More than 7.5 million people live on Long Island, making it the single most heavily populated island in the country. Among those residents, the simple fact is that some may find themselves facing criminal charges. Not all charges are created equally, and most people know the difference between misdemeanors and felonies. But there’s another type of criminal charge that is worth a closer look – federal crimes.
Federal charges are among the most serious types of charges you can face, and understanding them is the first step towards defending yourself from them. Obviously you’ll want the help of a good Suffolk County criminal defense attorney, but just learning more about the basics of federal charges is a good idea.
Basically, federal crimes are those that fall under federal law. There are numerous types of laws throughout the country – federal, state, and local. When you break a state law, you’ll be charged at the state level. County ordinance offenses are handled by the county. In the case of federal crimes, the focus is on crimes that break national federal laws. This includes a wide range of different things, but it includes:
- Bank robbery
- Drug trafficking
- Tax evasion
- Mail fraud
- Counterfeiting
These are serious crimes, and with them will come serious penalties. Decades in prison could be possible as a penalty for certain crimes, and while they’re similar to other charges in that your past criminal history and the specifics of the case will influence your sentencing, the reality is that for most offenders dodging jail time if found guilty will be difficult.
As a result, it’s important that you take the time to find the best possible defense attorney for your situation. Defending yourself is a bad idea, and trusting the professionals is the key to making sure your outcome is as favorable as it can be.
Federal crime charges can change your life for good, and it’s vital that you defend yourself against them. Start by learning more about them with the information above, and then move on to find a good lawyer. Those are the first steps you should take, and they’re two steps you can’t ignore.
If you need help defending yourself from a federal crime, we can help. Contact us today to set up a consultation and learn more about how our law office might be able to help you.