What is a Federal Crime?

There are few things more damaging than being charged with a crime. That being said, federal crimes frequently are even more damaging than crimes committed at the state level, which is why if you are being charged with a federal crime, you must read on and reach out to our experienced Houston criminal defense attorneys today to learn more about these crimes and how we can help you fight the consequences they may result in. Here are some of the questions you may have:

What classifies as a federal crime?

If you are someone who is currently being charged with a federal crime, it means you violated certain conditions that warrant your case to be tried on a federal level, as opposed to a state level. That being said, there are several factors that may constitute someone being charged with a federal crime here in the United State. Those factors are as follows:

  • The individual committed a customs and immigration violation.
  • The crime committed violated the United States Code.
  • The individual crossed state lines while committing the crime in question.
  • The individual committed a criminal offense on federally-owned land.
  • The individual committed a criminal offense against a federal official.

If you are charged with doing any of the aforementioned, your case will most likely be prosecuted in federal court by the United States Attorney’s Office.

What are some examples of crimes that are generally considered federal crimes?

In the United States, there are over 100 crimes that are considered to be federal offenses. These crimes are recognized under Title 18 of the United States Code. The three most common federal crimes our firm sees are the possession of child pornography, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. If you are charged with any of those three crimes, it goes without saying that you have a lot on the line.

Do I need an attorney if I am being charged with a federal crime?

If you are being charged with a federal crime, or even a state-level crime, you absolutely need to retain the services of an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney. Our firm can work to fight your charges to either have them mitigated or, in the best cases, dropped altogether. If you are convicted of a federal crime, you will most likely spend years in prison, face very heavy fines, and obtain a criminal record that will follow you for the rest of your life. Our job is to fight, tooth-and-nail, to prevent that from happening.

Contact our experienced Houston firm

We understand how challenging various legal matters can be, which is why we have dedicated ourselves to helping clients in Texas through a wide array of legal matters, including personal injury law and criminal defense. If you have sustained a serious injury or are facing criminal charges, contact the Gonzalez Law Group today to learn more about how we can help you through every step of the legal process ahead.