Federal charges can lead to incredibly difficult legal battles. The federal court system is well established and conviction rates in federal court remain high to this day. Federal prosecutors often have training and experience that can make them difficult to beat without legal help in your corner.
You can get the advice you need from the Simmrin Law Group. Our federal crimes lawyers in Burbank understand your situation. We’ve built a reputation on winning cases for our clients and we’re ready to put our resources to work for you.
State Courts vs. Federal Courts
You may have realized that some charges can be filed in either state court or federal court and wondered why this was. Generally, state charges can be elevated to federal court if they are particularly severe. For example, charges with claims of $75,000 or more are generally handled at the federal level.
Cases may also be moved to federal court if they cross state lines or if the U.S. is a party to the case. Examples of charges that can be handled at the state or federal level include:
- Child Pornography
- Antitrust Violations
- Federal Gun Offenses
Note that there are some cases where you can actually face criminal charges for the same act in both state and federal court. Federal property crimes are criminal acts that take place on land owned by the federal government. Because of the location where these acts take place, you can end up charged twice.
Federal courts generally hand down harsher verdicts than state courts. For example, here are the charges you could face for child pornography:
- State Charge: 1-8 years in prison
- Federal Charge: 5-30 years in prison
Dealing with any federal charge on your own can cost you years of your life. You could be left with incredibly high fines. Make sure you’re ready to defend yourself by contacting a criminal defense lawyer in Burbank as soon as you can.
Fraud Charges in Federal Court
Some forms of fraud can be prosecuted at the state level, but many others can only be handled by federal courts. Examples of federal fraud charges include:
- Bank Fraud
- Bankruptcy Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Wire Fraud
Fraudulent acts such as identity theft are also typically tried in the federal court system. Convictions in federal fraud cases can result in the following penalties:
- Fines: $5,000 – $1 million
- Imprisonment: 5 – 30 years
Additional Federal Charges in Burbank
The federal court system is also typically responsible for handling cases that cover immigration law. While the state of California has laws that support immigration, it is not a sanctuary state. This means that you can face serious difficulties related to deportation in some circumstances.
The following criminal acts are also prosecuted through in the federal system:
Conspiracy
Conspiracy takes place when two or more people plan to commit a crime as a group. You can face conspiracy charges even if you never carry out the crime. Depending on your situation, you could be sentenced to the death penalty if you are convicted of conspiracy.
Money Laundering
Individuals participate in money laundering when they make illegally obtained money look as though it was legitimately earned. You could be fined $500,000 and sentenced to 20 years in prison for a money laundering conviction.
Counterfeiting
You can be charged with counterfeiting for making false documents or money and trying to pass them off as the real thing. A conviction can lead to 25 years in prison and fines of $250,000.
Bank Robbery
Bank robbery charges can apply anytime someone robs a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association. You can end up sentenced to life in prison and faced with incredibly high fines if you are convicted of bank robbery.
Get Help Handling Federal Charges Today
A federal charge doesn’t have to derail your entire life. Make sure you’re ready for your day in court by working with an experienced federal crime lawyer in Burbank. The Simmrin Law Group can provide you with expert advice. We can start focusing on your case immediately with a FREE consultation about your situation.
Let us start building your defense by calling (310) 896-2723 or filling out our online contact form.