Federal criminal charges are nothing to laugh at; this is as serious as it can get when it comes to legal problems. Incarceration rates are close to 90% and neither probation nor clemency is easily granted. The federal government does not play around.
The process of a federal criminal case is cold and calculated. The crimes are usually higher profile and our government upholds its reputation for law and order. You need to find protection as soon as possible.
The consequences that you may face will be much steeper. It’s quite different from state court and you need to know what will happen if you have to be tried at that level.
Federal Criminal Charges
The federal government, if they weren’t already involved, can bring state charges up to their level for several reasons. There is even a chance that their involvement may come as a surprise.
If the Feds decide to come after you, they will do so with force and with a list of as many charges as they can. They can even charge you for crimes that others have committed if you were present. RICO laws are written vaguely for a reason.
The federal government may choose to take over your case if you are accused of the following:
- crossing state lines during the commission of a crime
- the death of someone during the commission of a crime
- drug charges involving manufacturing, trafficking, or selling large quantities
- kidnapping
- arson
- internet crimes
- illegal weapons
You do not want to be charged by a federal prosecutor in your judicial district if there is an option to take it to a lower court. At the same time, it is essential that you are aware of the process you could be facing if it proves impossible to bring your charges back into the state’s hands.
Organization Of Minnesota Federal Court
The U.S. is broken up into federal districts with their own federal judges and prosecutors that oversee all related cases involved in the area. Minnesota belongs in District 8 with official courts in Duluth, Fergus Falls, St. Paul, and Minneapolis.
Court costs and fines can be astronomical.
Judges are appointed by the president and serve for life. This gives them a lot of power over everyone around them, especially when it comes to sentencing. There are suggested minimum and maximum sentence options for them to follow and federal judges tend to sentence harshly.
Sentencing
Sentencing occurs after a plea or a trial, but at a completely different time, at its own hearing. You will be assessed and assigned a criminal level that will determine how severely you will be punished. The number is based on what you are charged with, your criminal history, and your current behavior.
The judge will use it to determine the length of prison time that they assign someone that they find guilty. These judges have a tremendous amount of freedom in the sentencing phase, and they don’t have to worry about the politics of reelection.
Double Jeopardy doesn’t exist between state and federal governments. If the state fails in charging you with a crime, then the federal government can choose to charge you again for that same crime. You have to be protected.
Acquire Experienced Protection – Minnesota Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
We don’t want your case in federal court and there may be a chance to bring it back to the state. The first thing that you should do is contact a local lawyer who is experienced in Minnesota’s judicial district, specifically.
Kevin DeVore is experienced in fighting tough cases at either the state or federal level. He has built a positive and honorable relationship with those in the district courts, which may just serve you well.
DeVore Criminal Defense is ready to zealously protect you in criminal court. Contact us to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
Posted 25th March 2021 by DeVore Law Office