The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) usually oversees crimes that break laws enacted by Congress, but any crime that interferes with the government’s interests can be prosecuted by a U.S. Attorney. These crimes include drug trafficking spanning several states and countries, creating and disseminating child pornography through the U.S. mail or over the internet, and fraudulently billing Medicare or Medicaid, causing the government to lose money in reimbursements.
You can also be presented with federal citations for committing crimes or infractions on federal property, such as starting a fire in the Ocala National Forest, creating a civil disturbance at the post office, or fishing for bass out of season. Citations can be issued by numerous federal agents representing agencies such as the National Park Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Postal Service, Forest Service and military base police.
You can see that the range of crimes is comprehensive, and although it may make sense to pay a citation for illegal parking on a military base, when the charges can lead to incarceration and steep fines, contact a Lake County federal crime lawyer. The Umansky Law Firm has criminal defense attorneys that can represent you in almost any situation.
You can be charged with a vast number of federal crimes, but the one that tops the list and involves the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is the manufacture, distribution, importation, and exportation of controlled substances coupled with conspiracy to commit drug crimes. The United States Sentencing Commission reports that 32 percent of federal crimes are drug related. The federal government, like the states, assigns severity levels to different drugs, depending on whether they have any approved medical use and how addictive they are.
When determining a sentence, past criminal activity and whether anyone is killed because of the crime are considered. Other common federal crimes include:
These crimes have critical repercussions, and the federal government has unlimited funds to prosecute those they target. If you receive a target letter, a citation, or suspect the government is investigating you for a federal crime, contact an experienced federal defense lawyer in Lake County, FL as soon as possible.
Although the vast number of federal crimes do not go to trial, 97 percent of them are resolved by negotiated plea deals, your defense attorney should be skilled at federal trial tactics and negotiating favorably with federal prosecutors.
According to 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(1) and 960(b), those convicted of drug crimes in which a specific drug weight is involved, will spend mandatory minimums in federal prison. For example, if federal agents find 400 grams of fentanyl, 50 grams of methamphetamine, or one kilogram of heroin in your possession, a conviction will result in a mandatory minimum of 10 years in federal prison.
If a U.S. citizen is murdered outside the U.S., the person convicted of it can face up to life in prison or the death penalty.
Another common federal crime involves defrauding the government. Under 18 U.S. Code § 1031, if a contractor or subcontractor or anyone billing the government or receiving federal assistance of more than $1 million, can be fined $1 million, spend up to 10 years in prison, or both if their actions are fraudulent. The gravity of these charges demands that you contact a Lake County federal crime attorney to mitigate the penalties.
A U.S. attorney may send you a target letter to let you know you are being investigated, but they might prefer not to. You may also be issued a federal citation for committing a crime on government soil. When you first suspect trouble, it means federal law enforcement is already building a case against you and you must act immediately.
When you choose a defense team to navigate the federal justice system, it should be one with experience in federal court because the procedure differs from state court. Our team is skilled in defending those accused of federal crimes, and we welcome you to consult with us about your case. Call a Lake County federal crime lawyer now so we can build a defense favorable to you.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
