Fairfax Federal Criminal Attorney
Certain crimes are not only in opposition to state law, but also federal law. An offense that also violates the United States Criminal Code is known as a federal crime and is prosecutable in both state court and United States District court. There are certain crimes which typically fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. They tend to have harsher penalties and are prosecuted by the US Attorney’s office. If you have been charged with a federal crime in Fairfax County, please contact a Fairfax federal criminal lawyer now.
Such crimes include but are not limited to:
- Crimes which occur across state boundary lines
- Crimes which take place on property of the federal government
- Crimes against the U.S. government or a U.S. government agency
- High-dollar white collar crimes
- Large drug operations
In comparison to charges within state courts, federal criminal charges more often result in conviction, and for similar offenses the associated penalties tend to be much more rigorous than those invoked by state courts.
Cases which make it to federal court are strongly prosecuted by U.S. District Attorneys with the help of government agencies that specialize in uncovering and providing strong evidence against the defense. It is imperative that the defendant secure legal representation to provide a thorough defense. In order to provide defense in a federal court, a lawyer must be admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts of the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia. A skilled Fairfax federal criminal lawyer will exhibit a thorough comprehension of federal law and the sophisticated nature of the U.S. criminal justice system.
Federal Investigations in Fairfax County, VA
It is no surprise that crimes which involve government funds peak a special interest for the U.S. government. The government also takes wide scale crimes very seriously. Serious federal crimes include:
- Child pornography
- Drug trafficking
- Terrorism
- White collar crimes involving federal funds
The United States has a number of departments within government agencies whose sole focus is to detect federal criminal activities and collect strong evidence against anyone suspected of a federal crime. Agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and many more. They are dedicated to the investigation of crimes involving federal finances, kidnapping, drugs and more.
The agents that work to develop investigations and cases against alleged violators of the federal criminal code are highly trained in their given fields, however they can and do make mistakes from time to time. If you are innocent of the crime for which you have been charged, your lawyer can work toward your acquittal. Even if you have violated federal law, however, it is possible for your attorney to bring to light any violation of your rights, procedural missteps, and investigative errors that could lead to the inadmissibility or suppression of evidence or possibly a dismissal of your case.
Federal White Collar Crime Allegations in Fairfax County, VA
One of the most frequently prosecuted federal crimes is that of white collar financial crimes. Such crimes often violate state law, but if federal money is involved, the jurisdiction becomes that of the United States government. White collar crimes which can become federal white collar crimes because of the source of the funds from which the money is illegally obtained are:
- Bank Fraud
- Bankruptcy Fraud
- Bribery or Extortion
- Embezzlement
- Identity Theft
- Mail Fraud or Wire Fraud
- Medicare or Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Tax Fraud or Tax Evasion
A basic case of insurance fraud is typically prosecuted within state court. However, if the fraud involves Medicare which utilizes U.S. government funds, then the case is prosecuted in the U.S. District court. Similarly, while typical embezzlement is considered a white collar crime, it becomes a federal offense if the money is embezzled from a federally-backed corporation, such as a bank insured by the FDIC.
If you have been charged with a federal white collar crime, it is important that you find a Fairfax federal criminal lawyer who can aptly represent you in court. In criminal cases, federal prosecutors must be able to prove your guilt, beyond a reasonable doubt, for the crime with which you have been charged. The prosecution will use specially-trained government agencies to provide a great deal of evidence against the defendant. An federal defense lawyer is prepared to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and provide evidence to the contrary that will support the defense and change the course of the trial in favor of his or her client, the defendant.
Fairfax Federal Criminal Lawyers Can Help
If you are facing conviction as a federal criminal, you can benefit from the services of an experienced federal criminal attorney in Fairfax, Virginia. The penalties associated with a felony charge for a federal crime can include:
- long-term incarceration
- loss of your right to vote
- loss of professional licensure
- loss of your right to own/possess a firearm
- hindered future job opportunities
- tarnished personal/occupational reputation
- loss of security clearance
By getting skilled professional legal representation to develop a top-notch defense, you may be able to limit the penalties and associated consequences you are currently facing. Contact a Fairfax federal criminal attorney today for a free consultation to discuss your case and begin developing a strategic defense.