Whether you should hire a federal criminal defense attorney depends on the specifics of your situation, but here are some general considerations to help guide your decision:
Nature of the Charges
If you are facing federal charges, it is typically advisable to hire an attorney experienced in federal court. Federal courts operate differently than state courts, and the procedures can be more complex. A federal criminal defense attorney would be familiar with these intricacies.
Severity of the Potential Penalties
Federal crimes often come with severe penalties, including long prison sentences and hefty fines. The consequences of a conviction can be life-altering, so having an experienced attorney on your side can be crucial.
Complexity of the Case
Federal cases can involve intricate laws, vast amounts of evidence, and complex legal arguments. An experienced federal criminal defense attorney will know how to navigate this complexity.
Federal Government Resources
The federal government has extensive resources at its disposal when prosecuting cases. This includes experienced prosecutors, federal agents, and expert witnesses. To level the playing field, it can be beneficial to have a knowledgeable defense attorney representing your interests.
Protection of Your Rights
An attorney will ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process, from ensuring proper procedures during evidence collection to making sure you’re aware of all your legal options.
Peace of Mind
Facing federal charges can be incredibly stressful. Knowing you have an experienced attorney representing you can provide some peace of mind during an otherwise challenging time.
How Much Does a Federal Attorney Cost?
Hiring an attorney can be expensive, especially if the case goes to trial. However, the potential consequences of not having proper representation can be far more costly in terms of potential prison time, fines, and long-term impacts on your life.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The Federal Bureau of Prisons reports that there are 158,542 federal inmates in prison in the United States as of September 28, 2023. The United States has the highest prison population rate in the world. Yes, the United States locks up people at a higher rate than any other country.
What Is the Most Common Type of Federal Offenses?
The United States Sentencing Commission reports that the most common federal crimes are drugs crimes, Immigration violations, Fraud, and Firearms offenses.
Federal crimes include but are not limited to mail fraud, aircraft hijacking, carjacking, kidnaping, bank robbery, child pornography, credit card fraud, identity theft, computer crimes, federal hate crimes, federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), obscenity, tax evasion, counterfeiting and immigration offenses.
In drug-related federal offenses, mandatory minimums apply when a defendant manufactures, sells, imports/exports, traffics, or cultivates illegal substances.
You May Be Able to Avoid a Minimum Mandatory Sentence
Congress has passed the “Safety Valve” statute. The safety-valve statute allows judges to impose sentences below the mandatory minimum if you meet certain requirements. If you meet the safety-valve requirements, the judge can sentence you to less than the mandatory minimum number of months in prison.
