federal crimes
federal crimes defense attorney in greenville, sc and upstate sc request
If you or a family member needs a criminal defense attorney, act quickly. Contact Watson Fowler for a free and fully confidential initial consultation.
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federal criminal defense lawyer in greenville, sc
Federal criminal defense is very different than criminal defense in SC state court – the crimes are different, the procedure is different, sentencing is different, and the players are different. For one, federal prosecutors assigned are almost always much more closely involved with investigations into federal crimes well before arrests are ever made.
Only select attorneys can accept or competently handle federal criminal cases. Attorneys at Watson Fowler are admitted to practice in federal United States District of South Carolina and equipped to handle such federal criminal cases. If you’ve been nabbed by the feds, we know the stakes.
What Types of Cases are Brought in Federal Criminal Court?
Although there is a wide range of criminal offenses that are brought in Charleston’s federal court, some of the more common cases that we see include:
- Drug crimes, including federal drug conspiracies;
- Firearms offenses;
- Fraud charges, such as wire fraud and mail fraud;
- Embezzlement and business fraud; and
What are the Penalties in Federal Court?
In Greenville’s federal court, the penalties after a conviction are driven by the federal sentencing guidelines. Depending on your prior record (criminal history), the offense charged, and the dollar value assigned to any conspiracy you are charged as a part of, your potential penalties with vary greatly.
For example, if you are charged in a federal drug conspiracy, your sentence will increase depending on the total weight of the drugs that the government believes are attributable to every person in the conspiracy – even if you never met all of the coconspirators.
For each prior conviction that you have, points are assigned that will increase the potential sentencing range, and there will most likely be mandatory minimum sentences.
In most cases, there will be an acceptable sentencing range, based on the federal sentencing guidelines, that the court must stay within unless the judge specifically states their reason for deviating from the suggested sentence.
Are Federal Criminal Cases More Difficult to Win than State Cases?
Usually yes.
The federal system is designed to force defendants to plead guilty. Defendants are rewarded for cooperation and heavily punished for not cooperating or for going to trial.
For example, in drug conspiracy cases, every defendant is encouraged to “debrief” and give information on every person that they have ever dealt drugs with. If they cooperate and their information is useful to the government, they may get a sentence reduction at their sentencing hearing. If they tell the DEA or other federal agent only information that the agent already knew, the sentence reduction will be smaller. If they testify at another defendant’s trial, they can expect a significant reduction in sentence.
Because of this system, if you go to trial in a drug conspiracy, you can expect to see a long list of federal inmates lining up to testify against you – whether their information is accurate or not. However, if you intend to cooperate, you need to do so early in your case – when co-defendants provide information before you, you do not get the full credit for your cooperation.
This does not mean that you cannot go to trial in a federal criminal case – it does mean that you need to go to trial with your eyes open and understanding the obstacles you and your attorney will be facing. Federal criminal trials can be won in the right circumstances, despite the challenges that the court and government have in place.
SC Federal Criminal Defense Attorney in Greenville
If you have been charged in federal court in Greenville, SC,
or if you have been contacted by the DEA, FBI, ATF, Homeland Security, or an agent from any federal agency, it is crucial that you retain an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer immediately – especially before you talk with the federal agent.
Call the federal defense lawyers available at Watson Fowler NOW at (864) 467-0380 or send us a message online to schedule a free consultation.
federal crimes defense attorney in greenville, sc and upstate sc request
If you or a family member needs a criminal defense attorney, act quickly. Contact Watson Fowler for a free and fully confidential initial consultation.
Contact Us
We will get back to you as soon as possible.
Please try again later.
federal criminal defense lawyer in greenville, sc
Federal criminal defense is very different than criminal defense in SC state court – the crimes are different, the procedure is different, sentencing is different, and the players are different. For one, federal prosecutors assigned are almost always much more closely involved with investigations into federal crimes well before arrests are ever made.
Only select attorneys can accept or competently handle federal criminal cases. Attorneys at Watson Fowler are admitted to practice in federal United States District of South Carolina and equipped to handle such federal criminal cases. If you’ve been nabbed by the feds, we know the stakes.
What Types of Cases are Brought in Federal Criminal Court?
Although there is a wide range of criminal offenses that are brought in Charleston’s federal court, some of the more common cases that we see include:
- Drug crimes, including federal drug conspiracies;
- Firearms offenses;
- Fraud charges, such as wire fraud and mail fraud;
- Embezzlement and business fraud; and
What Types of Cases are Brought in Federal Criminal
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What are the Penalties in Federal Court?
In Greenville’s federal court, the penalties after a conviction are driven by the federal sentencing guidelines. Depending on your prior record (criminal history), the offense charged, and the dollar value assigned to any conspiracy you are charged as a part of, your potential penalties with vary greatly.
For example, if you are charged in a federal drug conspiracy, your sentence will increase depending on the total weight of the drugs that the government believes are attributable to every person in the conspiracy – even if you never met all of the coconspirators.
For each prior conviction that you have, points are assigned that will increase the potential sentencing range, and there will most likely be mandatory minimum sentences.
In most cases, there will be an acceptable sentencing range, based on the federal sentencing guidelines, that the court must stay within unless the judge specifically states their reason for deviating from the suggested sentence.
Are Federal Criminal Cases More Difficult to Win than State Cases?
Usually yes.
The federal system is designed to force defendants to plead guilty. Defendants are rewarded for cooperation and heavily punished for not cooperating or for going to trial.
For example, in drug conspiracy cases, every defendant is encouraged to “debrief” and give information on every person that they have ever dealt drugs with. If they cooperate and their information is useful to the government, they may get a sentence reduction at their sentencing hearing. If they tell the DEA or other federal agent only information that the agent already knew, the sentence reduction will be smaller. If they testify at another defendant’s trial, they can expect a significant reduction in sentence.
Because of this system, if you go to trial in a drug conspiracy, you can expect to see a long list of federal inmates lining up to testify against you – whether their information is accurate or not. However, if you intend to cooperate, you need to do so early in your case – when co-defendants provide information before you, you do not get the full credit for your cooperation.
This does not mean that you cannot go to trial in a federal criminal case – it does mean that you need to go to trial with your eyes open and understanding the obstacles you and your attorney will be facing. Federal criminal trials can be won in the right circumstances, despite the challenges that the court and government have in place.
SC Federal Criminal Defense Attorney in Greenville
If you have been charged in federal court in Greenville, SC,
or if you have been contacted by the DEA, FBI, ATF, Homeland Security, or an agent from any federal agency, it is crucial that you retain an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer immediately – especially before you talk with the federal agent.
Call the federal defense lawyers available at Watson Fowler NOW at (864) 467-0380 or send us a message online to schedule a free consultation.
federal criminal defense lawyer in greenville, sc
Federal criminal defense is very different than criminal defense in SC state court – the crimes are different, the procedure is different, sentencing is different, and the players are different. For one, federal prosecutors assigned are almost always much more closely involved with investigations into federal crimes well before arrests are ever made.
Only select attorneys can accept or competently handle federal criminal cases. Attorneys at Watson Fowler are admitted to practice in federal United States District of South Carolina and equipped to handle such federal criminal cases. If you’ve been nabbed by the feds, we know the stakes.
What Types of Cases are Brought in Federal Criminal Court?
Although there is a wide range of criminal offenses that are brought in Charleston’s federal court, some of the more common cases that we see include:
- Drug crimes, including federal drug conspiracies;
- Firearms offenses;
- Fraud charges, such as wire fraud and mail fraud;
- Embezzlement and business fraud; and
What are the Penalties in Federal Court?
In Greenville’s federal court, the penalties after a conviction are driven by the federal sentencing guidelines. Depending on your prior record (criminal history), the offense charged, and the dollar value assigned to any conspiracy you are charged as a part of, your potential penalties with vary greatly.
For example, if you are charged in a federal drug conspiracy, your sentence will increase depending on the total weight of the drugs that the government believes are attributable to every person in the conspiracy – even if you never met all of the coconspirators.
For each prior conviction that you have, points are assigned that will increase the potential sentencing range, and there will most likely be mandatory minimum sentences.
In most cases, there will be an acceptable sentencing range, based on the federal sentencing guidelines, that the court must stay within unless the judge specifically states their reason for deviating from the suggested sentence.
Are Federal Criminal Cases More Difficult to Win than State Cases?
Usually yes.
The federal system is designed to force defendants to plead guilty. Defendants are rewarded for cooperation and heavily punished for not cooperating or for going to trial.
For example, in drug conspiracy cases, every defendant is encouraged to “debrief” and give information on every person that they have ever dealt drugs with. If they cooperate and their information is useful to the government, they may get a sentence reduction at their sentencing hearing. If they tell the DEA or other federal agent only information that the agent already knew, the sentence reduction will be smaller. If they testify at another defendant’s trial, they can expect a significant reduction in sentence.
Because of this system, if you go to trial in a drug conspiracy, you can expect to see a long list of federal inmates lining up to testify against you – whether their information is accurate or not. However, if you intend to cooperate, you need to do so early in your case – when co-defendants provide information before you, you do not get the full credit for your cooperation.
This does not mean that you cannot go to trial in a federal criminal case – it does mean that you need to go to trial with your eyes open and understanding the obstacles you and your attorney will be facing. Federal criminal trials can be won in the right circumstances, despite the challenges that the court and government have in place.
SC Federal Criminal Defense Attorney in Greenville
If you have been charged in federal court in Greenville, SC,
or if you have been contacted by the DEA, FBI, ATF, Homeland Security, or an agent from any federal agency, it is crucial that you retain an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer immediately – especially before you talk with the federal agent.
Call the federal defense lawyers available at Watson Fowler NOW at (864) 467-0380 or send us a message online to schedule a free consultation.
CONTACT US TODAY
Do you have other legal questions or not sure we cover what you need? Give us a call for a free consultation. Contact Watson Fowler today; it never hurts to ask.
ABOUT US
The attorneys at Watson Fowler bring to bear enormous experience in all levels of court in South Carolina
P: 864-467-0380
F: 864-362-8342
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