Titusville Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

What Happens When You Are Charged With a Federal Crime?

If you are suspected of committing a federal crime, the government will spend months, if not years, building a case against you. Federal investigations are incredibly thorough and often involve multiple agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and ATF. The government will typically use extensive resources and manpower to investigate you and gather evidence to use against you in court.

Once the government believes it has enough evidence to proceed, it will usually present its case to a grand jury. The grand jury will review the evidence and determine if there is enough probable cause to charge you with a federal crime. Unlike a trial jury, a grand jury is not tasked with determining guilt or innocence. Instead, it is only responsible for determining if there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial.

If the grand jury returns an indictment, you will be arrested and charged with a federal crime. You will then be required to appear before a federal magistrate judge, who will inform you of your rights and the charges against you. The judge will also determine if you should be released on bail or if you should be held in custody until your trial.

What Is the Federal Criminal Process?

After you have been arrested and charged with a federal crime, the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. The process is similar to that of a state criminal case but can be more complex and time-consuming.

The federal criminal process typically involves the following steps:

• Initial appearance: This is your first court appearance after you have been arrested and charged with a federal crime. You will be informed of the charges against you and your rights, and the judge will determine if you should be released on bail.
• Preliminary hearing: This is a hearing that takes place after your arrest and initial appearance. During the preliminary hearing, the judge will determine if there is enough probable cause to proceed with the case. If the judge determines that there is enough evidence, the case will proceed to the grand jury. If the judge determines that there is not enough evidence, the charges will be dropped.
• Grand jury: If the judge determines that there is enough probable cause, the case will proceed to the grand jury. The grand jury will review the evidence and determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial. If the grand jury returns an indictment, you will be charged with a federal crime and arraigned.
• Arraignment: This is the formal reading of the charges against you. You will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. In many cases, your federal crime defense attorney in Titusville will enter a not guilty plea on your behalf. If you are charged with a capital offense, you will also be informed of your right to a court-appointed attorney.
• Pre-trial motions: After the arraignment, your attorney and the federal prosecutor will file pre-trial motions. These can include motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and more. The judge will review the motions and make a ruling. If evidence is suppressed or the case is dismissed, the charges against you may be dropped. If the judge denies the motions, the case will proceed to trial.
• Trial: The trial is the most important part of the federal criminal process. During the trial, the prosecution and defense will present their case to the jury. The jury will then deliberate and determine if you are guilty or not guilty. If the jury returns a guilty verdict, the judge will sentence you.
• Sentencing: If you are found guilty of a federal crime, the judge will sentence you. Federal sentencing guidelines are used to determine the appropriate sentence. The guidelines are based on the severity of the crime and your criminal history and are used to determine the appropriate sentence. In some cases, the judge may be required to impose a mandatory minimum sentence.
• Appeal: If you are found guilty of a federal crime and believe that the court made an error that affected the outcome of the case, you can file an appeal. The appellate court will review the record and determine if an error occurred. If an error is found, the court will either order a new trial or vacate the conviction. If no error is found, the court will affirm the conviction.

How Are Federal Crimes Punished?

As previously mentioned, federal crimes are typically more severe than state crimes and carry harsher penalties. In many cases, a federal conviction will result in a mandatory minimum sentence, meaning the judge will be required to impose a certain sentence.

Some of the factors that can affect your sentence include:

• The nature and severity of the crime
• Your criminal history
• The presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors
• The quality of your defense

Federal sentencing guidelines are used to determine the appropriate sentence. The guidelines are based on the severity of the crime and your criminal history and are used to determine the appropriate sentence. In some cases, the judge may be required to impose a mandatory minimum sentence.

In addition to lengthy prison sentences, federal convictions can also result in other life-altering consequences. You may be required to pay significant fines, which can total millions of dollars. You may also be required to pay restitution to the victims of your crime.