If you are being investigated by a federal agency such as the FBI, the DEA or the IRS, then it is crucial that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Specifically, it is important to have a criminal defense attorney with experience in federal court. Federal criminal charges are handled differently than state criminal charges, and not all criminal defense attorneys handle federal cases.
Federal authorities tend to conduct a thorough investigation before a charge is ever brought, and this often means that defendants are up against a significant amount of evidence. However, because federal investigations are typically lengthy, it may be possible for a federal criminal defense attorney to intervene early in the process to protect the defendant’s rights. Keep in mind, too, that there is no rule saying that you have to wait to be charged before you begin mounting a defense.
State and federal cases are also different in that federal judges have less discretion in sentencing. Whether you are charged with a federal tax crime, drug crime, white-collar crime or Internet crime, you are likely facing a possible prison sentence and other penalties. However, there is sometimes room for deviation from the federal sentencing guidelines, and any individual accused of a federal offense should have an attorney with in-depth knowledge of how the guidelines work.
The Figueroa Law Firm works to protect the rights and freedom of Florida residents facing federal criminal charges. The stakes are high in these cases, and defendants need someone on their side to fight for them. To learn more about our law practice, please visit our Federal Vs. State Crimes overview.