Decatur, Illinois Federal Offenses Lawyer
Although most criminal cases are prosecuted at the state level, there are a wide variety of federal crimes that an Illinois resident may be charged with. The federal judicial system is completely separate from the state courts and follows its own rules and procedures. So if you find yourself facing federal prosecution, you need legal advice from a Decatur, Illinois federal offenses lawyer who understands the feds and how they operate.
At Patel Law, PC, attorney Baku N. Patel has tried over 100 criminal cases in federal court to a jury verdict. But even in cases that never get to a jury, he and his team can help you in negotiating with federal prosecutors to obtain a more favorable disposition of your case. Federal criminal charges will not go away on their own, but if you work with an experienced lawyer and mount a proactive defense, the final result can still be better for you and your family.
What Are Federal Crimes?
Federal crimes can be broken down into three broad categories:
- Crimes that occur on federal property or involve personnel employed by the federal government.
- Crimes that involve specific areas of federal jurisdiction, such as immigration.
- Crimes that involve conduct that crosses state lines or where there are multiple defendants or victims located in more than one state.
Some of the more common federal criminal charges that we assist clients with include:
-
Wire Fraud – Essentially any crime that involves sending or receiving money across state lines can be prosecuted as wire or bank fraud.
-
Drug Conspiracy – While simple drug possession is usually prosecuted at the state level, if the feds believe they can prove a person was part of a larger conspiracy to manufacture and distribute drugs across state lines, they can face more severe federal charges as well.
-
Internet Crimes – Any use of the Internet to commit financial fraud or other illegal conduct, such as promoting child pornography, can be prosecuted at the federal level.
-
Money Laundering – Using the proceeds of illegal activities to finance otherwise legal activities can be prosecuted as money laundering.
-
Tax Fraud – Any attempt to willfully avoid a tax obligation can lead to charges of tax fraud.
One thing to keep in mind is that although the United States Constitution prohibits prosecuting a person for the same offense–i.e., the “Double Jeopardy” clause–it is possible for someone to be charged with separate state and federal crimes for the same underlying conduct. So you should never assume you are in the clear with respect to a potential federal charge simply because you have been acquitted or not prosecuted in Illinois state court.
Contact Attorney Baku N. Patel Today
Federal criminal prosecutions often carry substantially more severe penalties than their state-level counterparts. That is just one reason you need to work with a skilled Decatur, Illinois federal offenses lawyer if you are facing charges or even under investigation by a law enforcement agency like the FBI or DEA. Contact Patel Law, PC, today to schedule a free case evaluation with attorney Baku N. Patel and his criminal defense team.
