What The Differences Between a State And a Federal Felony Are, And How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

What The Differences Between a State And a Federal Felony Are,

And How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

(Atlanta, GA)

If you’ve been charged with a felony (as opposed to a misdemeanor), you could face serious penalties such as a long prison sentence. You may be charged with a state or a federal felony, which are different in several important ways. Working with an experienced criminal defense attorney can ensure that you receive the best possible representation regardless of the type of charge you face.

The following helps explain some of the basic differences between a state and a federal felony:



Types of charges

Federal charges can be brought if you’re accused of committing a crime on federal property or across multiple states or if the crime violates federal law. Common federal felonies include bank robberies, drug charges, firearm charges, tax evasion, money laundering, and fraud.

Possible penalties

Penalties for people convicted of a federal crime are usually harsher than those for a state crime. Federal sentencing guidelines suggest specific penalties for offenses, and they’re usually more severe than those for state crimes. Judges often follow these guidelines when imposing a sentence. In addition, any prison time would be served in a federal prison rather than a state facility. Since there are fewer federal prisons, people convicted of these crimes may serve their sentence farther away from home.

Jurisdictions

Federal agencies such as the FBI or DEA investigate possible federal offenses, while local or state police investigate possible state offenses. In court, federal lawyers will present the government’s case for federal felonies, and state lawyers will do the same for state felonies. A federal judge presides over federal cases.

How a criminal defense attorney can help

A criminal defense attorney can investigate your case, put together the best possible defense for the charges against you, and possibly negotiate with prosecutors for dropped or reduced charges or a reduced sentence. Lawyers can guide you through the federal legal process and make sure you understand your options. They can also provide emotional support during this stressful time while communicating with your family so they also understand the process.

Contact us if you’ve been charged with or think you may be charged with a state or federal crime. We’ll fight the charges against you, help you navigate the legal process, and keep the lines of communication open.

The material provided on this blog site does not/is not intended to constitute legal advice. All content is for general information only.