New York is filled with people, and a huge percentage of them call Long Island home. And out of the more than 7.6 million who live on the island, most will never need to worry about finding a good criminal defense attorney. But some aren’t so lucky, and if you find yourself facing federal charges it’s vital that you find representation fast. Your lawyer will help explain the charges you’re facing completely, but if you want to know more about what federal crimes actually are, it isn’t hard to do.
Essentially, federal crimes are those that are illegal under federal law. In most cases, criminals are tried at the state level, in state-sanctioned courts. But in some instances the crimes will be tried in federal courts. Examples include things like:
- Tax Evasion
- Kidnapping
- Bank Robbery
- Art Theft
- Destroying Public Mailboxes
- Counterfeiting
Certain drug offenses are also considered federal crimes, though this depends upon the nature of the crime. For instance, selling, trafficking, or transporting illegal drugs across state borders is usually tried as a federal offense while minor possession will be handled at the state level in most cases.
One of the most important things to understand about federal crimes is that due to their very serious nature, they’re often going to carry with them very heavy punishments. Years in jail are common if found guilty – decades in many instances – as are large monetary fines. These are among the most serious of all crimes in the nation, and as such it’s vital that you get help for your defense.
There are no guarantees when it comes to your trial, but finding a good attorney is worth doing. The right criminal defense attorney will be able to help you understand your charges and what options you have. They’ll review your case and argue on your behalf in court. And they won’t let you make mistakes that could lead to self-incrimination, such as speaking to a prosecutor or police officer without representation.
Simply put, if you’ve been charged with a federal crime then you have reason to be concerned. A good attorney could help reduce your sentence or possibly even help prove your innocence, but it’s vital that you don’t try to proceed on your own. No matter what type of federal crime you’re charged with, get professional help before you do anything else.