St. Louis Federal Defense Lawyer

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Arrest and Bench Warrants in Missouri

A federal crime is a criminal act that is illegal according to federal law and prosecuted in federal court. When you are under investigation or accused of a federal crime, you need to hire a criminal defense attorney who understands federal procedures and laws.

Most federal crimes involve drug charges, white-collar crimes, and violent crimes. The federal government sets up several agencies to investigate and prosecute individuals who commit these crimes in federal court. The primary federal agencies that investigate these crimes include: Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Our federal defense attorneys in St. Louis handle the following crimes:

When charged with a federal crime, you not only face incarceration and hefty fines, but you also may have your assets seized and also freeze your bank accounts.

In addition, the federal government requires to give notice before taking any property. Therefore, you need to contact a federal defense lawyer in St. Louis to respond to the government notice to save your property and personal assets from the U.S. government.

Can Federal Charges Be Dropped?

It is challenging to have your federal charges dropped by the government. Generally, these cases will need to go to trial once you face federal charges. In addition, the potential penalties for federal crimes are usually more severe than any similar charge on a level of state charges.

The St. Louis federal defense attorneys at Miller & Hine aggressively defend clients charged with all types of federal crimes by providing the best possible defense. Your freedom and future are at stake. Call us today for a free consultation.

Federal Crimes vs. State Crimes

A federal crime is generally investigated by a federal government agency, like the FBI, DEA, or ATF. On the other hand, state crimes are investigated by municipal or state police.

State crimes are violations of state laws. Every state has its own criminal laws, and sometimes, a particular criminal act violates both federal and state laws.

If you have been charged with a federal crime, the case will be sent to a federal court for prosecution. If you are accused of a crime that violates both state and federal laws, the case may be prosecuted at either the state or national level, or both.

A federal crime is tried in a federal court, and sentences are handed down following federal guidelines, whereas a state crime is tried in a state court under state guidelines.

Punishment for a federal crime can be much more severe than for a state crime, e.g., incarceration in federal prison, longer sentences, steeper fines, and being further away from your family and friends.

Why Get an Experienced St. Louis Federal Defense Lawyer Involved ASAP

Federal criminal cases proceed very differently than state cases. Most often, you will learn that you are under investigation for a federal crime long before charges are filed against you. This offers your defense attorney a unique opportunity to work with federal prosecutors to positively influence the possible outcome of your case by, for example, negotiating a complete dismissal of the charges.

This is one of the reasons why it is very important to get an experienced attorney involved as soon as you become aware that you are under investigation for a federal crime. Wait too long to get an attorney involved, and you will limit how much an attorney can help you.

What to Do if You are Under Investigation for a Federal Crime

If you are under investigation for a federal crime, remember that if federal agents come knocking on your door, you don’t have to talk to them. You have a right to ask for your lawyer and to talk with your lawyer before you agree to any interview.

These agents are there to collect information that can later be used against you. They are trained and have ways of trying to get you to talk when you don’t want to talk.

But remember, you have rights, and you do not have to consent to an interview or any search just because federal agents have come to your door. You are not going to convince them to go away because you are such a persuasive person.

If federal agents show up, politely decline to talk. Then, as soon as possible, consult with a defense attorney who has experience in federal crimes. The right attorney will be able to evaluate your case and advise you on how best to deal with the investigation.

At Miller & Hine, we have been representing clients facing federal charges for decades and we understand the complexity of handling these types of cases. Call us today for a free consultation. We will work aggressively to defend your freedom and your future.