Johns Creek Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Federal Criminal Defense

Johns Creek Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Any time you are facing criminal charges, you will want to do all you can to protect yourself and fight those charges. However, things can become far more serious and consequential if you are facing federal charges. Criminal charges become federal when jurisdiction switches from state to federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, or ATF. To help your case, you should contact an expert Johns Creek federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can.

The legal team at The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman can provide you with the necessary resources to fight federal charges and defend yourself with a sound strategy. Having a Johns Creek federal criminal defense attorney in your corner can make a significant difference, especially if you don’t know how to proceed on your own. Your lawyer should have knowledge of federal criminal defense laws, as well as experience with federal criminal defense cases.

Hire a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

You should never take any chances when you are facing criminal charges, especially if those charges are federal. The most important choice you can make for your case is to hire a federal criminal defense lawyer to represent your interests. Having the right lawyer in your corner can change things for you. Lawrence J. Zimmerman has spent decades protecting the rights of his clients and defending them in criminal defense situations. He can help your case, too.

It’s important to understand how common federal charges are throughout Georgia and how often they result in a conviction. According to recent data from the United States Sentencing Commission, there were over 1,200 cases reported to the Commission in 2024 alone, with many of them resulting in federal charges and convictions. A 2024 report showed that the most common federal crime reported in the country was immigration offenses at 30% of all cases.

Consider Mental Health Support

Facing criminal charges can be immensely stressful, especially if you have never dealt with anything like this before. It’s okay to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed. You may want to consider reaching out to a local mental health support group like NAMI Georgia or CBT Nightmares. Being able to talk to someone about everything you’re going through can often be helpful to your case overall. Being more focused can improve your chances of legal success.

Key Elements of the Federal Charging Process in Georgia

Unlike state charges, federal crimes in Georgia are charged through the U.S. Attorney’s office. If you are charged, you will undergo a strict process that could result in a criminal conviction or an acquittal, depending on the strength of your case and the prosecution’s case. Federal sentencing guidelines are often much more complex than state sentencing guidelines, which is why you should hire a lawyer to help you through them. Here are some key elements of the charging process:

• It begins with an investigation: It can take federal agencies a great deal of time to build a case against you. During this time, they will largely focus on violations of federal statutes. Evidence may include interviews with you and other persons of interest, as well as anything gathered through continued surveillance.
• After gathering their evidence: The federal agency pursuing charges will present their evidence before a grand jury. The grand jury will consider the evidence and determine if it is strong enough to justify formal charges. If they decide to charge, they will issue an indictment.
• Once an indictment has been issued: You will be arrested by U.S. Marshals and appear before a federal judge to hear charges and enter a plea. Once you are arrested, your first move should be to contact a lawyer and start building a defense.
• Your lawyer will file the necessary motions: If no plea deal is offered, the case will go to federal criminal trial. The prosecution will bear the burden of proof, and your lawyer will focus on devising a defense strategy.

FAQs

What Are Federal Criminal Laws in Johns Creek, GA?

In Johns Creek, GA, federal criminal laws are laws that have been passed by Congress that define offenses against the federal government or offenses that cross state lines. These offenses are considered especially serious and can often result in significant legal penalties that include prison time and substantial fines. Common federal crimes include drug trafficking, white collar fraud, terrorism, cybercrime, immigration offenses, certain kidnapping crimes and other violent crimes.

What Makes a Criminal Case Become Federal?

There are many things that can make a criminal case become federal. Generally, it becomes federal if the case violates a U.S. law, takes place on federally owned land, crosses state lines, impacts a federal agency in some way, or has a significant federal interest. If you are facing federal charges, you need to secure an experienced criminal defense lawyer and start working on a defense.

What Are the Three Types of Federal Cases?

The three main types of federal cases that are heard in U.S. courts are criminal, civil, and bankruptcy cases. Criminal cases involve crimes against the United States, crimes that took place on federal land, or crimes that crossed state lines. Civil cases involve disputes between individuals or organizations that are significant enough to be heard at the federal level. They include breaches of contract, intellectual property disagreements, and even some personal injury cases. Bankruptcy cases fall under federal jurisdiction.

Is It Better to Be Charged by State or Federal Agencies?

Criminal charges of any kind can be overwhelming and have serious consequences, but it’s generally thought that state charges are easier to deal with than federal charges. Federal charges often have mandatory minimum sentences, as well as long-lasting consequences and fewer plea deal options. Regardless, you will want to hire a lawyer to help you.

Johns Creek Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Finding out you are facing federal criminal charges can be difficult to accept. If you’ve never dealt with a legal situation like this before, it’s understandable not to know how to proceed. That’s why a lawyer’s help is so vital to your situation. At The Law Office of Lawrence J. Zimmerman, we can help you determine the right course for your case in Johns Creek. Contact us to speak to someone on our team about your options.