Miami Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Aggressive Defense Against Federal Charges in Florida

Anytime you are facing criminal charges, the emotional anxiety and stress you experience can be overwhelming. When you are facing federal charges, the potential penalties are even worse. Federal prosecutors have almost endless resources to build their case, and they will be aggressive in seeking the harshest possible penalties. You need a Miami criminal defense attorney who understands the protocols involved in federal court cases. At the Tomas Law Firm, not only do they have an impressive track record when it comes to criminal defense, their extensive skill and knowledge extends to the more complex arena of Federal Court.

Have you been accused of a federal crime? Call the Tomas Law Firm, today at (305) 290-2313 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Miami federal criminal defense lawyer.

What is a Federal Crime?

What makes a crime a federal crime is that it violates federal legal codes or when the individual carries the criminal act over multiple states, such as drug trafficking or wire fraud. Other factors such as applying aggravated factors, hacking federally owned computers, and terrorism if the crime happens on federal property.

Crimes Under Federal Jurisdiction

Some examples of crimes that are a matter of federal jurisdiction include:

• RICO Offenses
• Public Corruption
• Kidnapping
• Bank Fraud
• Wire Fraud
• Tax Fraud
• Federal Drug Crimes
• White Collar Crimes

Key Differences Between State and Federal Court Cases

In the most basic sense, cases that are handled in state court involve violations of state law. Cases handled in federal court involve violations of federal law. Sometimes, an alleged criminal offense violates state law as well as federal law. These situations could go either way and will depend heavily upon the discretion of the court. State criminal court cases are prosecuted by state prosecutors, while federal criminal court cases are prosecuted by someone called a U.S. Attorney, essentially a federal prosecutor. Another major difference with federal cases is that defendants face evidence compiled by federal investigative agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These are powerful agencies with the ability to bring strong evidence against a defendant. If only for this reason, it is vital for defendants to be represented by a strong defense lawyer.

Florida State Courts

There are various state and federal courts in the state of Florida. There are four state courts, most with locations in multiple jurisdictions, those are:

• Florida Supreme Court
• Florida District Courts of Appeal
• Florida Circuit Courts
• Florida County Courts

Florida Federal Courts Based On Districts

There are also three federal courts in the state of Florida, each representing a different district. Those are:

• U.S. District Courts for the Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Courts for the Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Courts for the Southern District of Florida

If you are notified that your criminal case is being heard in federal court, the court you will have to report to will correspond with the jurisdiction where the alleged criminal act took place. If you reside in Miami or your charges originated in or near Miami, then your case will go to the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida because that is the district that represents Miami-Dade County.

Contact Our Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Miami Today

Our firm has extensive experience in deferral court, litigating all phases of criminal cases. Our Miami federal criminal defense lawyer will not allow you to be intimidated by a zealous federal prosecutor taking advantage of a big budget. We have the tenacity to aggressively stand up and fight for your rights, and can also work with those same federal prosecutors negotiating for either a reduction or dismissal of charges. We will vigorously pursue optimal results for you.

In addition to being highly skilled in criminal defense, Mr. Tomas is a board-certified tax lawyer giving him a unique insight into white-collar cases, and the firm has the resources necessary to evaluate your case to strategically determine your best legal options. Another factor that can make federal cases more difficult for a defendant is that federal trials generally happen much more quickly. It is important that you have a Miami criminal defense attorney that is devoted to ensuring that your case is thoroughly prepared.