How To Hire a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Are you confuse that how to hire a federal criminal defense lawyer for your case. so keep reading until the end. A skilled federal criminal defense lawyer is a valuable resource to have on your side at any stage in the federal criminal process.
Whether you have been arrested by federal agents or indicted by a grand jury, or you learn that you are under investigation for a federal crime, the first step you should take in protecting your rights is hiring a reputable criminal defense lawyer who specializes in federal law.
A good defense attorney will get right to work reviewing your case, assessing your potential criminal liability and building a defense against the government’s charges.
On this page, we have compiled some tips that you can refer to when looking for the right criminal defense lawyer to represent you in your federal case. For more information about defending against federal criminal charges or to schedule a free consultation with our skilled federal defense attorneys, contact
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers today. Our attorneys have more than 40 years of combined experience representing clients in state and federal cases and we are prepared to aggressively defend you against your federal charges.
Why You Need an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer
The federal government takes any violation of federal law seriously and has extensive resources at its disposal to vigorously investigate and prosecute federal offenses, which it does with regularity.
If you are under investigation for a serious federal offense like embezzlement, drug distribution, money laundering or RICO violations, you are up against the federal government and the stakes are higher than ever. That means you don’t need just any attorney, you need an attorney who is an expert in his field, one who has a clear understanding of the federal court process and the United States Code.
The consequences of a criminal conviction are far more severe at the federal level than they are at the state level and if you are found guilty of a serious federal crime, you could end up being sentenced to years or decades in federal prison. For the most egregious federal offenses, the punishment handed down by the court may include life imprisonment or possibly even the death penalty.
At Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers, our criminal defense lawyers know how devastating a conviction would be for you and your loved ones and we promise to fight for your rights, your freedom and your future every step of the way.
Tips for Hiring the Right Defense Attorney
Make sure you choose the right kind of lawyer.
The criminal justice system in the United States is made up of two distinct areas: federal criminal law and state criminal law.
The federal criminal justice system is very different from the state criminal justice system in California, and an attorney who only has experience defending clients against state charges will not be anywhere near ready to defend you against your federal charges.
Unlike a state case, which is prosecuted in state court by a District Attorney (prosecuting attorney), a federal case is prosecuted in federal court by an Assistant U.S. Attorney (federal prosecutor). Sentencing in the two types of cases is also different.
The punishment in state cases is determined by state law and may include a county jail or state prison sentence, while the sentences handed down by a federal court are dictated by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which impose harsh penalties upon convicted offenders, often including a federal prison sentence.
No matter what federal charges you are facing, do yourself a huge favor and make sure you choose a federal defense attorney who is licensed and qualified to represent your defense.
Look for a lawyer who has experience handling federal cases like yours.
The worst mistake you can make in obtaining legal counsel for your federal case is hiring the first lawyer to return your call. Sure, you are nervous about being targeted by the government for an alleged federal crime and you want to get your case underway.
And it does help to get an attorney working on your case as quickly as possible. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need to take the time to find a lawyer who has relevant experience in the area of the law that pertains to your case.
Your entire future could be on the line if you are facing criminal charges in federal court and you will want to do everything you can to set yourself up for success.
Keep in mind that no attorney worth his salt will guarantee you a specific result. That being said, if you have been arrested or charged with a federal drug offense, you want a defense attorney in your corner who has a proven record of success defending clients against federal drug charges.
If you are facing criminal charges for money laundering, you need a lawyer who has experience handling white-collar crimes. You can find this information by researching the lawyer online and/or asking him about his experience.
The federal government is a formidable adversary and your attorney’s expertise will go a long way towards helping you get the best possible outcome in your case. Here are some questions you can consider asking:
• How long have you practiced criminal law?
• How often do you appear in federal court?
• How often have you appeared in the court where my case will be heard?
• How often do your cases go to trial?
• When was the last time you appeared in federal court? What was the case?
• Have you ever represented a client in a case like mine?
• What is your success rate?
• Do you have any testimonials from past clients I can read?
• Will you be the one working on my case?
• What strategy would you propose for handling my case?
Find out how much the lawyer you are considering will cost.
Hiring an attorney can get expensive. At the beginning of the process, you have no idea how long your case may take to resolve and how costly your financial obligation may end up being. Quality legal representation takes time and that time can add up quickly.
Once you narrow down your list to a few potential attorneys, be upfront about what you can afford and ask direct questions about how you would be charged if you were to hire the firm.
Some lawyers charge by the hour and others charge a flat fee. Federal criminal cases tend to be fairly complex and depending on the nature of your charge, one or the other pricing structure may be more beneficial to you.
Before you make any kind of commitment, make sure you understand how the lawyer will figure out your fee. Keep in mind that many law firms offer a no-cost initial consultation and we highly recommend taking advantage of that offer.
Schedule an initial consultation.
At Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers, we offer prospective clients a free case evaluation, during which you have the opportunity to discuss your case with our defense team with no obligation to hire our firm.
Every federal case is different, with unique factors that can affect the prosecution’s case and the defense attorney’s approach, and it will benefit both you and your attorney if you can lay out the basic facts of your case during an initial consultation and get an idea how your case may play out.
A consultation is also a good opportunity to reflect on how comfortable you are with the attorney who would handle your case.
Your entire future is on the line when federal charges are involved and you want someone you can trust to protect your rights, be honest with you and keep the lines of communication open throughout the duration of your case.
Consult Our Defense Attorneys at Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
If you learn that you are under investigation for a federal crime, or if you have been indicted and are now facing criminal charges at the federal level, your freedom and future are at risk and you need the best possible federal defense lawyer to represent you.
When it comes to choosing the right criminal defense attorney for your federal case, you should know that not all attorneys are equal in terms of quality and integrity. There are those attorneys who truly believe in justice and will fight for you tooth and nail, and then there are those who are just looking to make a quick buck.
At Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers, our defense lawyers believe that every person accused of committing a crime deserves a chance to fight the charges against them and clear their name. Unfortunately, the process of finding and hiring the right federal criminal defense attorney can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if this is your first encounter with the federal criminal justice system.
Do you choose the attorney offering the lowest price? The one who claims to have a personal relationship with the judge and/or prosecutor? The one who promises to get the charges dismissed? Our legal team at Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers is committed to making the hiring process as simple and straightforward as possible, so you can concentrate on what matters most – your family.
Consider the tips above when looking for an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent you in your federal case.