Felony charges have serious consequences; a conviction can impact your life for many years. Facing federal crimes charges often has an adverse impact on family members and employment prospects even if the case never makes it to trial. Family members and friends often stigmatize a person arrested or arraigned on felony charges. This effect can persist even if the charges are dropped. The devastation that comes with a conviction carries stiff consequences, as evidenced in the sentencing handbook used by many federal judges. [1]
Legal counsel is a right under the U.S. Constitution’s Sixth Amendment. [2] However, the right to legal counsel when facing criminal prosecution for a felony doesn’t guarantee the quality of the lawyer. The federal criminal attorney is a specialist who understands the differences between the state and federal court systems. The best lawyer will have a track record of proven success when opposed by a federal prosecutor. Our law firm offers clients the best defense strategies for legal representation within the federal court system.
Criminal Defense Attorney, Federal Crimes
The complexity of the legal system only increases at the federal level. The procedures used in the federal court system are significantly different from those used at the state level, for example. Procedural errors can cause delays in the case, and this lost time can be quite expensive.
Other common mistakes include filing motions incorrectly and missing deadlines. The cost of these mistakes may include jail time while waiting for the trial; defendants tend to prefer to spend this waiting period at home. The federal criminal lawyer is responsible for ensuring that all of the legal paperwork is handled correctly in order to ensure the most positive outcomes possible in your case.
Pre-Trial Settlement Offers
Criminal defense attorneys handling federal cases can bargain on your behalf to get the charges reduced. This is a significant legal strategy because misdemeanors can be expunged from your criminal record; however, felony charges are here to stay, absent a pardon from a Governor. Most cases will get settled without a trial, so this option might come up in conversations with your federal criminal defense attorney.
Plea bargains are built into the system as an alternative to a trial where an aggressive federal prosecutor will push hard for a guilty verdict. The number of cases that actually go to trial is around 2 percent, and that says a lot about how the pre-trial settlement system works. There is a catch: If you never go to trial, there is no way to know if the federal judge would have ruled in your favor. This option is made attractive by the promise to reduce the charges, but it comes at the cost of accepting a reduced penalty.
The value of consultation with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney is to go through all of these options, and evaluate the merits of each approach. Your attorney might have a solid strategy for shredding the federal prosecutor’s arguments in court, but this won’t matter if the defendant caves into pressure to settle out-of-court during pre-trial bargaining. If the case gets dismissed, the charges are dropped altogether. Legal counsel is there to assist you in making these tough decisions.
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer, Hiring Process
Selecting a federal criminal defense lawyer is a major part of building your case. There is no time to spare, yet it’s important to avoid rushing into hiring the first lawyer who expresses interest in your case. Inexperienced lawyers often jump at the first sign of a client even if they’re ill-prepared to handle the complexity of the case.
Interview each prospective lawyer equally, and take some time to think deeply about their answers to your questions. This small preparation will pay off down the road as you see the criminal defense lawyer’s performance in the federal courtroom. The outcome of this choice can affect your quality of life, relationships and future employment prospects; don’t make this decision lightly.
Qualities of a tenacious federal crimes defense lawyer include:
Communication skills: This attorney must be capable and willing to communicate openly and honestly about the case. This also includes explaining particular legal terms and jargon, as relevant to the case.
Proven experience: The track record of the federal criminal defense attorney should be readily available to the public. Never trust your future to an inexperienced lawyer going up against the federal court system for the first time.
Similar caseload: Ensure that the federal criminal defense lawyer you hire has a proven ability to successfully litigate cases that are similar to yours.
The process of selecting your defense attorney should be done with a great deal of thought and deliberation. Make sure you write down a list of questions that matter the most in your case. Ask about how long the lawyer has been in practice and how often do the cases go to trial, for example. Make specific inquiries about previous cases that were similar to the one you’re facing.
This process will help you to figure out where the attorney’s focus is being placed. Legal cases are often complex, and most lawyers’ specialization tendencies reveal themselves in their previous history. Federal criminal lawyers are specialized to handle criminal cases involving felony charges; don’t hire a lawyer without this necessary experience.
Federal Defense Attorney, Sacramento
Legal representation is essential for anyone facing felony charges. [3] Each federal crimes case is unique, so your defense strategy should meet the specific contours of your case. Federal charges are serious, and the consequences can be severe; trust your case to the most qualified and experienced federal criminal defense attorney. Our law firm offers a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ussc.gov/guidelines
[2] https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/billofrights
[3] https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-3/
