Mississippi Federal Crimes Defense Attorney Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Southern Mississippi
A federal crime is different from a state crime in that a broken federal law must be resolved in federal courts. It is possible for a law to be both a state law and a federal law, meaning that you could possibly have to defend your case in both courts. Often, a federal crime is a type of white collar crime. If you have been charged with a federal crime in Mississippi or are being investigated by the federal government, you will need a criminal defense lawyer who understands the systems and procedures of a federal court.
Federal Crimes in Mississippi
Some of the federal crimes for which you can be charged in Mississippi are:
- Bank fraud
- Mortgage fraud
- Drug offenses
- Weapons and firearms offenses
- Cyber crimes, such as Internet pornography
- Public corruption
- Bribery
In Mississippi, there are two geographically divided federal court districts, one in the north and one in the south. A Mississippi criminal defense attorney must be admitted or have permission to practice in federal court. It is important that you employ the services of an experienced federal crimes defense lawyer who knows the different federal rules for criminal procedure, trial procedure, evidence procedure, and federal sentencing guidelines.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
Federal sentencing guidelines are advisory, but they must be considered by the judge when determining the outcome of your case. The judges in the Southern District of Mississippi almost always abide by the sentencing guidelines; in fact, among federal courts, they rank second highest for following the guidelines. Federal sentencing guidelines take many factors into consideration -- a sentence imposed needs "to reflect the seriousness of the offense, to promote respect for the law, and to provide just punishment for the offense;
to afford adequate deterrence to criminal conduct;
to protect the public from further crimes of the defendant; and
to provide the defendant with needed educational or vocational training, medical care, or other correctional treatment in the most effective manner." (18 U.S.C. § 3553) These guidelines can help you know what sort of penalties you are facing if convicted.
Defending Mississippi Federal Crimes
At Miller & Miller, we understand the anxiety and trepidation that a federal crime accusation can cause. We can represent you in a federal court, work aggressively to defend your rights, and give you the personal attention that will help ensure that your case is thoroughly investigated, accurately presented and expertly argued.
If you have been accused of a federal crime, it is imperative that you
contact a Mississippi Federal Crimes Defense Attorney
as soon as possible. A lawyer from our firm may be able to help you.