Are you facing federal criminal charges in Waldorf, Maryland? Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys can help when you call (301) 857-4771. We offer a free consultation with a Waldorf federal crimes lawyer who is ready to protect your rights and guide you through this difficult process.
Federal charges carry life-changing penalties, and dealing with investigators or prosecutors on your own can put your future at risk. An experienced criminal defense attorney can review your case, build a strong defense, and fight to secure the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Why Hire Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys if You’re Arrested for Federal Crimes?
When you’re facing federal charges in Waldorf, MD, you need more than just any criminal defense lawyer. You need someone who has handled these complex cases before, and a team that isn’t afraid to take on federal prosecutors. You need Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys.
Here’s why so many people trust us with their federal cases:
- With over 125 years of combined legal experience, our law firm has a proven record of guiding clients through complex federal investigations and courtroom proceedings.
- Attorney Andrew Alpert is The Only Board-Certified DUI Defense Attorney in Maryland
- Our defense lawyers have prosecutorial backgrounds, letting us anticipate the prosecution’s strategies and prepare smarter, targeted defenses.
- Experience in both state and federal courts means we know how to handle your case and are familiar with court procedures and the federal court process.
Contact our team today to schedule a free consultation with a Waldorf criminal defense attorney.
Overview of Federal Crimes in Maryland
Federal crimes are offenses that violate laws passed by the United States Congress and are prosecuted by agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, or U.S. Attorney’s Office – not the local district attorney or state police.
Here are some things that make a case federal:
- Jurisdiction: If the alleged crime took place on federal land (such as a national park or military base), involved crossing state lines, or crossed national borders, it often falls to federal authorities.
- Breaking federal statutes: When federal drug, weapons, immigration, fraud, conspiracy, or tax laws are broken, federal prosecutors take over.
- Victims/protection: If crimes target federal programs, agencies, employees, or protected classes of the population, prosecutors may pursue charges at the federal level.
- Multi-state or nationwide activity: Organized crime, internet crimes, some white-collar offenses, and larger criminal conspiracies are often handled federally, especially if multiple states, countries, or federal watchdog groups are involved.
What sets a federal crime apart from a state crime isn’t just its seriousness, but who’s in charge of investigating and prosecuting the case, where it happened, and the type of conduct involved.
Common Types of Federal Crimes
Some examples of specific federal crimes include:
- Mail or wire fraud
- Large-scale drug trafficking or manufacturing
- Weapons theft, selling, or firearm trafficking across state lines
- Immigration violations (smuggling, false documentation)
- Bank fraud or robbery at federally insured banks
- Computer/email hacking or ID theft across states or borders
- Terrorism, plots, or threats against federal targets or interests
If you’re facing any of these charges, it’s important to get help right away.
Unique Features of Federal Crimes and the Federal System
While both state courts and federal courts deal with similar crimes, there are some unique aspects of federal courts that you should be aware of.
- Federal courts: Charges are tried in U.S. District Courts, with procedures and guidelines much different from local courts.
- Tougher Sentences: Federal convictions typically mean strict sentencing guidelines and mandatory minimums, even for first-time offenders.
- Advanced Investigators: Federal agencies have massive resources and skills, so the evidence may be stronger or more complicated than in a typical state case.
Anyone under federal investigation or recently arrested on federal charges needs legal help very quickly as the consequences are severe and the process of federal court can be more complicated than state court.
What Are the Penalties for Federal Crimes in Waldorf, Maryland?
When you’re charged with a federal crime in Waldorf, Maryland, the penalties can dramatically outweigh what you’d face in State court, and frequently carry life-changing collateral consequences well after the case ends. They often depend on your criminal history as well. You could be facing the following:
- Prison sentences and fines: Federal crimes almost always involve the potential for longer prison terms and much larger fines than state offenses. Sentences routinely reach several years, and for major fraud, drug trafficking, or weapons violations, decades or even life are possible. Many federal charges also include mandatory minimum sentences, meaning a judge may have very little room for leniency.
- Probation and supervised release: Some defendants qualify for probation or supervised release after serving their prison time. However, federal supervision is extremely strict, lasting up to five years or longer for some offenses. Any violation of your conditions can quickly trigger further imprisonment.
- Federal restitution orders: In cases involving theft or fraud, federal judges commonly order you to pay back the victims, a requirement that may follow you for years, adding significant stress to the loss of your freedom.
- Criminal/civil forfeiture: Criminal or civil forfeiture allows the government to take money, vehicles, homes, or electronics that were involved in or gained from the alleged offense. If you’re convicted of a federal crime, you could lose not only your freedom but also property that authorities believe is tied to the illegal activity.
Sometimes, assets are seized before there’s ever a trial or conviction, making legal support crucial from the outset.
No matter what you’re charged with, the federal penalties can be very severe and change many aspects of your life.
Collateral Consequences of a Federal Conviction
In addition to the penalties the court imposes, you may face other restrictions and consequences:
- Permanent criminal record: A federal offense cannot be expunged and will follow you for life.
- Loss of professional licenses: Federal convictions can block you from working in licensed careers like law, healthcare, real estate, or banking.
- Immigration barriers: Non-citizens risking deportation, denial of green cards, or an inability to become a citizen, even with just one conviction.
- Firearm ban: Convicted felons permanently lose the federal right to own or possess firearms.
- Limits on government benefits: Certain convictions trigger ineligibility for student loans, government subsidies, grants, and housing aid.
- Loss of civil rights: Jury service and voting rights may be lost, depending on the circumstances and subsequent state restoration laws.
The far-reaching effect of federal penalties makes it essential to get legal help as soon as possible.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Arrested for Federal Crimes?
If you’re facing federal criminal charges in Waldorf, legal defenses are crucial to protect your rights and future. Available defenses will depend on the specific crime, the evidence federal agents have compiled, and how law enforcement carried out the investigation and arrest.
Some common defenses include:
- Lack of intent or knowledge: Federal crimes such as fraud, conspiracy, or drug distribution often require prosecutors to prove you knowingly committed the offense. If you were unaware of what was actually happening, such as unknowingly transporting illegal substances, or lacked the intent to break federal law, this can be a legitimate defense.
- Illegal search, seizure, or arrest: Federal cases frequently rely on extensive digital forensics and surveillance. If agents violated your constitutional rights, for example, searching your property, phone, or computer without a valid warrant or probable cause, your lawyer can seek to suppress the resulting evidence, which could destroy or weaken the case against you.
- Entrapment: If undercover agents or informants induced you to commit a crime you otherwise were not planning to and would not have participated in, you can use entrapment as a defense. This could be used for charges like wire fraud, drug sale conspiracies, or internet-related criminal stings.
- Mistaken identity: Federal charges based on surveillance or wide-reaching investigations sometimes sweep up innocent people by mistake. If you can show that you weren’t part of the crime or you were somewhere else when the offense occurred, this could result in an acquittal or having the charges dropped.
- Self-defense: In certain federal criminal cases, like those involving assaults, firearm offenses, or allegations of violence, self-defense can be an effective legal argument. If you can show that you only used force because you genuinely believed you or someone else was facing an immediate threat of harm, and that your response was reasonable and proportionate to that threat, it could lead to an acquittal.
No single approach fits all federal criminal allegations, so it’s critical to speak with a lawyer right away so they can evaluate the evidence and determine the best defense for your case.
Facing federal charges in Waldorf, Maryland, can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to go through it alone. With Alpert Schreyer Criminal Defense Attorneys standing between you and the prosecutor, you can take the right steps to fight back and defend yourself.
Getting started on your defense as soon as an investigation starts is essential, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a Waldorf federal crimes lawyer.
