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Virginia Federal Criminal Lawyer

A Virginia federal criminal lawyer handles the defense of those whose alleged offenses are prosecuted not by the Commonwealth of Virginia, but by the United States government. Many crimes may be charged either in state court or in federal court.

If an offense violates not only state law but also the United States Code, it is likely that the case will be tried by federal prosecutors. Conviction in federal court often yields more serious consequences than conviction of the same offense would merit in state court.

Therefore, anyone facing these types of charges is urged to contact an Virginia Federal criminal lawyer who is experienced in facing US Attorneys in court. For the best defense, consult a criminal attorney for advice about how to handle your case.

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Why You Need a Federal Crimes Attorney

Generally speaking, conviction rates in federal court are higher than in state court. This is because prosecutions are supported by investigation from highly specialized governmental agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). However, if one is tried in this court court, a conviction is by no means a foregone conclusion.

With adequate defense from a skilled federal criminal defense attorney, a defendant may successfully see a dismissal of the charges or an acquittal for the alleged crime. Even government agencies make mistakes, and a diligent federal criminal lawyer can uncover procedural and investigative missteps that may have led to the procurement of invalid evidence.

Our attorneys demonstrate continuing success in defending clients charged with federal offenses following an investigation by a US government agency. These skilled litigators confidently challenge federal investigations conducted by agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF); and more.

Some examples of cases handled include drug crimes such as drug trafficking and manufacturing controlled substances, and sex crimes including production or distribution of child pornography or solicitation of a minor.

Virginia Federal Criminal Attorneys and White Collar Defense

Perhaps the most commonly charged offenses are white collar crimes. White collar crimes are those which involve illegal business or commercial activity and are perpetrated for financial gain. Often, these cases are tried in federal court when the victim of the alleged crime is the United States government or any agency or organization that receives government funding.

Federal defense attorneys understand that the burden of proof lies on the federal prosecutors, and they work aggressively to challenge any evidence presented by the US attorneys.

In addition to white collar offenses, many different types of conventional crimes are also federal offenses under the United States Code. Unlike their counterparts at the state level, these federal crimes entail longer terms of incarceration and more robust financial penalties. Moreover, the government has a higher conviction rate due to the resources allocated to the investigation and prosecution of federal offenses.

Security Clearances

Security clearances are not only for high ranking and top-secret positions. It seems like more and more professions are turning to security clearance these days, making the application and hiring process all the more difficult for people. If you have a conviction on your record, you may think the security clearance requirements will automatically exclude you from your potential dream job – but, this does not have to be the case.

Having handled many cases involving security clearances and Virginia criminal charges, our federal criminal attorneys understand your concerns and know your options. Call them today for a free initial consultation on your case to see how they might be able to help you.

Below are just a few different jobs that now require some level of security clearance:

  • Law enforcement
  • Military
  • Security
  • Government
  • Federal agents
  • Private sector

Each field and each potential employer has a different set of standards – some even have varying security standards from position to position. By knowing this and preparing in advance for the security clearance issues that may come up, you can ensure that your past criminal charges are nothing more than a road bump, if they are an obstacle at all.

Even some people who have already obtained security clearances run into issues when they are charged with a crime. But a charge does not always result in a criminal conviction. A defense lawyer with security clearance experience can help you both with your case and the potential impact it could have on your employment.

From filling out the paperwork to assisting you at hearings, a lawyer is a valuable asset when dealing with charges that could jeopardize an existing security clearance, or one’s ability to attain such a clearance in the future. Because the process of obtaining security clearances can be tedious even when you don’t have a record, you may be in for challenges ahead. A criminal conviction doesn’t have to mean the end of your career aspirations. Contact us to discuss your options today.

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