Experienced Tucson Federal Criminal Attorney
Federal courts are very different than State courts. There are different procedures, different laws, different crimes, and a very complicated system of sentencing. I have years of experience as an Tucson federal criminal attorney, having successfully defending people accused of federal crimes, in all aspects of federal cases – from pre-indictment representation, to trial, to sentencing.
Federal vs. State Offenses
Federal crimes than state crimes, but the potential punishment for federal crimes are far more serious. Federal criminal law deals with crimes that fall under the United States government jurisdiction, such as the robbing of a bank that is insured by a federal agency, or the importation of illegal drugs into the country, or a person who illegally enters the United States.
Federal offenses are generally found in Title 18 of the United States Code. Federal drug offenses are found in Title 21 of the United States Code. Federal crimes are usually investigated by federal law enforcement agencies such as the F.B.I. (Federal Bureau of Investigation), the I.R.S. (Internal Revenue Service), the D.E.A. (Drug Enforcement Agency), U.S.B.P. (United States Border Patrol), H.S.I (Homeland Security Investigations), and I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
Federal Charges
If you or loved one has been charged with a federal crime, or you think you may be charged, it is very important to have a skilled, experienced Tucson federal criminal attorney on your side. As a federal criminal defense attorney, I handle all major federal criminal offenses in Arizona, including:
- homicide
- assault
- sex crimes
- property crimes such as theft, burglary, and fraud
- computer and internet crimes
- obscenity and child pornography
- narcotics possession, conspiracy, and transportation
- perjury and false statements
- firearms and explosives offenses
- federal prohibited possessor
- illegal entry/illegal reentry into the U.S.
- revocation of probation
- revocation of supervised release
- white collar crime such as mortgage fraud, tax fraud, investment fraud
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Sentencing for federal crimes can be quite severe. The Federal Sentencing Guidelines were created by the United States Sentencing Commission, and potential sentences for federal criminal charges range anywhere from probation, to life in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The federal sentencing guidelines are complicated. The sentence a person receives will generally depend on a calculation of the appropriate guideline level, any applicable upward or downward departures, any applicable variances, and a calculation of the person’s criminal history category. Since 2005, as a result of the Booker case, the the Federal Sentencing Guidelines have been interpreted as advisory only. Therefore, a court could sentence a person below the applicable guidelines range.
Today’s prosecutorial climate in the arena of federal prosecutions is quite severe. Now, more than ever, it is very important to have an experienced Tucson federal criminal Attorney advocate on your behalf to achieve the lowest possible sentence in your federal criminal case.
