If you were criminally charged in federal court for legal activity in the state of California, you may need a lawyer’s help to have the case remanded back to state court.
If you have been criminally charged in federal court for legal activity in the state of California, then your first step should be to hire an attorney. If law enforcement has already arrested you on a misunderstanding, it’s your word against theirs. When the court is not as willing to listen to you by yourself, you have a louder voice when there’s a criminal lawyer in the room who is speaking on your behalf.
Federal Crimes
Federal crimes are the most serious crimes a person can be charged with. If someone is a defendant in a federal action, this means that he has been accused of committing a crime against the entire country. As such, the penalties associated with federal crimes are more severe than those at the state level.
Examples of federal crimes include:
- Bank robbery
- Identity theft
- Tax evasion
- Mail fraud
- Money laundering
There are a few ways in which federal crimes differ from state crimes. For one, there is no such thing as “double jeopardy” here. A person can be charged at both the state and federal levels for the same crime.
For instance, if a person robs a bank, he can be charged for robbing the bank within that state, and then be charged for robbing a federally insured business. So while the crime was the same, the charges are slightly different. A person may also be charged with a state crime on top of a federal crime if the federal crime was committed across state lines.
The “Subject” Or “Target” Of An Investigation
If you receive a notification that you are either the “subject” or “target” of a federal investigation, the first thing you should do is call a lawyer. Such a notification means that they are already considering charging you with a crime. You should not contact the U.S. Attorney’s office on your own. Your lawyer can make an inquiry as to what the government’s interest is in you in particular.
A criminal defense lawyer can protect your rights, and he or she can ensure that you do not do or say anything that may be self-incriminating. A lawyer may also be able to negotiate immunity for you so that you can testify without the fear of imprisonment or other penalties.
If you have been charged with a federal crime, then you need a federal crimes lawyer by your side. Contact the Simmrin Law Group as soon as you receive word that you are the subject of a federal investigation.
Federal Sentencing And Parole
When it comes to federal sentencing, there is no such thing as parole. You serve the entirety of whatever sentence you receive. However, there are some rewards for good behavior. Some prisoners are awarded “good time,” which is a reduction of 54 days per year for every year of a person’s sentence.
Some individuals are also allowed to spend the last 10 percent (up to 6 months) of their sentence in a halfway house. A halfway house is a location where inmates are able to live in preparation for their release to help them grow accustomed to living life on the outside again. However, not all inmates are eligible.
Federal crimes, and their penalties, are the most serious crimes a person could be convicted of. And it can be intimidated to go up against federal prosecutors by yourself, individuals with years of experience successfully putting people behind bars. In this case, a Los Angeles federal crimes lawyer may be your only option.
Facing a Federal Charge? Don’t Wait – Call Us Now!
Being charged with a crime is a frightening and stressful experience. Being charged with a federal crime is utterly devastating. If there was ever a time that you needed an experienced lawyer by your side, this is it. Don’t put your life and future at stake by trying to go this one alone. There are too many risks involved to take a chance here.
Our experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers have years of experience helping clients charged with federal crimes. We have in-depth knowledge of the kinds of severe and life-altering consequences that can befall those accused of a federal crime, and we want to help you.
Fill out the form to the right, or call us at (310) 997-4688 now to speak with a member of our team. There is no obligation to retain, and the consultation is free. We want to help you get your life back on track by giving you the advice you need, even if you ultimately choose not to hire us. You have everything to lose right now, and everything to gain by calling us, so call today!