Federal Criminal Defense Blog

The words “lawyer” and “attorney” are often used to describe the same profession. However, you may also see sources claiming that the terms have separate meanings. There is no universally recognized legal distinction between a lawyer and an attorney in the United States.  Some sources distinguish the terms based on education or bar admiss...

A federal criminal defense attorney helps people accused of violating federal law by explaining their charges, reviewing the evidence, and protecting the person’s rights. You do not have to wait until you are charged to call a lawyer. If federal agents are asking questions about you or your actions, getting legal help early may be […]...

False accusations can be frightening under any circumstances, but the stakes are especially high when federal authorities are involved. Federal investigations often involve extensive resources, experienced prosecutors, and evidence gathered over months or even years. An accusation may threaten your freedom, career, reputation, and personal relationshi...

Los Angeles covers a huge geographic area, and the experience of living in one neighborhood can feel completely different from living just a few miles away. Crime patterns in California also vary widely by community. Neighborhoods in Los Angeles, such as Bel-Air and Brentwood, have historically reported lower crime rates than busier districts such as ...

Key Takeaways What is the difference between a federal and state felony? Federal felonies involve violations of federal law prosecuted in federal courts, while state felonies involve violations of state law prosecuted in state courts. Federal cases often involve interstate activity, federal property, national borders, or federal agencies, while most s...

Key Takeaways A felony is not always a federal crime because many felony charges are prosecuted under state laws in state courts. In contrast, federal crimes involve violations of federal law, federal property, or conduct crossing state lines or national borders. Federal felonies often carry harsher penalties, strict federal sentencing guidelines, and...

Key Takeaways What happens during a federal investigation usually depends on the type of alleged federal crime, the federal agencies involved, and the amount of evidence federal authorities believe they have collected. Still, most federal criminal investigations involve federal agents gathering records, interviewing witnesses, reviewing electronic com...

Key Takeaways The three stages of money laundering are placement, layering, and integration, and federal prosecutors use these stages to explain how illicit funds may be moved from criminal activity into the legitimate financial system. Money laundering is a serious federal financial crime because the government may claim that dirty money was hidden t...

Key Takeaways If you are wondering what percentage of federal cases go to trial, the answer is very small, because in the federal criminal justice system, most federal criminal cases resolve through plea bargaining instead of a criminal trial, which means only a small number of federal defendants actually go to trial in federal court, […]...

Key Takeaways If you are asking what happens if you lie to federal agents, the answer is serious. Lying to a federal agent can be charged as a federal crime, even if the statement seems small or informal. Federal authorities treat false statements very seriously, and even a simple answer during an investigation can lead […]...