Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

The federal criminal justice system operates quite differently from the Nevada state courts. If you are charged with a federal crime, don’t even consider representing yourself – you’ll need a good criminal lawyer with federal court experience. The procedures in federal cases are more complex, the charges are usually more complicated, and the penalties – if you are convicted of a federal crime – can be much harsher. If you are charged with a crime by federal law enforcement authorities in Nevada, speak at once with an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal defense attorney at the Fletcher Firm. Our criminal defense attorneys are skilled and experienced at fighting on behalf of our clients in federal court. If a trial can be avoided, that’s usually the option our criminal law attorneys recommend. Nevertheless, when you are represented by the defense attorneys at the Fletcher Firm, we will be ready to take your case to trial and to fight aggressively for a verdict of “not guilty.”

Federal Crime Penalties

There is no federal prison in the state of Nevada. This means that if you are convicted of a federal crime that is punishable with a prison sentence, you will not be imprisoned within the state of Nevada.

There are federal sentencing guidelines that outline the penalties for various crimes. However, if you are charged with any federal crime, it’s important for you to know that federal judges are not bound by these federal sentencing guidelines. Instead of sticking to the guidelines, federal judges can impose a combination of penalties including prison sentences, community service, probation, fines and restitution.

Many defendants consider taking a plea bargain in their federal case, however it is important to know that accepting a plea deal may mean that you give up your right to appeal the conviction. Don’t ever accept a plea deal or face your federal charges without the help and guidance of an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal defense lawyer.

How We Can Help

If you learn that you are being investigated by federal law enforcement authorities, contact a federal criminal defense attorney at once. The right defense lawyer may be able, in some cases, to “get ahead” of the case and to keep you from being indicted or to have the charges reduced. Federal felonies and misdemeanors commonly prosecuted in Nevada include federal bribery and fraud charges, firearms and drug crimes, crimes of violence, sex crimes, kidnapping, carjacking, RICO Act violations, and a wide range of other federal criminal violations. Even if you are convicted of a federal crime, an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal attorney can work to persuade the judge to impose a reduced or alternative penalty.

Federal Crime Defenses

Once you begin working with an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal defense attorney, the details of your case will be thoroughly reviewed and a sound defense strategy will be developed. The defense strategy that is chosen will depend heavily on the details of your case, however there are a number of common defense strategies used in federal courts.

A Las Vegas federal criminal defense attorney may be able to argue that there was misconduct in the investigation of the crime. In order to charge someone with a federal crime, agencies typically go through lengthy investigations. An attorney may be able to prove that the authorities did not follow the rules that govern conducting an investigation. For example, if the evidence against you was improperly seized, it is not admissible in court and must be thrown out.

If the authorities did not read your Miranda rights, an attorney may be able to have statements you made during your arrest thrown out of the case.

Federal authorities must be able to prove that a defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, however if they do not have enough evidence to prove this, an attorney may be able to argue that there is insufficient evidence. This is one of the most widely used defense strategies in federal criminal cases and requires the skill of an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal defense attorney.

Depending on the crime that the defendant is charged with, an attorney may be able to argue that the defendant acted in self-defense. If the attorney can prove that the defendant was protecting himself from bodily injury or death, self-defense may be an appropriate defense strategy.

Federal authorities often engage in “sting” operations to get suspects to commit crimes in the presence of an undercover law enforcement agent. However, sometimes these operations go one step too far. A defense attorney may be able to show that you were a victim of entrapment and would not have committed the crime if you had not been convinced to do so by the law enforcement agent.

Perhaps one of the most well-known defense strategies is pleading insanity. However, this defense strategy is not a wise choice for defendants because it is difficult to prove and the result could be time in a mental institution or other hospital.

Trust an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal defense attorney to devise an appropriate strategy for your case. Don’t rely on a public defender and don’t choose to represent yourself when you are facing federal charges. The penalties are too serious for you to put your future in the hands of someone who cannot handle the case.

The Legal Experience You Need

At the Fletcher Firm in Las Vegas, our state and federal criminal defense attorneys bring more than a half-century of combined legal experience to our clients. The goal of our defense lawyers is to get you past the legal rhetoric and red tape and move quickly to the issues at the core of your case. If you are being charged or investigated by federal law enforcement authorities, put your case immediately in the hands of an experienced Las Vegas federal criminal defense attorney at the Fletcher Firm. Call us for an initial consultation today at 702-333-6339 or complete the contact form at the bottom of this webpage. We will reply promptly.