Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale

State vs. Federal Charges

There are a number of key differences between state and federal charges, and understanding these is an important part of being a successful defense lawyer. At the Law Office of Marshall Geisser, we represent clients in both state and federal court. We understand how these systems operate and use our experience to guide our clients toward the best possible result, no matter the particular circumstances of their case. If you are interested in learning more about what a Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney at our firm can do to help you, please call us for a confidential consultation. We are always happy to discuss your charges.

Federal crimes may include those actions that are illegal under federal law, while state crimes include those that are illegal under state law. Some offenses, such as drug crimes, are covered under both state and federal law and therefore may become somewhat of a grey area. Typically, federal crimes include offenses that are committed across multiple states or countries, such as kidnapping from Florida to Georgia or trafficking illegal drugs from Cuba into the U.S. They may also include offenses that are committed against the federal government or on federal property, such as tax fraud, bank robbery or arson.  Serial offenders may also be charged by federal prosecutors because their offenses are committed in multiple states, such as a defendant accused of murder in both Utah and Nevada.

There are also situations where a defendant may find that he or she is facing charges under both state and federal law. This may happen in a drug case, where the defendant has actually violated both state and federal law and is therefore facing prosecution in both courts. This is not considered double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime) because the courts operate independently from one another.

No matter the circumstances of your case and whether you are facing an investigation or formal charges in state or federal court, make sure you act quickly and work with an attorney who can make a difference. Contact a Fort Lauderdale federal crime lawyer at our firm today and find out how we can fight for you.