Individuals who are arrested and charged with a federal crime could find their entire lives turned upside down by a conviction. If this sounds like what you are going through, you are not alone. Unfortunately, if you are found guilty of a federal offense, you may find your world turned shaken up.
Make sure you prepare accordingly. Get in touch with a respected Lynwood federal crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group for a confidential case review today and learn more about which defense opportunities may be best suited for the federal charges you are facing.
Why You Need to Worry About Federal-Level Charges
Although you may initially not be worried when you discover you are charged with a federal crime, you should be. Federal-level criminal charges are some of the most severe types of crimes you can face. Your federal crimes lawyer in Lynwood, CA, is here to help you understand the severity of the charges you are facing and determine how you can go about dodging a conviction.
Felony-level charges are far more severe than offenses that are prosecuted at the state level. When you are charged with a federal crime, your case will be heard in federal court by a federal judge and prosecuted by a federal prosecutor. These types of cases often carry harsh penalties that are far more severe than sentences handed down at the state level.
If you are found guilty of a federal-level offense, you will likely be sentenced to time in a federal detention facility, of which there are less than 200 throughout the country. Although having a federal crimes lawyer advocating for you is a great way to help clear your name of the charges against you, it is important that you understand the severity of your charges so you can prepare for the worst-case scenario. Charges at the federal level can be prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies. Misdemeanor federal charges may be less severe than felony-level federal charges.
Examples of Crimes Prosecuted Federally
The consequences you will face if convicted of a federal offense can vary widely based on the type of crime you have been charged with. It will be up to your federal crimes attorney in Lynwood, CA, to determine why your charges were prosecuted at the federal level as opposed to the state level and the potential consequences you will face.
Some examples of criminal offenses that are prosecuted more often federally include:
- Drug trafficking
- Drug manufacturing
- Drug possession with intent to sell
- Non-negligent manslaughter
- Murder
- Sex crimes
- Child pornography
- Human trafficking
- Arson
- Racketeering
- Extortion
- Fraud
- Tax evasion
These are only a few of the different types of federal crimes you could be charged with. There are a wide array of other federal offenses you could be facing as well. No matter what type of federal crime you have been charged with, make sure you have a federal crimes attorney working for you so you can reduce the likelihood of a conviction.
Penalties of a Federal Conviction
Those convicted of federal crimes face harsher penalties than those convicted of crimes at the state level. Whether you are prosecuted for a misdemeanor-level federal offense or a felony-level federal offense, the penalties could be harsh.
You will very likely be sentenced to time in federal prison. There are less than 150 federal prisons located throughout the country and only 13 located across the state of California. If you are convicted of a federal offense in Lynnwood, it is likely that you will be sentenced to a California federal prison facility that is further away from your family and friends. This may make it difficult or impossible for you to receive visits and maintain relationships with these close family members.
You could also expect to be ordered to pay fines to the state of California or the federal government and the alleged victims in your case. Federal sentencing may also include community service, court-ordered mental health counseling, court-ordered anger management, court-ordered drug or alcohol treatment, the suspension or revocation of your driver’s license, and potential registration as a sex offender.
Long-Term Effects
There are also many ways your entire life will be affected if you are found guilty of a federal crime. Some of the more common ways federal convict’s lives have been affected by their guilty verdicts include:
- Loss of firearm right
- Loss of voting rights
- Disqualification from federal education funding
- Trouble finding a job
- Loss of your professional license
- Housing restrictions
- Public registration as a sex offender
- Loss of child custody or visitation rights
- Immigration issues or deportation
If you hope to avoid the debilitating collateral consequences of the conviction of a federal crime, it is in your best interests to contact a federal crimes lawyer in Lynnwood for help preparing a defense strategy that could help you dodge a guilty verdict.
How to Approach Your Federal Crimes Defense Strategy in Lynwood
There are multiple ways you could go about approaching your federal criminal defense. Many times, working out a plea agreement with the federal prosecutors is going to be in your best interests. Your lawyer will know whether this is a good fit for you after having reviewed the evidence obtained by investigators against you.
The prosecutor may also be willing to allow you to enter a pretrial diversion program in the hopes of rehabilitation as opposed to criminal penalties. However, it is not unusual for federal crimes to be prosecuted at trial. If this happens, you need to consider your options for defense strategies.
For instance, if your constitutional rights were violated through unlawful search and seizure or Miranda rights violations, the charges against you could be dropped. If the evidence against you was illegally obtained, it could be dismissed, which could result in the charges against you being dropped as well. You can rely on your federal crimes attorney to carefully approach the details of your case to determine which options are most likely to produce a favorable outcome.
Call a Lynwood Federal Crimes Attorney to Discuss Your Defense Options Today
Federal-level convictions are likely to have a devastating impact on your life. It has never been more important to take your defense seriously. Work with a respected Lynnwood federal crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group to craft a powerful defense and get back to your life.
Find out more about the steps you should be taking to protect your future when you contact our office for a confidential case review. Complete our secure contact form or by phone to get started on your defense as soon as today.