Federal criminal cases are different from other types of criminal cases — the rules of procedure are unbending; the charges are usually complex; and the penalties are severe.
A federal crime or federal offense is an act that is made illegal by U.S. federal legislation. Federal prosecutors have enormous power and an extremely high conviction rate as the Government spares no expense in prosecuting individuals accused of federal crimes. If you have been accused of a federal crime, you should be aware that while both Illinois and federal convictions can result in prison sentences, there are federal sentencing guidelines that mandate minimum sentences for convictions under the United States Criminal Codes. Some federal crimes have a mandatory minimum sentence of five or ten years in federal prison, plus fines, and some can even include life in prison, plus fines.
Due to the seriousness and complexity of the laws, it is essential to get top-notch legal assistance when charged with any federal crimes. The experienced Illinois federal crime defense lawyers at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. are skilled trial lawyers who believe each case is unique, with its own set of circumstances and requirements, and we will work with you to mount the most effective defense possible. We offer a free consultation, so contact us for help today at 630-305-0222 if you have been accused of any federal criminal charges.
Federal crimes include many acts that occur on U.S. federal property or on Indian reservations or are specifically penalized. Federal crimes frequently involve drug offenses, immigration offenses, weapons offenses, and many white-collar crimes and fraud offenses. Many federal crimes are listed under Title 18 of the United States Code, the criminal and penal code of the federal government. These include:
The government utilizes federal agencies to investigate federal offenses, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Secret Service.
When it comes to drug-related federal offenses, there may be mandatory minimums if someone manufactures, sells, imports/exports, trafficks, or cultivates illegal controlled substances across state boundaries or national borders or involves certain drugs. The government is cracking down on drug charges, and U.S. Attorney General Sessions recently instructed federal prosecutors to use the maximum charges in drug cases that involve the trafficking of drugs over state lines. A second conviction for drug offenses will double the minimum prison sentence.
You can be charged federally if drug offenses occur on federal property, even for something small, like smoking marijuana at a national park. It’s a federal offense when the drug crime involves an undercover federal agent or if you are picked up in a drug bust by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The charge may become federal when local law enforcement works together with federal agencies or if the case involves multiple states or countries.
At times, areas of responsibility may overlap, and state and federal agencies work together to decide if the charge will be on a state or federal level, or even at the state level first and then the federal level at a later time.
Be aware that most federal cases have a long period of investigation and evidence collection, so the conviction rate on these cases is very high. Consulting with a highly experience federal criminal attorney you can trust is essential for a successful defense.
If you have been charged with any federal crime in Illinois, you need to hire the best criminal defense attorney that you can find. The experienced and seasoned Illinois federal crime defense attorneys at Wolfe & Stec, Ltd. will examine the facts, the individuals involved, and the evidence available in every situation. We work with our clients throughout the criminal process to come up with an effective defense strategy and determine whether to take a case to trial. Our goal is always to minimize the negative impact of the situation and to focus on protecting your freedoms, liberties and rights.
We are aggressive litigators and will answer all your questions and make sure you fully understand the facts surrounding your case. We represent clients in DuPage County, Naperville, Aurora, Wheaton, Downers Grove and Bolingbrook, and the greater Chicagoland area.
Delaying can only make your situation worse, so contact us and call 630-305-0222 today to schedule your free initial consultation.
