Facing Federal Charges In North Carolina
Federal criminal courts are arguably the most intimidating – and perhaps the most unforgiving – courts in which you might find yourself. Unlike a typical state court case, the federal system moves incredibly quickly, with most cases reaching a resolution in four months or less. On top of that, evidence is often collected months before you even know there is a case against you.
If you have been indicted on federal charges, have received a letter from the government identifying you as the target of an investigation, or a North Carolina attorney tells you that your case is “going federal,” you need to obtain counsel with extensive experience handling federal crimes cases.
How Federal Cases Are Handled
A federal case will usually start with your arrest or the issuance of an indictment. You may then find yourself subject to a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing where it will be determined whether you meet any of the conditions for pretrial release. At these hearings, your attorney will have the opportunity to ask preliminary questions to determine whether the government has met the minimum threshold to charge you with a crime.
Within a month, you will be arraigned and a trial date will be set. At this time, you will have one of two options: accept a plea agreement and plead guilty to the charges or continue to trial. If you choose the latter of these options, a jury will review the facts and determine your guilt or innocence.
If you are found not guilty, your case is over. But if you are found guilty or plead guilty, your case will be extended by three to four months for a sentencing hearing.
Why You Need An Attorney
Federal cases, whether they involve drug charges or a weapons offense, are far more complex to handle than those at the state level. From incredibly complicated federal laws to sentencing calculations, harsh prosecution to mandatory minimum sentences, defendants generally face uphill legal battles that are difficult to tackle without a lawyer.
By obtaining the services of a skilled criminal defense lawyer like Scott Coalter, you put nearly two decades of criminal defense experience in your corner. Attorney Scott Coalter is a board-certified specialist in state and federal criminal law in North Carolina, and has handled numerous jury trials over the course of his career.
If you want to defend yourself against federal criminal charges, then contact our law firm, Coalter Law, PLLC. We handle federal cases throughout North Carolina. Call our Greensboro office at 336-646-7977 or send us an email to set up your free initial consultation today. Se habla español.