federal-crimesWithout a good criminal lawyer in Las Vegas, a person is opening the door to the possibility of an unfair and unjust legal proceeding. It is imperative that you contact a good federal criminal defense lawyer with a proven track record that shows his effectiveness every day in dealing with cases like yours. If you are looking for an effective lawyer, your search ends with attorney Gabriel Grasso. He is knowledgeable, highly experienced and willing to help.

Federal vs. State charges

If you have found yourself in trouble with the law, it is important for you to understand what type of charges you are facing, and who will be prosecuting your case. Federal criminal charges most often involve conduct that is in violation of a law passed by the United States Congress, or federal laws outlined in the United States Constitution. State criminal charges most often deal with a violation of a state law.

At the discretion of the prosecution a party may be charged directly for a crime or a grand jury may be employed to determine if an indictment is handed down.

Common Federal Offenses

No matter what federal criminal charges you are facing, Mr. Grasso has the experience and resources to make sure you are granted a fair trial.

3 Federal Crime FAQs

How does a federal crime differ from a state crime?

Although many crimes are prosecutable on both the federal and state level, there is still a distinction between the two. The key difference between a federal and state crime is which level of government passed the legislation that made the activity illegal. Federal crimes are in violation of laws passed by the US Congress, while state crimes are in violation of laws passed by a state of local authority.

How will federal sentencing guidelines affect my case?

If a court finds you guilty of committing a federal crime, the judge will be required to sentence you according to federal sentencing guidelines. When a sentence is handed down, there is both a minimum and maximum punishment, varying depending on a number of factors. The range of punishment a defendant is subject to can be determined by factors such as how much money was involved in the crime, how involved the defendant was, and whether or not they had committed a similar crime in the past. In many cases, judges are obligated to hand down these sentences, unless the case is particularly unusual or the defendant meets the requirements for an exception.  However, in recent years, the constitutionality of these mandatory minimums has been challenged. In some cases, judges are only required to use mandatory sentencing guidelines as a guideline.

When is an appropriate time to contact an attorney?

Many who are under investigation for federal crimes assume that they don’t need to contact an attorney until after they have been charged with a crime. It’s important to keep in mind that an attorney should be contacted immediately, as you have many rights during an investigation that need to be protected. An experienced criminal defense attorney will keep your best interests in mind, and most likely be the determining factor in how your case turns out.

Sentencing

How does the law determine my sentencing?

Two main factors determine the type of sentence a crime carries.

  1. The type of criminal offense
  2. Criminal history of the offender

A Federal District Court Judge will determine the sentencing based upon many circumstances, including the factors in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a) and the federal sentencing guidelines. One’s criminal history also plays a significant role in the judge’s sentencing procedure.

Sentencing Zones

Since 2005 and the U.S. v. Booker decision, the federal sentencing guidelines have been opened to creative lawyering and the possibility of a sentence which is less than the prosecutor is asking for. Information such as this is important and can help you to avoid prison time. The most effective Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Las Vegas locals and visitors have come to trust and respect can help you with the best strategy for decreasing your sentence.

The top federal criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas

As lead council in a number of federal jury trials in federal districts across the nation, Mr. Grasso has experience in a wide range of federal charges. For over 30 years Mr. Grasso has been helping people like you get the fair trial and high quality representation they deserve.

Having the right federal criminal defense attorney is crucial especially after the 2005 “Booker” decision gave federal trial judges more sentencing discretion. Let Mr. Grasso take advantage of these changes to the law and try to get you the lowest sentence possible.

No matter what charges you are facing, Mr. Grasso can help. If you are in need of a criminal lawyer in Las Vegas, call Gabriel L. Grasso at (702) 868-8866 today.