Minnesota Federal Crimes Defense Attorney
From time to time, certain criminal offenses are taken out of the state court system and are pursued under federal laws and statues. For cases on the federal level, the consequences can be much harsher than if the crime were pursued in the state court. This is the reason why you want to immediately call a Minnesota criminal lawyer if you have been accused of a federal crime.
Types of Minnesota Federal Crimes
Federal courts are much different than state courts, so it is important to have a lawyer who understands the differences between the two courts, the different crimes that can fall into federal hands, and how to handle these cases.
The different types of federal crimes include:
- Drug crimes that include possession, intent to distribute, manufacturing, and trafficking
- Kidnapping
- Bribery
- Arson
- Armed assault
- Wire fraud
- Weapons offenses
- Internet and computer crimes
- Mail fraud
- White collar crimes
Kidnapping Defense in Minnesota
In Minnesota, kidnapping is a serious criminal offense that is punishable by up to 40 years in prison. Under Minnesota state law, kidnapping occurs when a person “confines another person without the person’s consent and without legal authority.” This means that in order to be charged with kidnapping, a person must have intentionally and unlawfully confined another person without their consent.
Kidnapping can be charged as a federal crime if it involves crossing state lines or if it is committed on federal property. For example, if a person kidnaps another person in Minnesota and transports them across state lines, they may be charged with federal kidnapping. Similarly, if a person kidnaps another person on a federal property, such as a national park or military base, they may be charged with federal kidnapping.
Federal kidnapping charges carry severe penalties, including the possibility of life imprisonment. If you have been charged with kidnapping in Minnesota, it is important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal options. A lawyer can help you defend against the charges and protect your rights.
Bribery Defense in Minnesota
In Minnesota, bribery is a serious criminal offense that can be charged at the state or federal level. Bribery occurs when a person offers, gives, or receives something of value in exchange for a favor or to influence the actions of another person.
Bribery can be charged as a federal crime if it involves a federal official or if it crosses state lines. For example, if a person offers a bribe to a federal official in Minnesota in exchange for a favorable decision, they may be charged with federal bribery. Similarly, if a person offers a bribe to a state official in Minnesota, but the bribe is paid or received across state lines, it may be charged as a federal crime.
Federal bribery charges carry severe penalties, including the possibility of prison time and significant fines. If you have been charged with bribery in Minnesota, it is important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal options. A lawyer can help you defend against the charges and protect your rights.
Federal Drug Crimes in Minnesota
There are a variety of federal drug offenses that can be charged in Minnesota, including:
- Possession of illegal drugs: It is illegal to possess certain controlled substances, such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin, under federal law.
- Distribution of illegal drugs: It is illegal to sell or distribute illegal drugs, or to possess illegal drugs with the intent to sell or distribute them.
- Manufacturing of illegal drugs: It is illegal to produce or manufacture illegal drugs, or to operate a drug laboratory.
- Drug trafficking: It is illegal to import or export illegal drugs, or to transport illegal drugs across state or international borders.
Federal drug offenses carry severe penalties, including the possibility of prison time and significant fines. The specific penalty for a federal drug offense will depend on the type and amount of drug involved, as well as the offender’s criminal history.
If you have been charged with a federal drug crime in Minnesota, it is important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal options. A lawyer can help you defend against the charges and protect your rights.
Federal Weapons Charges in Minnesota
There are several federal weapons charges that can be brought in Minnesota, including:
- Illegal possession of a firearm: It is illegal for certain individuals, such as felons or those who have been involuntarily committed to a mental institution, to possess a firearm under federal law.
- Illegal possession of a firearm by a minor: It is illegal for individuals under the age of 18 to possess a handgun under federal law.
- Illegal possession of a firearm in a school zone: It is illegal to possess a firearm on school grounds or within 1,000 feet of a school under federal law.
- Illegal possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime: It is illegal to use or carry a firearm during the commission of a federal crime, such as a drug trafficking offense.
- Illegal possession of a restricted firearm: It is illegal to possess certain types of restricted firearms, such as machine guns and sawed-off shotguns, under federal law.
Federal weapons charges carry severe penalties, including the possibility of prison time and significant fines. The specific penalty for a federal weapons charge will depend on the type of weapon involved and the circumstances of the offense.
If you have been charged with a federal weapons offense in Minnesota, it is important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal options. A lawyer can help you defend against the charges and protect your rights.
Federal Wire Fraud in Minnesota
Federal wire fraud is a criminal offense that occurs when a person uses wire communication, such as the internet, telephone, or radio, to defraud another person of money or property. In order to be charged with federal wire fraud, the government must be able to prove that the defendant intended to defraud the victim and that they used wire communication as part of the fraudulent scheme.
In Minnesota, federal wire fraud can be charged if the fraudulent scheme involves crossing state lines or if it is committed on federal property. For example, if a person in Minnesota uses the internet to defraud someone in another state, they may be charged with federal wire fraud. Similarly, if a person in Minnesota uses the telephone to defraud someone on federal property, such as a military base, they may be charged with federal wire fraud.
Federal wire fraud is a serious criminal offense that carries severe penalties, including the possibility of prison time and significant fines. If you have been charged with federal wire fraud in Minnesota, it is important to speak with a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to understand your legal options. A lawyer can help you defend against the charges and protect your rights.
Tax Evasion
It is important to note that these crimes move rather quickly through the federal courts. You will see a case move faster through the federal court than you will through state and local courts. That is why you need to get in touch with a Minnesota defense attorney as soon as possible. You need someone who is accustomed to the rapid pace of the federal court system and who can gather and interpret information quickly in order to build a solid case for you.
Federal Criminal Penalties
Where a state level conviction may not require jail time, a federal crime may impose a jail sentence on an individual. Federal fines may be many times higher than a fine imposed by a state court. Not only can a prison term and stiff fines be imposed when convicted of a federal crime, but a person’s reputation can be ruined. When a federal conviction is a public record, it can be difficult to secure a job in the future and even find a place to live.
It is important to acknowledge that there are collateral consequences, as well, when it comes to federal crimes. Make sure you protect yourself by using an aggressive attorney who knows how to work within the federal courts and win.
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Minnesota
Call Kevin DeVore 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 651-435-6500 and speak to a Minnesota criminal defense attorney immediately. Kevin DeVore has an office in Woodbury, Minnesota and helps clients throughout the metro including surrounding St. Paul, Lake Elmo, and Oakdale.