Were you charged with a federal crime in Atlanta, Georgia? Contact Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. to schedule a consultation or call us at (843) 620-1100. Our experienced Atlanta federal criminal defense lawyers can fight for your rights throughout the process and pursue as favorable an outcome as possible under the law.
We’re a nationally-recognized criminal defense law firm with 43 years of combined experience that you can count on. Our legal team knows how the federal system works and has the courtroom ability needed to stand up to United States Attorneys and their investigative teams appropriately.
Why Hire Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. if I’ve Been Charged With a Federal Crime in Atlanta, GA?
Federal prosecutors don’t file charges unless they believe they can win. By the time you find out you’ve been accused of a crime, the government may have already spent months building evidence against you through grand jury proceedings and cooperation from informants. Going up against that level of preparation without experienced defense counsel in your corner is a serious risk.
Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. has been successfully defending clients in federal court for decades, to the point where we’re some of the most well-respected legal professionals in this area of the law.
A few reasons to consider hiring our federal criminal defense lawyers in Atlanta, GA, include:
- We have decades of combined experience handling federal criminal matters across the country
- We’re led by esteemed lawyer Elizabeth Franklin-Best, who is an award-winning author, legal scholar, and trial attorney
- We are well qualified to help throughout the federal criminal justice process, including any appeals and post-conviction relief possibilities as may be relevant, such as 2255 motions
- We will give your case the full force of our attention and resources from start to finish, including hiring expert assistance as applicable
- We’ll keep you apprised of your case’s status at all times and will make sure that every major decision is yours to make in the end
Get in touch with us today to schedule a consultation. We’re ready to begin working on your case immediately.
A Brief Overview of Federal Criminal Charges
Broadly speaking, federal crimes are offenses that violate United States law rather than state law. They’re investigated by federal agencies and are prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys in federal district court.
A case can end up in federal court for several reasons. The most common include:
- The alleged crime crossed state lines
- The offense occurred on federal property
- A federal agency was the target of the alleged crime
- The case involves a federal program, like federal tax revenue
- Federal law specifically covers the offense, such as certain firearms charges
Some examples of federal crimes include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Drug trafficking and distribution
- Wire fraud and mail fraud
- Money laundering
- Tax evasion
- Federal conspiracy
- RICO and organized crime charges
- Weapons offenses
- White collar crimes like counterfeiting
- Cybercrime and identity theft
- Public corruption
Federal cases move differently than state cases as well. For example, the rules of evidence and sentencing frameworks all operate under their own set of standards. Hiring an attorney who practices regularly in federal court is essential to defending yourself effectively.
What Are the Penalties for a Federal Crimes Conviction in Atlanta?
Federal sentencing is governed by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which provide a framework for judges to determine the appropriate punishment based on the severity of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history. While judges have some discretion, the guidelines heavily influence the outcome.
Penalties for federal convictions are often harsher than their state-level equivalents. Depending on the charges, you could be facing:
- Significant federal prison time: Many federal offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that the judge cannot go below. Drug trafficking charges, for example, can carry mandatory minimums of up to 20 years in some cases.
- Substantial fines: Federal fines can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. In white-collar cases, the fines may be calculated based on the amount of financial loss the offense caused.
- Supervised release: After serving your prison sentence, you’ll likely be placed on supervised release for a period of years. Violating the terms of your release can send you back to prison.
- Restitution: If your offense caused financial harm to a victim, the court can order you to pay restitution on top of any fines.
- Asset forfeiture: The government can seize property and assets that it believes were connected to criminal activity.
The sentencing guidelines take into account various factors, like your role in the offense and whether you cooperated with the investigation. An experienced federal defense attorney in Atlanta can advocate for as light a sentence as possible on your behalf if it comes to that. While we will aim to have your charges dismissed altogether, no outcome can be guaranteed in advance.
Collateral Consequences of a Federal Conviction
The penalties imposed by the court are only part of the picture. A federal conviction can follow you for the rest of your life in ways that go beyond prison time and fines.
Some of the collateral consequences that federal defendants face include:
- Difficulty finding employment and housing
- Loss of professional licenses
- Ineligibility for certain government benefits and programs
- Loss of the right to possess firearms
- Immigration consequences for non-citizens, potentially including deportation
- Damage to your personal relationships and reputation in your community
For many people accused of a federal crime, these consequences can be just as devastating as the formal sentence. Protecting your record and your future is one of the most important reasons to invest in a respected criminal defense lawyer from the very beginning.
What Defenses Are Available in Federal Criminal Cases?
The right defense strategy depends on the facts and circumstances specific to your case. Federal prosecutors carry the burden of proving every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest standard in the legal system. That standard creates real opportunities for our defense attorneys to fight back.
Some of the defense strategies our attorneys commonly explore include:
- Constitutional violations: Federal investigations are lengthy and complex. If any aspect of the investigation was carried out improperly, key evidence might be thrown out.
- Insufficient evidence: The government’s case may look compelling on the surface, but weaknesses often emerge under closer examination.
- Lack of intent: Many federal crimes require the government to prove that you acted with a particular state of mind. If the evidence doesn’t clearly establish that you understood what was happening or intended to break the law, this can be a viable defense.
- Entrapment: If a federal agent or informant induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise been involved in, entrapment may apply. This defense comes up frequently in cases built around undercover operations.
- Mistaken identity: Large-scale federal investigations that involve multiple suspects can sometimes result in the wrong person being charged.
- Challenging cooperating witnesses: Federal prosecutors often rely on testimony from cooperating witnesses who are cutting deals to reduce their own sentences.
The most persuasive defense for your situation may involve a combination of these strategies or something entirely different. We will analyze every piece of evidence the government has and identify the approach that gives you the best chance at a favorable result.
How Can a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Atlanta Help With My Case?
Federal cases move fast. Having a federal criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta involved as early as possible, ideally at the pre-trial stage or sooner, levels the playing field and gives you the best chance at protecting your future.
Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. can help with your federal case by:
- Reviewing the government’s evidence and identifying every weakness in their case
- Filing motions to suppress evidence that was obtained through improper means
- Communicating with federal prosecutors on your behalf to explore all of your available options
- Retaining expert witnesses to challenge the government’s theories
- Advising you on what to say and what not to say throughout the process
- Preparing a comprehensive trial defense and representing you aggressively in front of a jury
- Advocating for the lightest possible sentence by presenting mitigating factors to the court
- Representing you during any appeals and post-conviction relief options if necessary, such as compassionate release
Federal prosecutors take notice when a defendant has qualified legal counsel behind them. It changes how they approach your case and can open doors to resolutions that wouldn’t be available otherwise. Contact our lawyers today to learn more about how these cases work and what we can do for you.
Schedule a Consultation With an Atlanta Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Federal charges in Atlanta, GA, demand qualified legal representation from the moment you learn you’re a target. Elizabeth Franklin-Best P.C. has 43 years of combined experience defending clients in federal court and knows what it takes to go up against the full weight of the United States government.
Contact our Atlanta federal criminal defense attorneys today to get started with an initial consultation. We’ll be able to answer any questions you might have at that time.
