Gainesville Criminal Defense Attorney
Generally, most criminal charges you hear about will be based on a violation of local or state laws. However, the investigation and prosecution of certain crimes, such as those that occur on federal property, were committed across state lines, or that violate U.S. customs, are the federal government’s responsibility. If a federal agency, be it the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms), or IRS (Internal Revenue Service), ever reaches out to you, then you might be the target of a federal investigation.
Being convicted of a federal offense can alter the course of the rest of your life. Whether you’ve been arrested under suspicions of committing a federal crime or have just discovered that you’re the center of a federal investigation, contact Stout Defense, P.A. immediately for legal guidance from our experienced criminal defense attorney.
Contact our law firm today to schedule a free case consultation!
How Are Federal Cases Different Than State Cases?
As opposed to local law enforcement agencies with restricted budgets, the federal government has access to seemingly unlimited resources. Moreover, federal criminal charges typically carry harsher sentences and penalties than local/state offenses. A few other key ways in which federal cases differ from state cases include:
- Federal crimes are investigated by federal officers and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys.
- Federal prosecutors get to select their cases. Typically, they choose to accept cases they believe will be the easiest to prosecute.
- Federal offenses, drug crimes, in particular, tend to carry harsher minimum mandatory sentences.
Common Federal Offenses
Title 18 of the United States Code is the federal government’s main criminal code and deals with crimes and criminal procedures. This Title lists over one hundred chapters of crime. A few of the most commonly prosecuted federal crimes include:
- White-collar crimes such as embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, insider trading, etc.
- Possession of child pornography
- Drug offenses, particularly trafficking and manufacturing
- Weapon offenses, typically selling firearms without a license
- Computer crimes
- Conspiracy
- Trafficking of endangered animals
- Fraud offenses
- Human trafficking
How Our Gainesville Attorney Can Help
In federal cases, suspects will often receive letters informing them that they are the subject of a federal investigation. If you have recently been notified that you’re the target of a federal investigation, the first thing you should do is seek legal counsel from an experienced defense attorney. Federal cases move fast and are prosecuted sternly. Whether it’s in state or federal court, our criminal defense attorney, Adam Stout, has the knowledge and dedication necessary to help attain the best possible outcome for your case. Contact Stout Defense, P.A. today for a case consultation!