Big Rapids, MI Criminal Defense Lawyer

Federal Crimes

In addition to state charges, federal crimes are serious offenses that carry more severe penalties. If you’re facing charges at the federal level, you need a criminal defense lawyer with specific knowledge of federal law and procedures. Federal charges can include:

• Drug Trafficking: Drug trafficking is a federal offense that carries significant consequences, including lengthy prison sentences and hefty fines. In federal drug crimes, the weight of the drugs drives the entire case, even when certain counts are dismissed, and understanding the complexities of the federal sentencing guidelines is essential to achieving a favorable outcome.
• White Collar Crimes: Federal offenses related to fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, healthcare fraud, and other financial crimes require skilled defense to navigate the complexities     . These cases often involve lengthy multi-agency investigations and thousands of pages of records. Our team at SBBL Law is well-versed in defending clients against complex white-collar investigations.
• Firearms Offenses: Possession of illegal firearms or trafficking firearms is a serious federal crime that can result in lengthy prison sentences.
• Internet Crimes: Federal prosecutors often pursue cases involving cybercrimes such as identity theft, online fraud, child pornography, and computer hacking. These charges are aggressively prosecuted and require an attorney with a deep understanding of digital evidence and legal defense strategies.
• Immigration Violations: Criminal violations of immigration law, including illegal reentry or human trafficking, are handled at the federal level and carry steep penalties.
• Federal Drug Crimes: Involvement in interstate or international drug trafficking or manufacturing is prosecuted in federal court and requires strategic legal defense.

Federal criminal cases are typically more complex, and the penalties are often more severe, than state-level charges. If you’re facing a federal investigation or have already been charged, we are here to help guide you through the process and defend your rights. The earlier you contact a federal criminal defense attorney, the more guidance they can give you on how to avoid charges in the first place.

FAQs

Q: What Should You Not Tell a Lawyer?

A: It’s important not to withhold crucial facts, even if they seem embarrassing or incriminating. Avoid lying or exaggerating details, as it can harm your case. Do not share information that could be considered privileged outside of your attorney-client relationship. Never discuss your case with others, especially on social media, as it could damage your legal standing.

Q: Can Your Lawyer Turn Against You?

A: A lawyer cannot turn against their client in the sense of betraying them. However, if a lawyer has a conflict of interest, violates ethical rules, or feels unable to represent the client competently, they may withdraw from the case. Lawyers are bound by confidentiality, but their primary duty is to act in the interest of justice.

Q: How Do I Know If My Lawyer Is Bad?

A: Signs of a bad lawyer include poor communication, lack of transparency, missed deadlines, and failure to keep you informed about your case. If your lawyer seems disorganized, doesn’t answer your questions clearly, or makes promises they can’t keep, these may be red flags. A lack of professionalism often indicates bigger issues. In Big Rapids, our attorneys routinely take over cases from other attorneys who were not meeting the client’s expectations. Judges must agree to allow an attorney to withdraw, and courts frown on changing attorneys too often because it slows their case docket down and causes unnecessary delays, but most judges will allow a person charged with a crime to switch attorneys for the first time without too much scrutiny.

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