Lexington Federal Crimes Lawyer

Facing prosecution for a federal crime in Lexington, KY can be a terrifying situation. If you have been charged with a federal crime, you need a top-notch Lexington federal crimes lawyer by your side. Contact us at (859) 569-4014.

The uncertainties and fears you are experiencing right now are valid.

Federal crimes violate laws set by congress and the penalties can be harsh, including massive fines and jail time.

Your family, your career, and future are all at stake. Unlike crimes at the state level, federal crimes are handled by the United States Attorney’s office.

These prosecutors are often at the top of their fields, have more resources, and are zealous in pursuit of a conviction. At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we have the most highly-qualified, well-respected federal crimes lawyers in the state of Kentucky. Federal prosecutors fight hard. We fight back. 

Why Hire Suhre & Associates, LLC, if Charged with a Federal Crime?

Why Hire Suhre & Associates, LLC, if Charged with a Federal Crime?

Suhre & Associates is a renowned, highly respected criminal defense firm in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. We know what we are up against when we deal with federal prosecutors and we know what it will take to do battle with them.

Our knowledge and skills are on par and we have significant resources and a network of experts at our fingertips.

We get to work immediately to discredit the evidence. We check to be sure any search warrant was valid, whether law enforcement officers had probable cause if you were stopped and had drugs in your vehicle, and whether there was any racial profiling that led to your arrest and criminal charges. 

A skilled Lexington criminal defense lawyer knows how to effectively attack any evidence the prosecution raises in its case against you. We do not judge you. We have seen numerous cases, many of them worse than yours, and we understand mistakes happen. Despite that, you have a right to be treated fairly and protected by the United States Constitution. 

No crime is too complex and no evidence is too damning. We are ready to fight for you in your most distressing time. Regardless of what federal crime you are facing, it is imperative that you contact our legal counsel at Suhre & Associates immediately, as penalties for federal crimes are harsh.

The prosecution of federal crimes follows federal criminal law and procedure. This is a highly complex area of law, and a general criminal law attorney is not enough. To successfully defend yourself against these charges, you need to hire seasoned federal crimes attorneys who have the extensive experience and know-how in this unique area of law to get you the most optimal outcome.

If you are facing charges on a federal level, you must act now. There is no time to wait to seek legal counsel. Our team of federal crimes lawyers in Lexington are here and ready to protect you, your rights, and your future. 

What Makes a Crime a Federal Crime?

Generally, a crime is considered a federal crime if it is in violation of the United States federal legal codes or if the perpetrator of the crime conducts activity across multiple states. When a crime crosses state lines, it is called an interstate crime.

The following are instances when a crime falls under federal jurisdiction:

  • The United States is a party
  • The case involves violations of the United States Constitution, treaties, or federal laws
  • It is a legal dispute between citizens of different states or foreign citizens
  • It is a bankruptcy, copyright, patent and maritime law case
  • It involves a criminal matter listed in the United States Code

Federal crimes are violations of laws where there are federal or national interests at stake, or where the crime interferes with the federal government’s duties. Counterfeiting, for example, is a federal violation because printing money is the domain of the federal government.

Federal Court System

Although the United States Constitution only mentions the United States Supreme Court, it allows for the U.S. Congress to create other federal courts as it deems necessary. Over time, Congress created other courts that serve various regions within states and across the country

The key federal courts that make up the federal court system are as follows:

  • The United States Supreme Court: This is the highest court in the United States and was created by the founders within the United States Constitution, Article III. The same Article authorized the creation of a lower court system by the U.S. Congress.
  • United States Courts of Appeals: The United States Courts of Appeals are 13 appellate courts below the U.S. Supreme Court. These courts do not actually conduct trials or reconsider the facts of the case, so they do not have a jury—-only three appellate judges hear the appeal. Appellate courts exist to ensure the law was applied correctly in the District Court below, where the case was tried.
  • United States District Courts: There are 94 courts across the country that make up the United States District Courts (also called federal trial courts). These 94 courts are broken into groups that then funnel up to one of the 13 appellate courts. The duty of these courts is to consider and decide disputes related to federal crimes by determining facts and applying federal law. If one of the parties disagrees with how the law was applied, that party can appeal to the corresponding appellate court. There is at least one district court in each state.

Federal cases for those residing in Lexington, KY and surrounding counties, are handled by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. 

Types of Federal Crimes

Typical federal crimes include:

  • Terrorism- Using coercion or fear tactics to try to affect and control the government is defined as terrorism. This charge can range from threatening officials to the use of weapons of mass destruction. Sentences can range twenty years to life, and even the death penalty can be implemented if deaths occur.
  • Crimes on federal land such as a murder in a national park/forest, theft on an Indian reservation, or sexual assault on a military base, or an attack against a member of the Drug Enforcement Agency 
  • Crimes that involve federal agencies/officers, such as an attack against a member of the Drug Enforcement Agency or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
  • Drug trafficking and/or interdiction (the interception, delay, or disruption of shipments such as arms); depending on the amount of drugs being transported, drug trafficking conviction can mean a sentence of three years to life in prison. This depends on the amount of drugs being transported.
  • Internet fraud with victims and perpetrators in multiple states
  • Kidnapping where the kidnapper takes the victim across state lines
  • Firearms violations (e.g., using a firearm in the commission of a federal crime such as drug trafficking; possessing a firearm if you are a fugitive across state lines, a drug user recently convicted, if you have been dishonorably discharged from the military)
  • Immigration and customs violations (e.g. international human trafficking)
  • Child pornography (using a child for sexual gratification. Recording sexual abuse of a child or possessing materials of the events)
  • Mail fraud or conspiracy of fraud (fraud that uses the United States mail)
  • Transportation of stolen property from one state to another
  • Wire fraud (scheme to get money based on fraud, using the mail or electronic transmission)   
  • Financial Monetary Fraud– Theft by deception involving large amounts of money.

Additional crimes include aircraft hijacking, healthcare fraud, identity theft, violations of the Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), and other white collar crimes. Suhre & Associates, LLC can handle all these and more. 

What Are the Penalties for Federal Crimes?

Penalties for federal crimes are governed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines put together by the United States Sentencing Commission. Many of the guidelines require mandatory minimum sentences. This means that, even where warranted, judges have no leeway or discretion to hand down a more lenient sentence. 

All federal crimes carry a minimum sentence of one year. Many federal crimes involve stacking charges, resulting in sentences from 20 years to life in prison. For some federal crimes, capital punishment can be imposed.

Such guidelines make it all the more critical that you have a strong federal crimes attorney who knows how to negotiate and argue for a lesser charge. Federal penalties tend to be longer than state penalties even where the cases and charges are otherwise similar. If you are convicted of a federal crime and sentenced to prison time, you will serve in a federal prison rather than a state prison. 

As you can see, federal crimes are very serious and carry harsh penalties. Our federal crimes lawyers at Suhre & Associates will explain your charges in detail and help you understand what you can expect in terms of penalties. Having our experienced Kentucky law firm in your corner offers you the greatest likelihood of getting the charges dropped or reduced.

Over-Sentencing

Kentucky has one of the nation’s harshest laws regarding repeat offenders. Overpopulation in state prisons is an ongoing issue because 55.7% of federal inmates are serving minimum mandatory sentencing. Offenders convicted of violent charges are required to serve 85% of their sentences before the possibility of parole. 

The lack of a cap on non-life sentences means that many people are forced to live their entire life inside and then die in prison. Drug crimes carry particular harsh sentences. We fight hard and do everything possible to help our clients avoid these over-sentencing penalties and protect their future

Contact Our Lexington Federal Crimes Lawyers at Suhre & Associates Today 

When you are dealing with a federal criminal charge in Lexington, KY, you need an attorney who has represented clients in federal court. The court rules and processes are very different between federal courts and state courts. Hiring an attorney with federal court experience can be a game changer. 

Federal crime charges are serious, and so are we. At Suhre & Associates, LLC, we know the law inside and out. There are numerous clauses and loopholes that less competent lawyers  may miss. Contacting our law firm can mean all the difference in your case. 

No matter how large the charges or how stacked the evidence, we are the best of Lexington federal crimes lawyers. Call us for a free consultation today to discuss your case right away.

Suhre & Associates, LLC
333 W Vine St #212
Lexington, KY
(859) 569-4014

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