If you’re being investigated for or have been charged with a federal crime, it’s important that you hire an attorney who specifically handles these types of cases. The reasons for hiring a federal defense lawyer for your matter are plenty, but, essentially, they fall under the same category: the differences between state and federal prosecutions. You can expect that more time, resources, and energy will be expended in your federal case than would be had you been accused of a state crime.
A defense attorney who practices federal law and has extensive experience with these matters knows how they progress from investigation to trial and recognizes what’s at stake for their clients. For this reason, they are more adept at navigating the complexities of these cases. And if they are genuinely concerned about protecting their client’s rights, they do what is necessary to challenge the accusations and seek favorable outcomes.
Thus, as mentioned before, hiring a lawyer who knows how to effectively take on federal cases is essential. Let’s explore in greater depth the reasons you need effective representation on your side.
Guiding You Through the Investigation
You can be sure that agencies such as the FBI, DEA, or ATF will spend a considerable amount of time investigating your case. Federal agents typically have a considerable amount of resources to examine the facts of a case – more so than local or state law enforcement officials have. Therefore, agents may have collected a significant amount of evidence to hand over to a U.S. Attorney and recommend prosecution.
Additionally, during the investigation stage, federal prosecutors may show up at your door asking questions about the situation. They might tell you that they’re just trying to understand your side of the story or want to rule you out as a suspect. Many people, wanting to be deferential to authority and clear their names with federal agents, might provide statements. Unfortunately, doing so may fuel the case against them, and anything they say may be used later in court to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
If you retain a federal lawyer early enough in your case, you will have sound counsel during the initial investigation. They know the tactics federal agents use to help build cases against the accused, and they can provide advice and guidance about what questions to answer and how to answer them. Also, recognizing that federal agencies will spend a great deal of time looking into alleged violations of the law, your federal defense attorney will put just as much effort into preparing your defense.
Challenging the Prosecution’s Allegations
After agents investigate your case, they will hand the evidence to a U.S. Attorney who pursues the matter. Federal prosecutors have a great deal of experience handling these matters, and they often have smaller caseloads than state prosecutors. Thus, you will be going up against a formidable opponent who will do everything they can to prove that you committed the alleged offense. This can be intimidating, especially for someone not familiar with the processes of the federal justice system.
However, when you have a federal lawyer on your side, you will be working with a professional with experience challenging U.S. Attorneys. By retaining appropriate legal representation, you, therefore, level the playing field and stand a greater chance of beating your charge.
Presenting Your Case in Federal Court
Federal criminal matters are heard in federal courts. Typically, they have different processes and rules than state courts. If you hire an attorney unfamiliar with the federal processes, they could make a mistake that can adversely impact the outcome. That’s why it’s necessary to get legal counsel from someone who knows what to do in federal cases.
For Federal Crimes Defense, Call Beckham Solis, Attorneys at Law
If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, reach out to our skilled Miami team to discuss your case. We know the federal system well and can help you understand the nuances involved in your matter.
Get started on your defense by calling us at (305) 290-1884 or contacting us online.