Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney for Federal Charges
Being charged with any criminal offense is a stressful and scary experience. Being charged with a federal crime can seem like even more of an insurmountable challenge. Whether your charges are at the state or federal level, your rights must be protected from government overreach and overzealous prosecutors. Our skilled legal team is here to help you through the federal criminal justice process.
Our attorneys at Rice, Murtha & Psoras have the knowledge and experience necessary to defend your rights and fight your charges in federal court. The federal justice system may seem intimidating and the odds may feel as though they are stacked against you, but we are here to fight for your best interests. Call (410) 431-0911 to schedule a free legal consultation today with our Maryland criminal defense attorney for federal charges.
The Difference Between Federal and State Charges in Maryland
In the United States, each individual state has its own legal system and its own courts. There is also a legal system at the federal level that affects everyone regardless of the state they call home. Federal crimes are violations of federal laws rather than state laws. A federal crime will be tried in a federal court by a federal judge. Even the prosecutors of federal crimes are different than prosecutors of state crimes. Each state has several federal district courts in which federal crimes are tried. The court your federal charges will be heard in will depend on the geographic location of the offense within your state. In Maryland, there is one district court, but three different court locations.
- 101 West Lombard Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, (410) 431-0911
- 6500 Cherrywood Lane, Greenbelt MD 20770, (301) 344-0660
- 129 East Main Street, Rm. 104, Salisbury, MD 21803, (410) 962 2600
Whether or not your charges will be federal or state charges will depend on what law your offense violates. Sometimes, crimes are charged at the federal level because they violate a specific federal statute. For example, someone caught downloading child pornography on the internet violates federal laws that prohibit such actions. Other times, an offense is charged at the federal level because it crossed state lines. For example, kidnapping is ordinarily charged as a state-level offense. If that kidnapping involved moving the victim across state lines, on the other hand, it becomes a federal offense. For help understanding the difference between your federal and state charges, contact our Maryland criminal defense lawyer for federal charges.
Federal Criminal Trial Process in Maryland
The federal criminal trial process is in many ways very similar to the state-level criminal trial process. Typically, there is first an investigation followed by formal charging and pretrial hearings like an arraignment, initial appearance, or a preliminary hearing. There will be a discovery process in which each side discloses information to the other. Finally, there will be a trial and, if there is a conviction, the sentencing phase will begin. After sentencing, a defendant may begin the appeals process.
There are some key differences between these two systems, however. For example, the way the federal system classifies offenses into felonies or misdemeanors is not the same as the system used by Maryland courts. To fully understand these differences, please speak with our Maryland criminal defense attorney for federal charges.
The most significant difference between federal and state court proceedings is the kind of cases heard. In state court, almost any type of case can be heard. State courts will deal with most criminal issues. The majority of crimes can be heard in state courts. This includes crimes like robbery, theft, murder, and many other offenses. A federal court has jurisdiction over crimes that touch upon federal law and specific areas reserved for federal courts, like bankruptcy, tax crimes, and admiralty law. If a crime raises a federal issue or is otherwise totally reserved for federal jurisdiction, it will start in a federal district court.
Penalties for Federal Charges in Maryland
The penalties for federal offenses are often harsher than the penalties for similar state-level offenses. For this reason, it is crucial that you seek the assistance of an experienced attorney who understands the federal criminal justice process. Our Maryland criminal defense lawyer for federal charges can help you fight your charges and defend your rights in federal court.
As with state-level offenses, federal felonies are punished more harshly than federal misdemeanors. At the federal level, a class A felony may be punished with life imprisonment. A class B federal felony conviction may be penalized with 25 years in prison or longer but less than life. A class C federal felony carries a penalty of fewer than 25 years in prison, but at least 10 years. A class D federal felony may be punished with more than 5 years in prison but less than 10. Finally, a class E federal misdemeanor can be punished with more than 1 year in prison but less than 5 years.
Federal misdemeanors are less serious offenses and will have less harsh penalties. A class A misdemeanor can be punished by at least 6 months in prison but no more than one year. For a class B misdemeanor conviction, a defendant may be sentenced to more than 30 days in prison but not more than 6 months. For a class C misdemeanor, a defendant may be punished with a prison sentence of more than 5 days but not more than 30 days. Lesser charges may be punished by five days or less in prison and may be charged as minor infractions.
Contact Our Maryland Criminal Defense Attorney for Federal Charges for a Free Legal Consultation
Being charged with a federal crime is a scary experience and you should not have to go through it alone. Our experienced team of lawyers is here to help you through every phase of the federal criminal justice process. If you or someone you know has been charged with a federal offense, you should contact our Maryland criminal defense attorney for federal charges as soon as possible. Contact our legal team at Rice, Murtha & Psoras by calling (410) 431-0911 or reaching out to us online. We will help you defend your rights and fight your federal charges.