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How Our Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Assist You New Jersey Federal Crimes Defense Lawyers
Most violations of the law are considered New Jersey state offenses, but some crimes may be prosecuted as a federal offense. The U.S. Code defines certain federal crimes, and an offense will be prosecuted in the federal system if it occurs on federal property or, in some cases, because it involves crossing state or international borders.
If you have been arrested and/or indicted on federal charges, such as drug, weapon, fraud or immigration charges, you need a defense lawyer who understands the special challenges of federal criminal law and procedure. Federal officials typically have more resources than state courts to prepare cases against defendants. Additionally, federal violations often carry more severe penalties than state and local crimes.
The New Jersey federal criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the federal experience and strategic defense thinking needed to protect your rights and possibly your freedom if you face federal charges. Our legal team is made up of former prosecutors and public defenders who have been on both sides of federal criminal cases in New Jersey.
Throughout the State of New Jersey, individuals and families are glad they turned to our law firm for help fighting federal charges because:
- We have selectively built one of the largest and most seasoned criminal defense law firms in the state, with seven highly skilled lawyers, a large legal staff and extensive resources to support them. We are capable of dedicating the time, energy and level of detailed planning into a federal court case that other firms can’t.
- Our attorneys bring knowledge and skills gained through decades of courtroom experience to your case. We have earned our reputation for crafting strategic criminal defense solutions that keep clients out of court, and for presenting strong and persuasive cases to judges and juries when a trial cannot be avoided.
- Our experience has allowed us to develop professional relationships in U.S. District Court courtrooms in Trenton, Camden and Newark, N.J., that enable us to negotiate and obtain reduced charges, lighter fines and sentences, and other agreements for our clients’ benefit.
If you have been arrested, face federal indictment or have already been indicted, decisions you make now can have a significant impact on your future. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our defense attorneys know how to make the differences between state and federal criminal prosecution work in your favor at every opportunity.
Call or fill out our online form today to set up a free and confidential legal consultation with one of our experienced federal criminal defense attorneys at any of our nine New Jersey law offices.
How Our Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Assist You
If you face federal criminal charges, your case may be based on:
- Indictment by a federal grand jury. In the federal criminal justice system, the prosecution presents evidence to a grand jury, which then decides to issue formal criminal charges, known as an indictment. You respond to an indictment as you would other criminal charges. But, if you know an indictment is imminent or that a federal investigation is underway, that can be a highly beneficial time to seek the legal assistance of a federal criminal defense attorney.
- Arrest on federal property. If you are arrested on federal property or by federal law enforcement officers for any legal offense, the related charges are filed by the U.S. government and are referred to the federal court system. Federal installations in New Jersey include:
- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, Lakehurst Maxfield Field)
- Naval Weapons Station Earle at Colts Neck, N.J.
- Picatinny Arsenal in Morris County, N.J.
- National Park Service properties, such as Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Ellis Island, Gateway National Recreation Area and Fort Hancock, Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve, etc.
Crimes of violence, property destruction, service disruption or interfering with a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official at an airport may be prosecuted as federal crimes, as well.
Sometimes, a case that is being investigated by state and/or local officials becomes a federal case if multiple people, multiple alleged instances of crime and/or large amounts of money or contraband (drugs, illegal weapons, etc.) are involved.
When a series of indictments allege multiple people have colluded to form a criminal enterprise, the government may, in addition to conspiracy charges, levy RICO charges under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act.
If you have been arrested and are being held, we will work first to have you released for the lowest amount of bail possible or released on your own recognizance (ROR).
We can also begin immediately to investigate your case, including reaching out to contacts with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to work to keep the most serious potential charges against you from even being considered.
In cases before a grand jury, we can:
- Monitor the investigation and the grand jury testimony to get an idea of the evidence against you
- Investigate the facts of the case, and the evidence and charges under consideration
- Advise you about your own testimony and/or cooperation with investigators, if you are subpoenaed
It is not unusual for us to negotiate the conversion of a client’s status in an investigation from “target” to “unindicted coconspirator,” “person of interest,” or “witness.” In certain situations, we can negotiate with the government for you to testify under a grant of immunity.
If you are indicted, we can begin immediately to work on our challenges to the government’s case.
We may be able to attack the charges on the basis of flawed testimony or lack of credibility among alleged coconspirators or undercover agents. Sometimes, such as when alleged coconspirators face more serious charges, we can leverage your knowledge of the case or the names of confidential informants to convince the government to reduce or drop charges against you.
In some cases, such as simple arrests on federal property or charges transferred from state to federal court, we may be able to challenge the government’s case due to:
- Improper or illegal search and seizure
- Chain of custody issues with evidence alleged to have been in your possession, such as drugs or weapons
- Mistaken identity, due to a flawed lineup or false accusations, or another procedural error
- Racial, ethnic, socio-economic or other bias against you
When necessary, or if it best serves your interests, we will be ready for trial with a case that demonstrates to judge and jury that justice demands a not-guilty verdict.
Federal charges are often based on complex cases and laws, which can make it tougher for the federal government to prove its allegations. It is important that you understand what you’re up against, for better or worse, and that you have skilled and experienced legal representation.
Call or fill out our online form today to talk to one of our experienced federal crimes defense attorneys about your case. We can meet in any of our nine offices in New Jersey to outline the legal options available, and the best steps to take to protect yourself from federal authorities.
Federal Crime Charges in New Jersey We Can Help With
Police and prosecutors can try to make a federal case out of almost any allegation of crime. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the pretrial and trial skills necessary to protect you from a wide range of federal criminal charges, including but not limited to:
- Drug trafficking, smuggling or importation
- Federal weapons offenses, such as felon in possession of a firearm
- Federal immigration charges
- Fraud and federal false statement cases, including mail/wire / Internet fraud
- Public corruption, such as bribery or campaign finance violations
- Conspiracy charges of all kinds
- Bank robbery
- Bank fraud
- Kidnapping
- Counterfeiting
- Money laundering
- Child pornography
- Embezzlement
- Assault on a federal officer or agent
- Crimes on federal property, from traffic offenses to vandalism, larceny, assault, etc.
Being convicted of a federal crime can lead to prison time and fines levied in degrees according to the seriousness of the offense. A convicted defendant may also be required to pay restitution and additional fees and lose other rights and privileges.
In some cases, because of the doctrine of concurrent jurisdiction, if a person is acquitted of a federal charge, state prosecutors can still bring separate charges and another legal case against the defendant.
To ensure that your rights are protected to the fullest extent allowed by law, it is important that you engage a federal criminal defense attorney experienced in New Jersey as soon as you have the first hint of a federal investigation or a charge against you. Set up a free initial legal consultation with the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall at any of our nine New Jersey locations now so we can get started on a strong legal defense for you.
Contact Our Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
Do not wait to begin developing a strong legal response to federal criminal charges. Federal prosecutors have deeper resources than state officials, which can enable then to mount strong cases if not adequately challenged. Federal criminal penalties are severe. Schedule a free consultation with our respected New Jersey federal criminal defense lawyers now.
