Felony charges can seem intimidating, and the penalties for being found guilty are quite serious. Anyone accused of a felony has the right to legal counsel under the U.S. Constitution.[1] The charges can change the trajectory of your career and personal relationships, so having an effective defense lawyer is absolutely paramount.
However, it’s important to understand the different kinds of lawyers in order to contact the right type of attorney to handle your case. Some research and planning might be necessary, but this will pay off in the long run. This attorney will function as your voice in the federal court system, and the stakes are very high. Make sure you have the best legal representation possible in Charlotte.
The criminal defense attorney understands the legal codes that govern the federal courts. A felony charge means that your case will be heard in the federal system, which is different than state courts. Even though the defendant is considered to be innocent until proven guilty, the court system is structured in an adversarial manner.
This gives the federal prosecutor a great amount of room to attempt to characterize your personality as someone likely to have committed the crime, for example. Defense against such attacks on your character is one of the many skills that your criminal defense attorney must possess.
Criminal Defense Attorney, Felony Charges
The federal criminal defense attorney is responsible for protecting your rights during any legal proceeding. This often means defending your case against the federal prosecutor, but it can also imply the responsibility to file court paperwork correctly and within the specified deadlines.
For example, filing a motion must be done correctly, or the case won’t proceed as expected. Additional delays often happen when court documents aren’t filed by the deadline. These small mistakes can have a ripple effect on your case, so it’s important to assess the character of your federal criminal defense attorney well before you decide to hire this person to represent you in federal court.
Federal Courts, Processes and Protocols
Federal prosecutors have the job of attempting to find the person charged with a felony as guilty beyond any doubt. This puts the bulk of the burden for proving the case on the federal prosecutor; however, these are professionals who often have ambitions that lead them to pursue cases aggressively. They often seek the most punitive sentences from the federal judges.
The judges also refer frequently to a sentencing guideline that recommend stiff penalties for federal offenses. In fact, by the time the case gets to court, the government has already used substantial resources in order to mount a serious and convincing case against you. [2] These are the forces that must be defeated in order for you to regain your freedom. The federal criminal defense lawyer is your advocate in this system; make sure to choose someone who earns your trust and confidence.
Criminal Defense Attorney in Charlotte
The time it takes to level the playing field in this situation can be considerable. It’s important to prepare your defense in a thoughtful and deliberated manner. The defense attorney can introduce you to various strategies while seeking your feedback, for example. This process requires you to have a good rapport with the federal defense lawyer handling your case. Make sure to interview this lawyer during the initial stages while keeping in mind that this is the person who might have your future in their hands.
Rules and Procedures in Federal Court
There are a variety of rules and procedures that must be followed by anyone facing felony charges. The criminal defense attorney is trained to understand how to follow these court protocols while upholding your rights under the law. [2] The procedural rules cover a range of actions.
This includes filing motions, presenting evidence, gathering and submitting documents, and more. An experienced criminal defense lawyer understands how to follow these procedures in order to prevent any harm to the case from procedural errors. This is a big part of the system works, so It’s important to evaluate your federal defense lawyer based on the ability to maintain accurate records and documents.
These rules are significantly different from the processes used in state courts. The state prosecutor often pursues charges against people facing allegations like assault, theft, murder, vandalism, traffic citations and other crimes. These cases often overwhelm the ability of the state prosecutors to pursue them to the fullest degree possible.
The situation is different at the federal level; the federal prosecutor has plenty of time to build an effective case against you. The resources available are also significant, so your federal defense attorney must meet or exceed the efforts put into the case by the prosecutor.
Criminal Defense Attorney in Charlotte
The federal criminal defense attorney represents your interests during the legal proceedings and in the federal courtroom. This can be a stressful time of your life, so it’s important to work with an attorney who earns your confidence by explaining the best legal defense strategy for your situation. The questions you ask during the intimal meeting should attempt to reveal the type of person you want to work with on the case.
Some people want to be represented by an aggressive attorney that has a knack for influencing the way people view events, for example. Others might prefer to be represented in federal court by a lawyer with a proven track record of success, regardless of their personality type. This is a very influential decision to make, so think about what type of attorney wins your confidence. Our law firm has the track record and experience necessary to handle the toughest cases, so contact us today.[3]
Citations:
[1] https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-6/
[2] https://www.ussc.gov/guidelines
[3] https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/usao-ri/legacy/2011/04/04/ri_federal_criminal_brochure.pdf
