Atlanta Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Federal Crimes

Atlanta Federal Crimes Defense Attorney

Federal criminal charges are extremely serious and will be prosecuted by a government with unlimited resources. A conviction for a federal crime usually means a harsh sentence in an extremely violent and dangerous federal prison. You should be very concerned if you have been charged with any federal crime.

When you need an Atlanta federal criminal defense lawyer you can trust to have experience and knowledge, you need to contact Lawrence J. Zimmerman. Federal crimes are some of the most serious matters you can run afoul of. Therefore, you need a capable legal team in Atlanta, GA, to defend your rights and advocate for you in court.

Why You Should Trust Lawrence J. Zimmerman

If you have been charged with, or are under investigation for, any type of federal crimes you should immediately hire Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Lawrence Zimmerman. Lawrence Zimmerman is an experienced and successful federal criminal lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia.

Mr. Zimmerman has over 25 years of experience working in criminal defense. He opened his first law firm within a year of passing the bar exam and graduating from Roger Williams University. When you need an Atlanta federal criminal defense lawyer, you will find few as qualified and experienced as Mr. Zimmerman.

What Are Federal Crimes?

Federal crimes are somewhat rare in America. The criminal justice system handles most crimes at the state or county level. However, some crimes rise to a high enough level to involve the federal government in the proceedings. These are federal crimes. Such infractions are often severe and carry harsh penalties.

Some people are confused about why the federal government does not handle the prosecution of all crimes. The simple answer lies in the United States Constitution. The Constitution outlines what crimes rise to the federal level and which are state matters. The reason for the separation is to not bog down one part of the government with too much bureaucracy.

Despite not being as common as cases handled at the state level, there are many federal crimes that a person can run afoul of. Many of these crimes are white-collar in nature, though some involve violent offenses.

Like state crimes, the federal government breaks down its crimes into misdemeanors and felonies. The federal government has five classifications for federal felonies. Class A felonies carry the risk of a lifetime in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Lesser grades will still net you substantial time in federal prison.

In addition to misdemeanors and felonies, the federal government also denotes some crimes as infractions. You won’t find yourself serving any hard time with these crimes, but you will owe a fine to the federal government.

Should I Hire a Lawyer When Dealing With an Accusation of Federal Crimes?

Federal crimes are some of the most serious crimes the government can accuse you of committing. If you find yourself facing a federal charge, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Federal crimes carry different penalties than state infractions, and a punishment that may have been somewhat minor at the state level may land you in federal prison for years.

Federal crimes are not beholden to the same rules of double jeopardy that state courts are. The crime you committed possibly violated state and federal law. If this is true, you will have to defend yourself in both a state and federal court. You will need a lawyer with experience working in your state as well as at a federal level.

There are no laws from either state or federal governments demanding that a person hire a lawyer. You are always free to represent yourself in any legal matter, no matter if it’s murder or just a civil dispute over money. However, federal crimes carry plenty of weight, and having a conviction on your record can lead to a lack of employment opportunities in the future.

Hiring an Atlanta federal criminal defense lawyer like Lawrence J. Zimmerman can give you an advantage when heading to federal court. An experienced lawyer can fight to acquit you of any charges you face. If acquittal isn’t possible, attorneys know how to negotiate to give you a fair sentence.

Facing a federal crime is stressful. You will be very emotional, and with the high stakes comes more pressure. You will likely not be in the right place mentally to defend yourself from the charges. That’s where a seasoned Atlanta federal criminal defense lawyer can help you. They have an unbiased view and can give you an idea of your chances in open court.

You will also need to be as knowledgeable as a lawyer at the federal and state level if you choose to represent yourself. While the judge will grant you leeway in how you proceed, you are far less likely to successfully counter the prosecution’s arguments without a lawyer in your corner.

Remember, the federal government has plenty of resources at its disposal. They will do everything they can to attempt to enforce their laws. You will have very little chance of defeating a federal prosecutor in court without the aid of a federal criminal defense attorney.

Types of Federal Crimes

Since federal crimes cover such a range of offenses, it is more useful to have an overview of some common federal cases that Lawrence J. Zimmerman can assist you with.

Drug Trafficking

Drug trafficking is one of the most common federal crimes the courts see. Despite the commonality of the offense, drug trafficking carries severe penalties with it for offenders.

Drug trafficking does not account for someone buying a small amount of a controlled substance from a street dealer. Instead, this charge deals with those importing or exporting drugs into the United States or across state lines.

There are some ways to defend yourself against a drug trafficking charge. You will need an experienced lawyer to help sway a judge. Possible defenses include:

• You didn’t know the drugs were on your person or in your vehicle.
• Officers conducted an illegal search.
• Someone entrapped you.

White-Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes also involve a wide range of offenses. A non-violent crime involving someone gaining assets or money is a white-collar crime. These crimes may happen in corporations or governments. Both instances may amount to federal crimes depending on the circumstances of the offense.

White-collar crimes include:

• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Identity theft
• Bribery
• Cybercrimes

Committing any of these crimes, especially while as a member of a government organization, could land you in federal court.

Some people don’t even know that they are committing a white-collar crime while doing it. Other white-collar crime accusations rise out of a misunderstanding.

Crimes Committed in Multiple States

One reason for the existence of a federal level of prosecution is to address offenses that happen in two or more states. Committing a crime that normally calls for a state court, if it only took place in one state, in multiple states will result in federal prosecution.

To use an extreme example, if you murdered someone in New York and then disposed of the body in Pennsylvania, you would be committing a federal crime.

If you commit two separate crimes in two states, you can only face charges at the state level in both states. If a prosecutor can prove that the two crimes were linked, you may find yourself in federal court.

Crimes on Federal Government Property

Any crime committed on federal government property, no matter how minor, could be considered a federal crime. Federal government property includes any federal government buildings like prisons or courthouses. The federal government may also look to prosecute for crimes you commit in national parks, reservations, planes in flight, and ships at sea.

You may be able to have your lawyer show that the crime was not committed on federal property to avoid a federal charge.

FAQs About Atlanta, GA Federal Criminal Defense Laws

How Much Is a Defense Attorney in Georgia?

The average cost for a federal criminal defense lawyer is around $300 per hour. This cost is going to vary wildly depending on the type of crime, your area in Georgia, and the experience of the law firm. Younger attorneys and firms will charge less for their services, but you may find the service you get inadequate.

Be sure to shop around for an attorney before committing to one. The government will also appoint one to you in a criminal trial if you cannot afford a lawyer.

What Is a Federal Defense Lawyer?

A federal defense lawyer handles cases that go to the federal level. These cases generally deal with drug or human trafficking and white-collar crimes. The federal government has unique sentencing guidelines and access to more resources to prosecute cases.

If you are dealing with an accusation of a federal crime, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

How Do You Prepare for a Criminal Trial?

You should begin any preparation for a federal trial by hiring a lawyer. Once you have an attorney you trust on your side, you can begin gathering any evidence that can help the defense. Be as open and honest with your defense counsel as possible, and give them anything they request as quickly as you can.

Having the appropriate evidence may help you explain your side of the story to a judge or jury.

How Do You Get a Judge to Rule in Your Favor?

There are typically two main factors that sway a judge to one side. You can use physical evidence or witness testimony to showcase your innocence to a judge. Before a trial begins, gather any evidence you can that may exonerate you of wrongdoing and talk to witnesses who can corroborate your side of the story.

Ultimately, having the right attorney who can present your case well may be the difference between a guilty and not guilty verdict.

Lawrence J. Zimmerman: Atlanta Federal Criminal Defense You Can Count On

Call Lawrence Zimmerman to learn more about federal criminal defense options and what to expect from a hostile federal prosecution team. A successful criminal defense against any type of federal charges requires a skilled and aggressive federal criminal attorney with years of experience in representing clients charged with federal crimes. Lawrence Zimmerman has a solid track record of success as a federal criminal attorney.

After your FREE CONSULTATION you will find Lawrence Zimmerman to be a highly qualified federal criminal attorney.