Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney for Your Federal Charges Right Away
All crimes are charged at the local, state, or federal level. If you have been accused of committing a federal crime, you have been accused of breaking a national law. Due to the seriousness of this charge, you need to speak with a St. Louis federal criminal defense attorney at Combs Waterkotte right away. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation.
A federal crime is an act that is made illegal by U.S. federal legislation enacted by both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives and signed into law by the president. Based on the dual sovereignty doctrine, prosecution happens at both the federal and state levels and so a federal crime is one that is prosecuted under federal criminal law and not under state criminal law, under which most of the crimes committed in the country are prosecuted. Examples of federal crimes our St. Louis criminal defense attorneys have experience in include:
What Constitutes a Federal Crime in St. Louis?
Many St. Louis residents assume that all federal charges are harsher than state charges, but this isn’t necessarily true. Most federal crimes can be found under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. The list is daunting. There are so many federal criminal laws, it is impossible for citizens to know them all. A lot of lawyers don’t know them, but, not to worry, the St. Louis criminal defense team at Combs Waterkotte does. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online. A good rule of thumb is that if a federal organization like the FBI, DEA, or ATF is investigating the offense, it will likely result in federal charges being filed. Examples of federal crimes include:
Crimes Crossing Borders
Even if the crime you commit is not a federal law violation, per se, you still may face federal charges depending on where the crime occurred. Any crime that occurs when crossing state lines can warrant federal charges. For example, traveling with drugs from Missouri to Illinois would be a federal crime. This is a particular problem in St. Louis, due to constantly being in close proximity to the Metro East.
Additionally, even if you don’t physically cross state borders, any crime that does can still be a federal offense. One example of this would be a wire fraud claim that targets people around the country through the use of the internet, phone, or mail. While you didn’t leave your home state, the crime was technically committed in other states around the country.
Defrauding a Federal Organization
If a federal organization is involved in the criminal offense, it will be considered a federal crime. The most common example of this is fraud against a government agency, including:
- Tax fraud
- Medicare/Healthcare fraud
- Social security fraud
- Counterfeiting money
- Forging federal documents
Aggravated Offenses
If a crime is particularly heinous or violent, it might result in federal charges. Examples in St. Louis include:
- Aggravated assault/battery
- Aggravated sexual abuse
- Killing a federal officer
- Child pornography
- Assisting a prisoner escaping
- Terrorism
- Money laundering
- Sex crimes against children
What Should I Do If I’m Charged With a Federal Crime in St. Louis?
Federal crimes are not taken lightly and, in many cases, prosecutors will work on a case for weeks to months before you are even aware you’re suspected of a crime. If you have recently been contacted by a federal organization regarding a crime or have been arrested and are facing federal charges, there are actions you should take, including:
Contact an Attorney at Combs Waterkotte
As previously stated, the criminal process for state and federal crimes is different. You want a lawyer in St. Louis who knows these differences and has experience handling federal cases. You want Combs Waterkotte in your corner. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online. Our federal criminal defense team in St. Louis can help advise you of your rights, provide guidance, advocate for you, and dedicate ourselves to intense investigation on your behalf to get the best possible outcome.
Stay Silent
It is best not to discuss your pending case with anyone except your attorney from Combs Waterkotte. Keep as many details to yourself as possible. You never know when what you say will be twisted and used against you, so don’t take the risk.
Prepare for a Hearing
After being arrested, there will be a detention hearing. Here a judge will determine whether or not to release you from custody. This will be determined based on the severity of the federal crime, evidence available, and personal factors about you. We will do our homework to prepare for this hearing – getting pertinent evidence and witness statements, as well as strong character witnesses amongst your friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers. We’ll leave no stone unturned in your defense.
Understand Plea Deals
It’s common for federal cases to result in plea deals, rather than going through a full jury trial. You should have a solid understanding of what accepting a plea bargain from the prosecution entails. A plea deal is when the prosecutor offers you reduced charges or a more lenient sentence in exchange for pleading guilty and waiving your right to a trial. As always, we can help you through the process and negotiate the best agreement for you, should you choose to go that route.
Contact a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney at Combs Waterkotte in St. Louis to Find Out: What Constitutes a Federal Crime?
If you are facing federal charges of any kind in St. Louis or anywhere throughout Missouri, Combs Waterkotte has the necessary resources and experience to handle your case. Whether the evidence is stacked against you or you are innocent of the federal charges, our federal criminal defense attorneys in St. Louis will give you the attentive, dedicated, and aggressive legal representation you are entitled to. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online to schedule a free case review to discuss the specifics of your case.
