of this, regardless of the specifics of the case, you should not have any expectations that the verdict will be reversed on appeal. If, during the course of your trial, you failed to take any steps to preserve potential grounds for appeal, not even the most skilled appellate attorney will be able to help you.