Last Updated on: 20th October 2023, 07:51 pm

Colorado Springs Federal Criminal Lawyers

If you’ve been charged with a federal crime in Colorado Springs, you need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney on your side. Federal charges are no joke – the federal government has tons more resources than state prosecutors, and federal sentencing guidelines can be a lot harsher. Don’t go it alone against the feds! Read on to learn more about federal crimes, defenses, and how a knowledgeable federal criminal lawyer can help you in Colorado Springs.

Types of Federal Crimes

There are lots of crimes that can be charged as federal offenses in Colorado Springs, including:

• Drug crimes like trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, and possession
• White collar crimes like fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion
• Violent crimes that occur on federal property
• Weapons charges like illegal possession of firearms
• Cybercrimes like hacking, identity theft, and computer fraud

The feds have jurisdiction over federal lands and properties in Colorado Springs, like military bases, national forests, post offices, and more. Crimes committed in those places can lead to federal charges. The FBI also gets involved in corruption, civil rights violations, organized crime, and other offenses that have a nationwide impact.

Penalties for Federal Convictions

If convicted of a federal felony in Colorado Springs, you can face some steep punishments like:

• Years or decades in federal prison
• Massive fines, sometimes in the millions
• Forfeiture of assets obtained illegally
• Lifetime probation or parole

Federal judges use sentencing guidelines to determine penalties. The guidelines take into account things like your criminal history, role in the offense, whether violence was involved, financial impact, etc. Sentences can be increased through “enhancements” or reduced through “departures.”

Unlike state courts, federal judges have very little flexibility to go outside the guidelines. Mandatory minimum sentences are common too, especially for drug crimes. With so much at stake, having an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer is critical.

Fighting Federal Charges in Colorado Springs

The best chance at beating federal charges starts with a strong defense strategy. Here are some of the most common defenses used against federal crimes:

Duress

You can argue you only broke the law because of threats against you or your family. This is used mainly in drug cases where people transport or distribute drugs because a cartel or gang forced them to.

Entrapment

This claims you were induced by law enforcement to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise. It’s used a lot when informants convince people to participate in a drug deal or other illegal act.

False statements

If you’re accused of lying to federal agents, you may be able to show the statements were literally true, even if misleading. Or that you corrected any false info later on.

Self-defense

For assault, murder, or weapons charges, you may claim you acted in self-defense against threats of violence. Deadly force has to be proportional to the threat faced.

Mistake of fact

You can argue you didn’t have criminal intent because you were unaware of important facts. Like if you thought someone was of legal age or that a substance wasn’t illegal.

Statute of limitations

Federal crimes have deadlines for how long charges can be filed after an offense. If it’s past the statute of limitations, the case could potentially be dismissed.

An experienced federal criminal defense lawyer will know how and when to assert these defenses strategically. They’ll also look for ways to get evidence suppressed or charges reduced or dismissed through procedural challenges.

Why Hire a Federal Criminal Lawyer in Colorado Springs?

Going up against federal prosecutors is daunting, but a good lawyer levels the playing field. Benefits of hiring federal criminal defense counsel include:

• We know how to navigate complex federal laws and procedures
• We’ve handled federal cases before and aren’t intimidated by the government
• We understand federal sentencing guidelines and how to craft persuasive departures
• We have good relationships with federal prosecutors and agencies
• We’re aggressive litigators who aren’t afraid to take cases to trial
• We have access to top expert witnesses and investigators

Plus, federal crimes often involve tons of documentation – financial records, phone logs, surveillance footage, etc. An experienced attorney knows how to dig through it all to build the strongest defense.

Finding the Right Federal Criminal Lawyer in Colorado Springs

When looking for a federal criminal defense lawyer, be sure to ask:

• Do you have experience with my specific charges in federal court?
• What’s your track record of case results?
• Will you be the lead attorney on my case or hand it off?
• How often do you negotiate pleas vs. take cases to trial?
• Are you willing to fight against mandatory minimum sentences?

Also look for someone who makes you feel comfortable and seems genuinely concerned about your case. Trust your gut – a good lawyer-client relationship is critical.

For dedicated federal criminal defense in Colorado Springs, contact the experienced attorneys at [Law Firm Name]. We have an impressive record of favorable outcomes and are ready to start fighting for you. Don’t wait – call today for a free case evaluation!

References

Federal Crimes – District of Colorado | U.S. Department of Justice

Colorado Federal Crime Defense Lawyers | Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys in CO

2016 Federal Sentencing Guidelines Manual | Justia