Practice Area
California Federal Defense Attorneys
What You Need to Know About Federal Criminal Charges
Our legal system has two levels: state law and federal law. While local jurisdictions (which are usually the first to handle state criminal matters) work with the state of California and will charge you under state law, the federal legal system is a distinct system with different courts, prosecutors and rules. If you’re facing federal charges, you should be sure to hire an attorney who’s well versed in federal law and court procedures. Even a skilled attorney experienced in California law may not be able to do the best job in a federal court. Fortunately, Wallin & Klarich has attorneys with decades of experience representing clients in federal court. Our federal criminal defense attorneys are very familiar with the federal district courts in their areas, which can be a great help in a case.
Federal criminal charges can be similar to state charges, but are generally rarer and more serious. Most people are familiar with the state courts, which handle traffic tickets, divorces and wills as well as crimes that are a violation of state law. By contrast, federal courts handle violations of federal criminal law, which includes laws against organized crime, international drug trafficking, tax violations, immigration violations and more. Most crimes are state crimes; in order for a crime to be charged federally, it must involve a violation of the Constitution or federal statutes, and will therefore often be a more serious crime.
The penalties for federal crimes aren’t always harsh, but they can be harsher than the sentence you might receive for the same crime in state court, especially if drugs are involved. And if you are convicted on a federal charge, you will go to federal prison, which means you may be sent much farther away from home to serve your sentence. With more than 30 years of experience, The Federal Defense Attorneys at Wallin & Klarich can step in and help reduce your charges, defend you in court, and, if applicable, try to move your case to the state courts. If you’re facing federal criminal charges, call us today for a free evaluation of your case.
At Wallin & Klarich, we approach every case with the belief that the person we’re defending could easily be one of our own family members. We’ve seen firsthand how stressful legal matters can be for our clients and their loved ones. We are committed to being available to our clients at all times — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If you or someone you love is facing federal charges in Southern California, you should call Wallin & Klarich today for a free evaluation of your case. Call 1-888-749-0034 or fill out our online consultation form to get in contact with a legal professional today.
