Tampa Federal Crime Lawyer
Defense against federal crimes must be handled by an attorney who has experience practicing in federal court. Federal law differs from Florida state law in many ways, even though there is a large overlap in the types of offenses with which defendants are charged. If you have been arrested or charged with a federal crime, or are being investigated by a federal law enforcement agency such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FB), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), you need to get in contact with a Tampa federal crime attorney right away. The Matassini Law Firm, P.A. has the resources to see your case through to trial, and our lawyers have the requisite experience to successfully defend against even the greatest federal offenses.
Why Am I Being Charged in Federal Court Instead of State?
It is a federal offense to commit murder, or to traffic drugs, or to produce child pornography. It is also a state crime to carry out any of those offenses, so how do prosecutors decide to charge a defendant in federal court rather than in state court? The answer is that federal offenses always overrule state offenses, and if any of the following is suspected, the case will be tried in federal court instead of state court:
- The offense took place on federal property
- The offense involved defendants from more than one state
- The offense took place in more than one state
- The offense involved mail, or wire (including internet) fraud that crossed state lines
Examples of Federal Crimes Our Attorneys Handle
- Arson
- Bank fraud
- Bribery
- Child pornography
- Counterfeiting
- Criminal conspiracy
- Drug possession/intent to distribute
- Drug trafficking
- Embezzlement
- False claims act offenses
- Felon possession of a firearm
- Homicide federal official
- Identity theft
- Immigration fraud
- Import/export offenses
- Kidnapping
- Mail fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid fraud
- Money laundering
- Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations offenses
- Securities fraud
- Tax fraud
- Treason
- Wire fraud
The Penalties For Federal Offenses are Often More Severe
Federal offenses almost always carry lengthier prison sentences than state crimes. There are longer mandatory minimum sentencing requirements for federal crimes, and offenders usually serve a greater percentage of their incarceration term. In fact, the average federal inmate serves 85 percent of their sentence. For many state crimes, inmates serve about half of their sentence. Federal prosecutors are also better funded, more experienced, and have significantly more resources than state prosecutors. This all means that you, as the defendant, need to come prepared with an extraordinary defense strategy if you stand any chance at beating the 95 percent conviction rate odds that federal prosecutors have.
Call a Tampa Federal Crime Lawyer Today
It may sound like an unwinnable battle, but it is merely an uphill battle—challenging, but winnable. The Tampa federal crime lawyers at the Matassini Law Firm, P.A. have the ability to win your case and have the charges dismissed. Barring dismissal, we are confident in our capacity to have the charges or penalties significantly reduced. Call us today at 813-217-5715 to schedule a free consultation.
