In the United States, we have two different criminal justice systems: state and federal. While there are many similarities between the two, nuances exist that can impact whether you receive a fair day in court. Therefore, if you face a federal criminal charge, contact an experienced federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A federal criminal defense attorney can help you develop a defense for your federal charge and explain particular issues that may arise in a federal case. A delay in seeking legal assistance can impact your legal rights.

State and federal criminal laws differ. Unlike a criminal defense attorney in your state, a federal criminal defense attorney is familiar with all aspects of federal criminal law. In addition, penalties for federal charges can be more stringent, and the federal law may be different than your state law on the subject. For example, all federal defendants must first be indicted by a grand jury before they will face federal charges. This is different from a state case that is determined by a state prosecutor who has the authority to decide whether the state will pursue charges against the alleged individual.  

In addition to the differences in the federal criminal system and the state criminal system, differences exist between the prosecuting office. For example, the U.S. Attorney’s office often has greater resources available to seek prosecution and additional experience than their state counterparts. Federal prosecutors are also given more freedom to determine which cases they would like to prosecute, which can make the defense of such cases extremely difficult. Federal authorities may also contact you as part of a federal probe. Therefore, if you have been contacted by a federal authority, be careful what you say and contact a federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A federal criminal defense attorney will help you avoid traps and help you determine whether you are viewed as a potential defendant or witness in the case.

A federal criminal defense attorney is also a valuable asset when it comes to negotiating deals with the federal prosecutor. For example, a federal criminal defense attorney has specific knowledge regarding federal laws and may be able to negotiate a shorter sentence for you. If it is necessary to go to trial for your case, a federal criminal defense attorney will be able to assist you with all aspects of federal law. Therefore, it is essential that you hire an experienced federal criminal defense attorney that has knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence and Federal Civil Procedure.

If you are named as a federal defendant in a case, contact an experienced federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. If you do not know how to locate a federal criminal defense attorney in your state, visit your local federal courthouse for information about obtaining legal representation. For example, if you live in San Diego, California visit the federal court's website http://www.casd.uscourts.gov/index.php?page=edward-j-schwartz-courthouse. In addition, your state bar’s website or free legal aid organization may have information about how to find a federal criminal defense attorney that is right for you. In California, contact the bar association, http://www.calbar.ca.gov/.