Titusville Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Serving the Space Coast with Over 85 Years of Combined Experience

When you are facing federal charges, the stakes are extremely high. Federal criminal cases are typically more severe than state cases and can result in severe penalties, including years or decades behind bars, millions of dollars in fines, and other life-altering consequences. That is why you need to do everything you can to protect your rights and future by retaining a qualified federal crime defense attorney in Titusville.

At Ali & Blankner, we have been serving the Space Coast for over 85 years. We understand the complexities of federal criminal cases and are prepared to fight tirelessly for you. Our team is available 24/7, and we offer free initial consultations. We are ready to put our extensive experience and proven track record to work for you.

If you are facing federal charges, do not hesitate to contact our firm at (407) 753-1312 for a free consultation with an experienced Titusville federal crime defense lawyer.

What Are Federal Crimes?

Most crimes are prosecuted at the state level. However, certain offenses are deemed to be federal crimes, meaning they violate United States federal law. Federal crimes are typically more severe than state crimes and carry harsher penalties, including lengthier prison sentences, higher fines, and more.

Some of the most common types of federal crimes include:

• Bank robbery: Robbing a federally insured bank or credit union.
• Identity theft: Stealing someone's personal information for fraudulent purposes.
• Counterfeiting: Producing fake currency or documents.
• Drug trafficking: Illegally distributing controlled substances across state or national borders.
• Terrorist crimes: Acts of terrorism against the United States or its citizens.
• Mail fraud: Using the postal system to commit fraudulent activities.
• Wire fraud: Using electronic communication to commit fraudulent activities.
• Computer crimes: Crimes involving hacking, malware, or other computer-related offenses.
• Internet crimes: Fraudulent activities conducted online, such as phishing or cyberstalking.
• Child pornography: Producing, distributing, or possessing illegal images or videos of minors.
• Human trafficking: Illegal transportation or exploitation of individuals for forced labor or sex work.
• Immigration offenses: Violations of federal immigration laws, such as illegal entry or visa fraud.
• Firearm offenses: Illegally possessing, selling, or trafficking firearms.
• Public corruption: Bribery, extortion, or other forms of corruption by public officials.
• Money laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.
• Organized crime: Participation in criminal organizations engaged in illegal activities.
• RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act): Prosecution of organized crime syndicates.
• Securities fraud: Deceptive practices in the stock market or securities industry.
• Tax evasion: Illegally avoiding paying taxes owed to the government.
• Violent crimes: Acts of violence such as assault, kidnapping, or murder that violate federal law.
• White-collar crimes: Non-violent crimes committed for financial gain, typically by business professionals or government officials.

While many crimes can be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels, certain offenses are exclusively federal crimes, meaning they cannot be tried at the state level. Additionally, certain crimes that are usually state crimes can become federal offenses when they cross state lines or involve federal property, agencies, or interests. This is known as the “jurisdictional hook.”

What Happens When You Are Charged with a Federal Crime?

If you are suspected of committing a federal crime, the government will spend months, if not years, building a case against you. Federal investigations are incredibly thorough and often involve multiple agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and ATF. The government will typically use extensive resources and manpower to investigate you and gather evidence to use against you in court.

Once the government believes it has enough evidence to proceed, it will usually present its case to a grand jury. The grand jury will review the evidence and determine if there is enough probable cause to charge you with a federal crime. Unlike a trial jury, a grand jury is not tasked with determining guilt or innocence. Instead, it is only responsible for determining if there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial.

If the grand jury returns an indictment, you will be arrested and charged with a federal crime. You will then be required to appear before a federal magistrate judge, who will inform you of your rights and the charges against you. The judge will also determine if you should be released on bail or if you should be held in custody until your trial.

What is the Federal Criminal Process?

After you have been arrested and charged with a federal crime, the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. The process is similar to that of a state criminal case but can be more complex and time-consuming.

The federal criminal process typically involves the following steps:

• Initial appearance: This is your first court appearance after you have been arrested and charged with a federal crime. You will be informed of the charges against you and your rights, and the judge will determine if you should be released on bail.
• Preliminary hearing: This is a hearing that takes place after your arrest and initial appearance. During the preliminary hearing, the judge will determine if there is enough probable cause to proceed with the case. If the judge determines that there is enough evidence, the case will proceed to the grand jury. If the judge determines that there is not enough evidence, the charges will be dropped.
• Grand jury: If the judge determines that there is enough probable cause, the case will proceed to the grand jury. The grand jury will review the evidence and determine if there is enough evidence to proceed with a criminal trial. If the grand jury returns an indictment, you will be charged with a federal crime and arraigned.
• Arraignment: This is the formal reading of the charges against you. You will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. In many cases, your federal crime defense attorney in Titusville will enter a not guilty plea on your behalf. If you are charged with a capital offense, you will also be informed of your right to a court-appointed attorney.
• Pre-trial motions: After the arraignment, your attorney and the federal prosecutor will file pre-trial motions. These can include motions to suppress evidence, motions to dismiss, and more. The judge will review the motions and make a ruling. If evidence is suppressed or the case is dismissed, the charges against you may be dropped. If the judge denies the motions, the case will proceed to trial.
• Trial: The trial is the most important part of the federal criminal process. During the trial, the prosecution and defense will present their case to the jury. The jury will then deliberate and determine if you are guilty or not guilty. If the jury returns a guilty verdict, the judge will sentence you.
• Sentencing: If you are found guilty of a federal crime, the judge will sentence you. Federal sentencing guidelines are used to determine the appropriate sentence. The guidelines are based on the severity of the crime and your criminal history and are used to determine the appropriate sentence. In some cases, the judge may be required to impose a mandatory minimum sentence.
• Appeal: If you are found guilty of a federal crime and believe that the court made an error that affected the outcome of the case, you can file an appeal. The appellate court will review the record and determine if an error occurred. If an error is found, the court will either order a new trial or vacate the conviction. If no error is found, the court will affirm the conviction.

How Are Federal Crimes Punished?

As previously mentioned, federal crimes are typically more severe than state crimes and carry harsher penalties. In many cases, a federal conviction will result in a mandatory minimum sentence, meaning the judge will be required to impose a certain sentence.

Some of the factors that can affect your sentence include:

• The nature and severity of the crime
• Your criminal history
• The presence of any aggravating or mitigating factors
• The quality of your defense

Federal sentencing guidelines are used to determine the appropriate sentence. The guidelines are based on the severity of the crime and your criminal history and are used to determine the appropriate sentence. In some cases, the judge may be required to impose a mandatory minimum sentence.

In addition to lengthy prison sentences, federal convictions can also result in other life-altering consequences. You may be required to pay significant fines, which can total millions of dollars. You may also be required to pay restitution to the victims of your crime.

Why You Need a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Titusville

When you are facing federal charges, you need an attorney who is well-versed in federal law and the federal criminal process. Our Titusville federal crime defense attorney has an in-depth understanding of the complexities of federal cases and can help you navigate the process from start to finish. We can guide you through each step of the federal criminal process and help you make well-informed decisions about your case.

Our firm will immediately begin investigating your case and gathering evidence to challenge the government’s evidence. We can interview witnesses, review police reports, consult with experts, and more. We will also work to have any illegally obtained evidence suppressed. If the government violated your rights or made any mistakes during the investigation, we will fight to have the charges against you reduced or dropped.

Our team can also negotiate with the federal prosecutor to have the charges against you reduced or dismissed. In many cases, we can negotiate a plea bargain that allows you to plead guilty to lesser charges. This can reduce the penalties you face and help you avoid a lengthy prison sentence. If the prosecutor is unwilling to offer a fair plea bargain, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial. Our firm has extensive trial experience and is not afraid to take on the federal government.

Our firm is committed to providing you with the personalized legal representation you need and deserve. We will take the time to get to know you and your situation and develop a customized legal strategy that is tailored to your unique goals and needs. We will work tirelessly to protect your rights and fight for a favorable outcome in your case.

Call our firm at (407) 753-1312 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation with a skilled federal crime defense attorney in Titusville.