Being charged with any crime can be difficult, but understanding how federal charges and courts work can be especially challenging. Here are some of the most important things to know about the differences between state and federal charges, what to expect when navigating a federal legal process in Orlando, FL, and why hiring an experienced federal criminal defense attorney is important in ensuring the best possible outcome.

Common Federal Criminal Charges in Orlando

Understanding the difference between state and federal criminal charges is key when it comes to determining what your next steps should look like because each category involves different types of legal procedures. Federal crimes involve federal laws, meaning each case must meet specific criteria to fall into this category.

A relatively small number of crimes are considered federal compared to the state, and these charges often involve scenarios involving more than one state or are connected to a specific organization or policy at the federal level. When one or more of these conditions are present, a state-level court does not have the authority to handle that case. Some common federal criminal charges include:

• Medicare or healthcare fraud
• Other types of insurance fraud
• Social security fraud
• Tax fraud
• Identity theft
• Drug smuggling or trafficking
• Federal embezzlement or money laundering
• Kidnapping
• Federal weapons charges
• Crimes related to importing or exporting goods
• Crimes related to immigration, such as marriage fraud, illegal re-entry, or other visa issues
• Terrorism

Why Hire a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Choosing a criminal defense lawyer with significant experience handling federal cases is a must because the details of these cases can look significantly different from those that only involve state laws. The nuances of federal courts can function quite differently from the state-level courts that many lawyers are more familiar with, which means that choosing a legal team that thoroughly understands how federal legal procedures work and how they are different from those at the state level is an important step in avoiding errors that stem from referencing state-level concepts that may not be relevant. For example, an attorney who bases a defense for a federal case on a specific Florida law would be unlikely to be successful if that policy does not apply at the federal level. This is true even if the defendant lives in Florida, the crime took place in Florida, and the hearing takes place in a federal court within Florida.

Federal legal procedures can also be much longer and much more complex than state procedures because prosecutors who represent the federal government often have significantly more money and other resources to use when crafting detailed arguments in their favor. This means working with a federal criminal defense lawyer committed to sticking with your case for as long as possible to reach the ideal outcome.

Contact Piotrowski Law If You’ve Been Charged With a Federal Crime

Choosing an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer is key when navigating one of the most complex legal processes. Piotrowski Law is among your top choices in the Orlando, FL, area. While we can never guarantee the outcome of a particular case, especially if you have been charged with a serious crime at the federal level, our team’s expertise in handling a wide range of complex situations makes choosing us an important step in negotiating the best possible outcomes. Contact us today to learn more about our qualifications or to start your free and secure case evaluation.

 

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