Federal Crimes
A majority of criminal charges are filed by local law enforcement and heard in state court. However, in some situations, the federal government can step in to pursue the charges against a person. These federal charges then are prosecuted in federal court. They often carry harsher penalties and can have a long-lasting impact on a person’s life.
Different laws and proceedings govern these situations, and not all lawyers are licensed to represent clients at a federal level. It is important to work with a team of attorneys that is experienced in the challenges of federal court.
The nationally recognized attorneys at Goldstein & Orr in San Antonio, TX, have defended clients in federal court on various criminal charges.
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Antonio, TX
At the federal level, law enforcement agencies are better funded than at the state or local level. Federal agents and prosecutors have tremendous resources at each stage of the investigation and prosecution. In many of these cases, the investigation begins years before an arrest is made. Individuals under federal investigation often know about the pending investigation, especially in white collar crimes.
When you first learn of the investigation you should immediately seek out a consultation with an experienced Federal criminal defense attorney. The attorneys at Goldstein & Orr are experienced in representing clients throughout the U.S District Court, Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division. We also have represented clients in serious federal prosecutions across the state of Texas and the United States.
At Goldstein & Orr, each of our attorneys have significant experience fighting to protect our clients in federal investigations and prosecutions. From the negotiations that take place early in the investigation to the filing of criminal charges to the jury trial, our attorneys have successfully represented clients at each stage of the federal criminal case.
Call (210) 226-1463 for a free consultation.
Information on Criminal Charges in U.S. District Court
Federal Crimes vs. State Crimes
Although certain similarities exist between cases prosecuted in state courts or federal court, there are important differences. Your attorney should be completely familiar with the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Federal Guidelines, the particular federal criminal statutes involved in your case and even local rules that govern trial procedures and courtroom proceedings.
In federal cases, certain federal sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimum penalties exist. In most cases, the penalties and punishments for federal charges are more serious than state charges, especially in drug trafficking and child pornography cases.
Federal criminal investigations are typically conducted by federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Postal Service, Customs and Boarder Protection and Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS).
On the other hand, investigations of violations of state laws are typically conducted by law enforcement officers at the local, county or state level such as the sheriff’s office of a local police department.
Types of Federal Crimes
Federal crimes are defined as those crimes that violate the federal statutes and satisfy federal jurisdictional requirements. For a federal court to have jurisdiction over the case, the crime must fall under a constitutional grant of authority, impact interstate commerce or occur on land owned or controlled by the federal government.
For example, there are several types of drug offenses that can be considered federal crimes. Other examples of federal crimes include:
- Drug Crimes and Trafficking Offenses
- Child Pornography
- White Collar Crimes
- Money Laundering
- Securities Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Tax Fraud
- Tax Evasion
- Heath Care Fraud
- International Crimes
A person also can be convicted of conspiracy to commit a federal offense, if prosecutors can prove he or she assisted with the commission of a crime under U.S. Code, including fraud or drug trafficking.
Additional Resources
Federal Bar Association – With more than 15,000 federal lawyers and judges, the Federal Bar Association (FBA) serves the needs of the federal practitioner, the federal judiciary, and the public they serve.
A Brief Description of the Federal Criminal Justice Process – The FBI provides a detailed describes the process from the initial report of criminal misconduct to the initial interviews, the arrest, complaints, the filing of charges, preliminary hearings, indictments, arraignment, through sentencing.
Offices of the United States Attorneys’ Office – Find information on the United States Attorneys’ Office including a weekly spotlight on U.S. Attorneys throughout the United States, the Department of Justice Action Center, a summary of recent cases resolved with a description of the sentence imposed by the court, and additional resources.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Federal Prosecutions in San Antonio, TX
If you are under investigation or charged with any offense in federal court, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Goldstein & Orr. Our federal criminal defense lawyers represent clients in the U.S. District Courts throughout the State of Texas, including the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division.
Call (210) 226-1463 today for a free consultation.
