Ventura Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Federal Crimes

Protect Your Rights in Federal Court

Are you facing accusations of a white collar crime? If so, your reputation and your career are at risk. Being convicted of a white collar crime can destroy your credibility within your professional life, which will make it difficult to maintain your job or find new opportunities. Additionally, it may tarnish your personal relationships and cause emotional and financial strain on your family.

If you are charged with a federal crime, you need a specially trained attorney to represent you with effective criminal defense. Federal crimes are offenses committed against the United States government or on government property. They are tried in federal court, not state court.

Federal crimes are typically punished harshly. If you have been accused of committing an offense against the federal government, you need a competent trial team to help you. Attorney Ron S. Bamieh has represented clients against city, county, and state governments and has tried numerous complex cases in federal court.

It is essential that you retain representation from a criminal defense lawyer who can provide compassionate legal counsel and guidance in this difficult time. At The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC in Ventura, California, we can be in your corner every step of the way to help you face investigations for white collar crimes with confidence. Our attorney has been named a Defense Attorney of the Year, so you can trust that his success is proven and recognized by his peers.

Understanding Your Charges

White collar crime is an umbrella term that describes a range of crimes typically involving businesses or individuals who have committed some form of fraud or financial schemes. Generally, this class of crime is considered nonviolent, although they do sometimes incorporate violent crimes. Instead, many of them are crimes that cause financial harm, such as tax fraud, forgery, and internet crimes.

Common White Collar Crimes Include:

  • Identity Theft
  • Extortion
  • Money Laundering
  • Internet Fraud
  • Tax Fraud
  • Mail Fraud
  • Bribery
  • Credit Card Fraud
  • Healthcare Fraud
  • Receiving Stolen Property
  • Social Security Fraud

The penalties for a white collar crime vary based upon the severity of the offense. In these cases, severity is typically determined by the amount of money that was allegedly wrongfully obtained. Sentences can include a range of jail time and required community service. Additionally, a convicted individual will likely be required to provide restitution to the victims of their fraudulence, as well as punitive fines set by the court. White collar crime conviction can be expensive, so it is imperative that you hire the right criminal defense lawyer.

What are Federal Crimes?

Many suspects don’t know that their alleged offense is a federal matter until they are charged. Whether or not the federal government has jurisdiction over your case can be confusing and complex. At our firm, we are dedicated to ensuring that our clients are educated and well-informed about the details of their charges. We can help you analyze the elements of your case and build a strong defense.

Federal court jurisdiction is more limited than state court in regards to the types of cases it can hear. State courts typically try a significantly greater amount of cases, and most crimes are generally tried in state court over federal court. There are very specific guidelines for when a federal court can hear a case, which means that if your crime is considered federal, it should not be taken lightly.

Federal Jurisdiction Depends Upon the Following Elements:

  • Whether or not the United States is a party in the case
  • Whether or not the U.S. Constitution or federal laws have been violated
  • If the case is between citizens of different states and the controversy is over $75,000

If federal law has been violated, the crime can only be tried in federal court. Additionally, crimes committed on federal property can be charged as federal crimes. Thus whether your crime is considered federal or state largely depends on the laws that govern the charge. This means that it is important to completely understand the exact charges of your case, and we want to help you do so, so that you can be prepared and confident facing your trial.

Some of the more common federal crimes include:

  • Conspiracy
  • Espionage
  • Mortgage fraud
  • Terrorism
  • Tax fraud
  • Perjury
  • Mail fraud
  • Federal firearms offenses
  • Bank fraud
  • Social Security fraud
  • Healthcare fraud
  • Internet fraud

Penalties for Federal Convictions

Federal crime penalties will vary depending on the crime that was committed. The Department of Justice has authority over issuing penalties for federal crimes. The federal courts will follow the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) that is published by the United States Sentencing Commission. While federal laws typically establish maximum and minimum punishments, the USSG distinguishes factors that must be considered when determining the exact sentence.

These factors include:

  • How much loss or damage was done to victims
  • Whether or not the defendant used a weapon when committing the crime
  • How old and/or how powerless the victim was at the time of the crime
  • The defendants record of criminal offenses

These guidelines are intended to limit the subjectivity of judges in the sentencing process and also make it more difficult for prosecutors to offer plea bargains. Judges in federal cases have lifetime appointments, and their dockets aren’t nearly as crowded as the dockets of judges handling crimes at the state level. This level of attention means that federal crime court proceedings tend to be more intense and carefully investigated. Due to the strictness and harshness of federal crime sentencing, it is essential to have a competent and aggressive attorney on your side.

If You Have Been Charged with a Crime in Federal Court, Contact Our Defense Attorneys

If you have been arrested for a federal crime in Ventura, call our team for a criminal defense attorney that you can trust. We have the training and history of success to handle your case at the federal level and achieve a satisfactory result. Our team includes a lawyer who has a 10 out of 10 “Superb” Avvo Rating and has been included in the list of Super Lawyers ®.

We always meet with our potential clients during a free, initial case evaluation. At this meeting, we will be honest with you and let you know if we think we can be of help to you in your case. If we can, we will use our team of investigators to work on your case and will do everything we can to act in your best interests. Call us today to learn more!

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