The quaint city of Lake Mary is in Seminole County, just north of Orlando and off the new I-4. When you are accused of a crime in this area, you should seek legal aid for representation. Whether accused of drug trafficking, internet-based crimes, or tax fraud, you are innocent until proven guilty.
The Umansky Law Firm is available to represent you whether you need a criminal defense attorney on a state or federal level. Contact our Lake Mary federal crime lawyers and we will review your case to help you develop a solid defense.
The United States Constitution’s 6th Amendment gives everyone the right to have a lawyer present to defend their rights and ensure they are treated fairly by the legal system. This does not change because a person is facing federal charges.
In fact, it is even more important for someone facing federal charges since it often means that the investigation process has been happening for months or years prior to an arrest. An arrest will only occur once the FBI’s Special Agents have enough evidence, including but not limited to:
Special groups may gather evidence before an arrest. For instance, if someone is accused of terrorism, the FBI will gather the needed evidence long before the charged person realizes an investigation is underway.
Federal crimes are often the most difficult because charges are not brought against someone until a case has been thoroughly investigated. The arrest process occurs faster in state trials because there is less preliminary evidence to gather.
This is most notable in the statute of limitations for some crimes. For instance, effective March 24, 2023, the Florida Senate amended a bill that lowered the statute of limitations regarding general negligence cases from four to two years. The bill, Chapter 2023-15, L.O.F. protects servicemembers on active duty and affects their ability to appear, but means victims may have less time to come forward seeking restitution if they feel someone’s negligence harmed them.
Federal crimes may also carry harsher penalties than other, similar crimes. This is because judges have less leeway in federal court proceedings. A Lake Mary lawyer assist clients in pushing for lower penalties in federal crime cases.
Despite the thorough investigation beforehand, there are several steps to determining guilt or innocence. If someone has already been arrested for a crime, they must complete an initial appearance within 72 hours. During this appearance, defendants will be informed of their charges and rights to legal counsel. Depending on the charges, the defendant may be held in custody or released on bond.
If no arrest warrant or indictment has been issued, the arresting agent will bring the suspect before the judge to assess probable cause. The suspect may then be held in jail or released until arraignment.
During arraignment, the defendant is formally told of the charges against them and provided with a copy of the charges. The defendant will also enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Defendants in Lake Mary need a skilled federal crimes attorney during the motions part of pretrial proceedings. During this time, a defense team can seek to:
The next step is the trial phase, where all evidence for or against the defendant is presented. This is normally done before a jury in federal cases but can happen with only the presiding judge in the courtroom.
If the defendant is found guilty, the final step is the sentencing stage. This may include victim impact statements and a statement from the defendant. Once everyone has said what they feel is necessary, sentencing will occur. Afterward, the defendant may appeal their conviction or sentence.
Federal charges are not something to be taken lightly. Doing so may mean that sentencing will be much harsher than the crime deserves. The only way to protect your rights is to have a knowledgeable attorney looking out for your best interests as you go through the process.
If you are in trouble on a federal level or know someone facing federal charges, a Lake Mary federal criminal lawyer is here to assist as needed. We bring years of experience in all types of criminal defense at the state and federal levels, and we will aggressively work to help you. Contact us today for an initial consultation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
