Mesa Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

When the federal government is investigating a criminal offense you allegedly committed, the severity of that offense and the consequences which may result from a conviction increase. If the federal government decides to take over prosecuting that offense, it means you may be facing incarceration in federal prison, mandatory-minimum prison sentences, and various other consequences that may have life-changing implications whether you have an existing criminal record or not.

Fighting federal criminal charges effectively takes a different base of legal knowledge and often a different tactical approach than fighting state-level charges because a client is often facing the FBI, DEA, ATF, and HSI high-level federal agencies. It is as crucial as ever to have representation from a seasoned private defense attorney. With a skilled Mesa federal criminal defense lawyer, you will have a better chance of understanding the implications of the charge brought against you and building the strongest possible defense for every one of them.

Common Federal Charges

Generally, individual states have jurisdiction over criminal offenses that occur solely within their borders, while the federal government handles alleged crimes occurring across state or national borders. In addition, the federal government prosecutes border crimes, like drug trafficking, illegal reentry, alien smuggling, and firearms smuggling. They will always take the lead on prosecuting acts of terrorism, crimes against any government body, and crimes occurring on federal property, such as military bases—for example, Luke Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca.

Specific offenses often prosecuted federally rather than at the state level include:

• Trafficking of drugs or controlled substances
• Firearms trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Smuggling and violation of import/export laws
• White-collar crimes, including fraud related to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans
• Perjury related to federal court or government proceedings
• DUIs, assaults, and other offenses committed on federal land

An attorney in Mesa could go over your specific federal criminal case in detail and offer guidance about possible defense strategies during a confidential consultation.

What Makes Federal Criminal Cases Unique?

Anyone subject to federal criminal prosecution has the same constitutionally guaranteed rights as someone being prosecuted at the state level. Federal criminal offenses are also categorized as either misdemeanors or felonies, depending on how severe federal law considers them to be. What sets apart federal criminal cases from state-level ones is the opposition a defendant may face in and out of court is high skilled having gone to top law schools and practiced at high-end firms.

Federal investigative agencies have much larger budgets and far more resources than any comparable state-level organization. They know how to use what they have effectively and build extremely detailed cases against defendants supported by thousands of pages of evidence. This is why the conviction rate for federal prosecutors is high, especially for defendants in Mesa who fail to seek help from a practiced federal criminal defense lawyer. Expunging a conviction in federal court is non-existent except for a few exceptions, making the knowledge of a first-rate defense attorney important.

Get in Touch with a Mesa Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Today

Federal criminal cases are more serious than state-level criminal cases in virtually every scenario. Whether you have an existing record or not, a single conviction in federal court could permanently change your life’s course—as could going into this sort of legal proceeding without knowledgeable legal counsel on your side.

Working closely with a Mesa federal criminal defense lawyer could make a difference in your case’s outcome. Call today to learn more about your defense options.