Dallas Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Serving the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas
If you or your loved one is facing federal charges in North Texas, now is not the time to cut corners. The single most important thing you can do is hire a seasoned Dallas federal criminal defense attorney who has substantial experience handling federal cases in Texas.
Federal cases are much different than state cases. For starters, the cases are usually much more complex and move through the justice system incredibly fast. Federal courtroom rules and procedures are also very different and will require the expertise of a skilled and strategic federal criminal defense lawyer.
Not to mention, the stakes are much higher in federal court. If you are convicted, you could be facing years, or even decades, in prison without the possibility of parole. That’s why you can’t leave anything to chance. The Dallas federal criminal defense team at Varghese Summersett know how to navigate every stage of the federal court process and will aggressively fight to protect your rights and freedom.
In this blog post, we will offer an overview of the federal criminal process and what you can expect if you are facing federal charges in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Please be sure to watch the videos by Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer Benson Varghese.
What is a federal crime?
A federal crime is defined as any violation of a federal statute – which are the laws passed by the U.S. Congress. Some of the most common federal crimes our Dallas criminal defense lawyers handle involve drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, computer crimes, and weapons charges including but not limited to:
- Drug conspiracy
- Healthcare fraud
- Child pornography
- Money laundering
- Pill mills
- RICO violations
- Ponzi schemes
- Embezzlement
- Tax evasion
Federal crimes are investigated by federal law enforcement agencies including the FBI, DEA, and DHS. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a federal crime, it is important to understand that you are up against the full weight and resources of the federal government.
That is why it is critical that you have an experienced Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer on your side who knows how to level the playing field and protect your rights.
How do you know if you are under federal investigation?
If you are under federal investigation, one of the following will happen:
- You will receive a target letter from a federal prosecutor notifying you that you are the target of an investigation and that the government has obtained evidence against you.
- You will get arrested on a complaint, meaning a federal judge signed a warrant for your arrest. This is pre-indictment.
- You will be indicted by a federal grand jury and then arrested, which means the prosecutor has already taken the case to a grand jury and locked in the charges against you.
If you are under investigation or have been charged with a federal crime, it is important to seek out the help of an experienced Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
What happens if you are arrested on a federal charge?
If you are arrested on a federal charge, you will have a preliminary hearing during which you will find out the charges, your rights, and whether you will remain in custody. Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer Benson Varghese explains what happens in this short video.
What is the federal criminal process?
As mentioned, the federal criminal process is much different than in state court and it goes much faster. The infographic below shows the timeline of a federal criminal case.
What is the difference between state and federal cases?
The main difference between state and federal charges is that federal charges are brought by the United States government, while state charges are brought by state or local prosecutors.
Other key differences include:
- Federal crimes are typically more serious than state crimes. For example, drug trafficking is a federal crime, while possession of a small amount of drugs is typically a state crime.
- Because federal crimes often involve schemes and conspiracies with many people, it is not uncommon for multiple defendants to be tried at the same time in the same federal court. It is rare for multiple defendants to be tried at the same time in state court.
- Jury selection is very short in federal trials and the judge does most of the talking. During state trials, jury selection is extensive and attorneys ask prospective jurors numerous questions.
- Judges always assess punishment in federal cases. Jurors only decide guilt or innocence; they do not participate in sentencing.
- Probation and parole are non-existent in the federal system, but are common in the state system.
- Federal crimes also tend to be more complex than state crimes, which is why it’s so important to hire an experienced Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer if you are facing federal charges.
How does federal sentencing work?
Federal sentencing is always by a judge – never by a jury. In 1987, Congress enacted the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to try and bring uniformity to federal sentencing. Although the Guidelines are no longer mandatory, they are still heavily relied on by federal judges when imposing sentences.
Federal sentencing, in turn, has become complicated. That’s why it’s important to hire a Dallas federal criminal defense attorney who understands the law that applies to the offense and the specific sentence. We know how to best prepare clients for a pre-sentence report interview, make proper objections, file the proper sentencing memorandum and make the most effective sentencing arguments in cases that get to the sentencing phase.
Please take a moment to watch this comprehensive video by Board Certified Attorney Benson Varghese about federal sentencing.
Contact a Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer
If you or a loved one is facing federal criminal charges or believe you are a target of a federal investigation, it is critical that you contact an experienced Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Call 214-903-4000 for a free consultation with a strategic, skilled, and seasoned federal defense attorney at Varghese Summersett today.
