Being charged with a federal crime can be devastating. Federal prosecutors are amongst the most intimidating prosecutors around. If they can charge you with a federal crime, they may pin you with the most severe penalties they can, which can include tens of thousands in fines and years in prison.
Federal charges can follow you for life and make it extremely difficult to get a job or a loan. If you face such charges, you can turn to the Los Angeles federal crimes lawyers at Simmrin Law Group. Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers can craft a defensive strategy for a wide variety of federal crimes allegations.
State Offenses vs. Federal Offenses
It may seem like the only difference between a state and federal offense is which government is handling it, the state of California or the United States government. But there are significant differences between the two.
More Resources Are Available to Federal Investigators
The number of resources available to the investigators, prosecutors, and the judge in federal court are much more than those available to state officials. That means each case the federal government prosecutes gets much more attention with a stronger case against you.
Federal Penalties Are Often More Severe
The penalties for a federal crime are also often more severe than those for a state crime. While a state crime can bring fines and jail time that make life hard, a federal crime is almost certain to result in a prison sentence, possibly in federal prison.
Federal Convictions Affect You for Life
Having a federal offense on your record also looks worse to employers and lenders, making it hard to access the same resources that someone not convicted of a federal crime can have.
Designating a Federal Crime
Investigators must meet specific standards to prosecute a crime at the federal level. To be prosecuted federally, a crime usually has one of these characteristics:
- The crime was committed across state lines
- The crime was against the federal government, e.g., tax fraud or other white-collar crimes
- The crime was committed against a federal servant, like a police officer
- The crime was severe enough that it broke federal law
These are just a few of the factors that can establish whether your situation will warrant federal prosecution. An L.A. federal crimes lawyer will be aware of the conditions that can result in federal prosecution and whether your case meets those requirements.
Federal crimes are harder to defend than state crimes, but that doesn’t mean you should give up. A criminal defense lawyer who handles federal cases in California could at least reduce your charge, meaning fewer penalties and a higher chance of a dismissal. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to learn about your legal right to defense in federal court.
For a free legal consultation with a federal crimes lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (310) 896-2723
Who Prosecutes Federal Crimes?
As opposed to crimes that the state handles, federal crimes are handled by the United States government. That means crimes are investigated by government agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It also means federal crimes are prosecuted by the government’s prosecutors, often assigned by the office of the Attorney General.
When you face a federal prosecutor, you are in a more dire situation than with a state prosecutor. Federal prosecutors, investigators, and judges have more time, money, and resources than their state counterparts to build a much stronger case against you. Federal crimes also often have harsher punishments than state crimes.
If you’re facing federal charges, you need to act fast. Our federal crimes attorneys in Los Angeles know the dangers of a federal conviction and know how to navigate your case. At your initial consultation, we will listen to your story and tell you what we can do to help you reduce or even beat your charges.
If we take your case, we will compile evidence, obtain witness and expert testimony, and conduct negotiations. At trial, we will vigorously defend your right to fair representation in a court of law.
Los Angeles Federal Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Do Federal Prosecutors Ever Drop Charges?
Yes, occasionally, federal cases are dropped, but your defense will need to be airtight for that to happen. If your case is going to get dropped, it will most likely happen before your trial. To help you beat your charge, your criminal defense attorney will have to prove that there are grounds for dismissal, which can include:
- Loss of evidence
- Illegal stop and search
- Lack of probable cause
- Improper complaint
There is also a chance your lawyer will be able to get your case dismissed after your charges are filed. This is most commonly done before the trial, but in the case of dismissal, a judge orders the charges dismissed instead of the prosecution.
If your charges are dropped or dismissed, there will be a record of your arrest, but you will not have any conviction on your criminal record. To have any chance of the prosecution dropping your charges, you should have a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer by your side.
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How Long Does a Federal Case Last?
No two federal cases are the same, so the amount of time your case takes can vary. How complicated your charges are and any settlement negotiations that occur can prolong your case. In general, however, a federal trial itself usually takes between two days and a week.
The trial is not the only part of the process, however. Arraignment and pretrial usually occur before your trial and have the potential to take weeks. Any appeals after the trial will also prolong the process.
When you meet with an L.A. criminal defense attorney, they will go over the potential timeline of your trial. That will give you an idea of how long your case may take. Our lawyers understand the nuances of the process and will take every step necessary to get your charges reduced or dropped, even if it means prolonging the case itself.
Contact an L.A. Defense Attorney As Soon As Possible
If you believe you will be charged with a federal crime, even if you have not yet been arrested, contact a federal crimes lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney can help you defend your legal rights and advise you on how to proceed during questioning and the investigation process.
By contacting an attorney right away, you give the legal team time to build a stronger defense on your behalf. These cases can move quickly, so it is important that your attorney has the time to compile evidence and file the necessary responses to defend your legal rights.
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How Much Does a Federal Crimes Attorney in Los Angeles Cost?
Federal crimes lawyers work on a case-by-case basis, so the amount you will pay will depend on the specifics of your case. Most criminal defense attorneys work on an hourly basis, so the length of your case will affect your lawyer’s price. Past that, there are three other main factors that decide how much you will pay:
- The difficulty of your case: How much work your case requires will directly affect how much your attorney charges you. A difficult case like a federal crime defense may warrant a higher rate.
- Extra fees and services: Sometimes, there are extra expenses involved in a defense case, like subpoena fees and arranging rides to and from the courthouse. The more of these expenses your case needs, the more your lawyer’s services will cost.
- Your lawyer’s experience: The simple fact is that better attorneys cost more. That isn’t an excuse to settle for a less experienced lawyer, however. Instead, you should be wary of cheap attorneys who may be cutting corners. A quality lawyer is worth it.
Before our team gets to work on your case, we will agree on your Los Angeles criminal defense attorney’s rate. At your initial consultation, they will let you know how much you can expect to pay for your defense.
We will keep you apprised of your case status throughout the legal process so you are always aware of how your defense is proceeding and where we are directing our efforts. While we cannot guarantee an outcome, we will aggressively defend your right to a fair trial from beginning to end.
Can State Offenses Be Elevated to Federal Offenses?
Sometimes, you may be accused of an offense like bank robbery, which is always charged at the federal level. In many cases, however, you may be charged under federal statutes rather than state law because your alleged crime is considered especially heinous or the act of committing it crossed state lines.
No matter how serious your case, you are entitled to legal defense in accordance with the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. With help from our Los Angeles federal crimes attorneys, you can defend yourself against the following charges.
- Federal gun offense: If you fit certain criteria, such as having a felony conviction, you are barred from owning a firearm by federal law.
- Federal property crime: While most property crimes are a more local offense, crimes on federal property can be charged in federal court.
- Antitrust violations: If you are accused of conspiring to form a monopoly across state lines, your antitrust case will be tried at the federal level.
- Child pornography: A charge of possessing or distributing child pornography can be charged at the state or federal level, depending on the extent of the case.
Whenever you are being charged with a crime at the federal level, you may face more experienced and aggressive prosecution. Since cases are more difficult and can lead to more severe penalties, you could use an L.A. federal crimes lawyer who has handled criminal defense on the federal level.
Common Federal Crimes
Myriad federal crimes happen every year, but our firm sees some types of federal cases more often than others. Keep in mind that we defend people accused of many different crimes, so if your case doesn’t appear on this page, you can still get help from our Los Angeles federal crimes attorneys.
Common types of federal crimes we see include:
Federal Fraud Cases
There are many ways that the government combats fraud through the Department of Justice’s criminal policies. But there are also many ways to defend against fraud cases.
The most important element is to make sure you contact a Los Angeles federal crimes attorney at Simmrin Law Group as soon as you are aware you are the subject of a federal investigation. We can help you deal with federal fraud allegations:
The importance of having a federal crimes lawyer on your side is underscored by the fact that these offenses can have severe penalties if you are convicted. For example, wire fraud can lead to as many as 30 years in prison. These are serious, life-altering consequences, and you could use a fraud defense team helping you beat the charges.
Organized Crime
In some instances, federal charges are used to disrupt and dismantle organized crime. Some examples of charges that may or may not relate to organized crime include the following:
- Conspiracy: In which two or more people agree to commit a crime.
- Money laundering: Used when someone works to “clean” money that was gained in criminal ways.
- Counterfeiting: Often a charge for creating fake money, but it can also be used when someone is accused of creating fake official documents.
These charges are serious and can include visits from entities like the FBI, the Secret Service, and more. Such agencies can be frightening to face on your own, but our criminal defense team has experience dealing with these groups and can help calm the situation as much as possible. Let our attorneys support you through your federal legal challenges. We will take care of the negotiations, trial preparation, and legal filings, so you can rest easy knowing that someone is working to defend your best interests.
Immigration Law
You have come into the United States to pursue an education, a job, or dreams of prosperity and freedom. But immigration law is complex, and you may face allegations of wrongdoing that can threaten your ability to remain in the country.
Los Angeles recently became a “sanctuary city.” This means that local authorities are supposed to limit their cooperation with ICE agents. However, they may still turn you over to federal authorities for violations of immigration law. Such violations may include:
- Immigration without permission or documentation
- Overstaying an expired visa
- Working without required authorization
- Violation of terms of conditional permanent residence status
- Committing, aiding, or abetting illegal actions
- Marriage fraud
- Fraudulent or invalid visa or residency application documents
If local authorities do turn you over to ICE, contacting our criminal defense lawyers may be your best option to stay in the United States and continue to pursue your dreams.
Talk to a Team Member Today for Free
Federal offenses are serious business and should not be faced alone. The Los Angeles federal crimes attorneys at Simmrin Law Group know how scary it is to face federal charges and how much damage a federal conviction can inflict. We firmly believe that our clients deserve vigorous representation under the Sixth Amendment and will work hard to pursue a just outcome.
With decades of criminal defense on our side, the attorneys at Simmrin Law Group have established a reputation for finding solutions in even seemingly impossible legal situations.
Using our extensive knowledge of federal criminal statutes and decades of legal relationships, we will build a stalwart defense on your behalf. We understand that everyone makes mistakes. Let’s move forward. Let us get started on your Los Angeles County federal crimes case right away. Reach out to our office for a FREE consultation.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form