Federal charges represent one of the toughest legal challenges you could face in the U.S. Individuals charged with federal crimes end up facing incredibly skilled prosecutors who are used to getting convictions.
A conviction in federal court can lead to harsh penalties, including tremendous fines and decades of incarceration in a federal prison. Make sure you’re ready for your day in court by contacting the Simmrin Law Group’s federal crimes lawyers in West Covina.
What You’re Up Against in Federal Court
Many people underestimate the challenges of winning a case in federal court. After all, the federal court system handles many of the same charges that a state court would. The difference is in the severity of the charges and the punishments handed down after a conviction.
You could be subject to hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and decades of time in prison if you are charged with breaking a federal law. You can also face federal charges if:
- A crime crossed state lines
- The U.S. is a party to the case
- The claim is over $75,000
Note that there are some charges, like bank robbery, that are always handled by the federal court system. In some situations you can even be charged twice, once in state court and once in federal court, for the same act. This is often the case when individuals are charged with federal property crimes.
Federal courts also deal with immigration law. This means that, while California has laws to protect immigrants, the federal court system can still step in, leading to issues related to deportation from the country.
Any federal charge can throw your life off course. You can improve your chances for winning your case by working with a criminal defense lawyer here in West Covina. Make sure you’re ready for your day in court by treating a federal charge seriously and getting professional help as soon as you can.
Federal Charges: Fraud
There are several types of fraud that are only handled by federal courts. These include:
- Bank Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Bankruptcy Fraud
The federal court system also handles cases of identity theft. You can be charged with identity theft if you commit fraud after stealing the personal information of another individual. A conviction for federal fraud can result in 30 years in federal prison and fines of up to $1 million.
Federal Charges: Organized Crime
Many of the charges used in federal court were originally designed to handle organized crime. These charges can include:
Conspiracy
Charges of conspiracy apply any time two or more people plan a criminal act together. You can be charged with conspiracy even if no crime is ever committed. The following are common examples of conspiracy charges:
- Conspiracy to Restrain Trade
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Conspiracy Against Citizens’ Rights
Counterfeiting
Counterfeiting occurs when any individual creates a false document. Many people think of counterfeiting money, but other documents can also be falsified.
Money Laundering
The process of money laundering allows individuals to take illegally obtained money and make it look legitimate. This illegally earned money could have come from terrorism, drug offenses, fraud, or many other places. Any form of money laundering is illegal.
Dealing with these charges can be impossible on your own. You can get the help you need from a federal crimes lawyer who has the resources to stand up to federal prosecutors effectively.
Federal Charges: Elevated Crimes
In some cases, charges that are typically handled at the state level are moved to federal court because they are particularly severe, or because the alleged crime crossed state lines. The federal court system will generally deal with these charges more severely than a state court would:
Child Pornography
Individuals who make, distribute, or spread sexually explicit images that include minors can face charges for child pornography. A child pornography conviction in federal court can lead to 30 years in prison and high fines.
Antitrust Violations
The federal government has made it illegal for businesses to engage in customer allocation, bid rigging, or price fixing. Any individual accused of these actions can face antitrust violation charges. You could be fined $1 million for each offense if convicted of an antitrust violation.
Gun Offenses
Individuals can be charged with a gun offense at the federal level for:
- Moving guns over state lines
- Giving minors firearms
- Owning a gun with its serial number removed
- Using guns in school zones
You can also face serious charges if you are forbidden from legally owning a gun and are found to be in possession of a firearm.
Build Your Case with a Federal Crimes Lawyer in West Covina
Dealing with federal charges can feel impossible on your own. An experienced federal crimes lawyer in West Covina can take charge of your case and build your defense. The Simmrin Law Group is here to provide you with the help you need. You can get started on your case today with a FREE consultation.
Get the help you need by calling (310) 997-4688 or filling out our contact form.
