DEFENDING FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES IN PENNSYLVANIA
Information on what happens when you face federal criminal charges and the federal court process from Pittsburgh’s Top Federal Attorneys
When you are charged with committing a crime you may face both state and federal charges. When this happens, you have two separate cases to fight against: one with a state prosecutor and one with a separate federal prosecutor.
It is not uncommon for one accused of a crime to be charged with both state and federal charges, especially white-collar crimes, fraud, sex crimes or drug crimes.
Criminal penalties for a federal crime are typically more severe than state punishments. Therefore, it is important to have a reputable criminal attorney well-versed in both state and federal court to help guide you through the legal process and help fight to have your sentences reduced or dropped altogether.
In addition, your attorney needs to be licensed to practice in federal court—not every criminal lawyer is licensed to practice in federal court and it makes sense to have one attorney who can fight your charges in both courts.
At Ketchel Law, we are well-versed in both state and federal court systems and can help you understand your rights and your options to fight against your charges.
If you were indicted on a federal crime, or think you may be charged or are under investigation, contact Attorney Justin J. Ketchel immediately for a free case evaluation.
LEGAL CASE EVALUATIONS FOR FEDERAL CHARGES IN PA
The criminal justice system, on both the state and federal level, must presume you are innocent of all charges unless a judge or jury finds you guilty.
At Ketchel Law, our greatest strength lies in critically analyzing and dissecting the details of your case and looking for inherent weaknesses, and questioning the testimony of any experts or witnesses.
Remember, being charged with a crime, does not mean that you will be convicted. It is extremely important that you are represented properly throughout the duration of your case.
If you suspect you are under investigation for a federal crime, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
For a free evaluation of your case, please call Attorney Justin Ketchel today at 412-456-1221.
FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES
Oftentimes white-collar crimes are charged at the federal level. These can include:
- Bribery
- Forgery and Falsifying Documents
- Embezzlement
- Fraud (bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud)
- Insider Trading
- Money Laundering
- RICO / Racketeering Violations
- Tax Evasion
- Tax Fraud
- Federal Tax Crimes
- Health Care Fraud
- Federal Gun Violations
In addition to white-collar crimes, there are a number of other crimes commonly charged at the federal level:
- Antitrust Violations
- Federal Sex Crimes
- Conspiracy
- Federal Drug Crimes
- Computer/Cyber Crimes
- Environmental Crimes
- Homeland Security/Immigration Crimes
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE INVESTIGATED UNDER FEDERAL LAW OR CHARGED WITH A FEDERAL CRIME
A major difference between a state court case and a federal court case is how the process unfolds. In a state court case, a person is usually arrested for a crime and then formally arraigned in court.
The process then goes to a pre-trial hearing and then trial and sentencing. However, in a federal court case, the process often begins with a grand jury—especially when the case involves a felony.
A grand jury’s sole purpose is to hear the evidence and determine if there is enough to charge the accused with a crime. If the grand jury determines that there is enough evidence, they will hand down an indictment.
It is not until the indictment is handed down that the accused is arrested for the crime in question. After the arrest, the case will move forward into discovery, plea bargain negotiations, trial, and sentencing.
If you or your loved one has been charged with a federal crime or are under investigation for a federal crime, it is important to speak with an experienced and aggressive lawyer as soon as possible.
How Ketchel Law Can Help
We will stick with you from start to finish.
From the moment you engage Ketchel Law to represent you, we will work tirelessly to ensure every aspect of your defense is addressed at every phase. We will make certain you understand your rights and options so that you are prepared at every turn. From pre-trial hearings through the trial and beyond, we will fight to have your charges dropped or significantly reduced.
With vast differences between state and federal cases, it is extremely important that you have a knowledgeable and experienced federal crimes attorney on your side. We understand what you are going through and will tirelessly fight on your behalf to ensure that your arrest has a minimal impact on every aspect of your life.
We will attempt to discredit evidence not in your favor and work closely with you to find the best course of action in defending your rights and your freedom.