Federal Criminal Lawyers
Separate and apart from our State system of prosecution is the Federal system and Federal cases differ in many ways. Federal agents and prosecutors have far fewer cases than their state counterparts, can devote more time and more resources can be spent on each prosecution. Judges, not juries, determine punishment. That punishment is determined through Federal criminal sentencing guidelines, which generally do not provide for probation, and instead give out very lengthy prison terms. Juries tend to be more conservative, as they come from the entire Austin Division (including Bastrop, Blanco, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Gillespie, Hays, Kimble, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, San Saba, Travis, Washington and Williamson Counties). A criminal defense lawyer does not get the extensive chance to interview juries - called voire dire - as they do in state court.
But most importantly, plea negotiations in federal court are usually just “open” pleas. The judicial philosophy is that the federal judge, aided by the federal probation officers and applying their Sentencing guidelines, should determine a defendant’s sentence. This is opposed to the state court, where most of the time the prosecutor and defendant agree upon a specific sentence.
In spirit, and in the law, there is a whole different set of rules and strategies between state and federal courts. Experience in the federal system is a tremendous asset. As federal defense lawyers , we have represented many hundreds of clients, including trials, contested sentencings, supervised release hearing, post-conviction motions, and appeals. Put our experience to use for you.