If you’ve been convicted of a crime, you may be wondering whether you need a federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa. That is an excellent question to ask yourself. The distinguishing factors between federal crimes and state crimes are complex, so knowledge is power when it comes to this topic.
From traffic violations to murder, state crime encompasses all actions that violate state laws. The majority of crimes committed fall under the umbrella of state crime.
State crimes include, but are not limited to:
Federal crimes are specifically outlined federal offenses, including but not limited to:
Felonies, drug trafficking, and certain other crimes can be both state crimes and federal crimes.
If the suspect in a case is of great interest to federal law enforcement, federal authorities will probably invoke the US Constitution’s “Supremacy Clause,” which states that federal law will trump state law. When this occurs, the federal authorities will take over the case.
Usually, if a crime that isn’t designated as a federal crime occurs in one specific state, it is a state crime. If it crosses state lines, occurs throughout a number of states, or occurs to/on federal property, it typically becomes a federal crime.
If a federal case goes to trial, it will be prosecuted by the United States Attorney instead of a district or state attorney. In the event of a conviction, they will follow federal guidelines. The convict can do jail time in a federal prison instead of a state correctional facility.
Federal cases are no joke. Any case should be taken seriously; however, it is important to realize how much more evidence can be brought against a defendant in a federal case. In a typical state court criminal case, there may be a folder of evidence. Criminal cases, on the other hand, usually involve an all-encompassing investigation, complete with multiple boxes of evidence and discovery.
Since the minority of overall crimes are federal, there are fewer truly experienced federal defense attorneys out there. If you need a federal defense lawyer in Tampa, find one with a proven record of success.
For a free consultation with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney in Tampa, contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.