A federal charge is a serious matter with potentially life-changing consequences. The punishments for such offenses are often severe, while the mark on your record can be detrimental to both your personal and professional life. Furthermore, the prosecution in such cases can gain substantial leverage from federal sentencing guidelines.

Many federal charges fall into the category of white collar crimes. These tend to involve offenses such as money laundering or fraud. Unfortunately, the broad nature of such crimes can sometimes result in people coming under false suspicion. It can be hard to pin down a white collar crime, so authorities are constantly on the lookout for suspicious behavior, particularly from those in positions of power.

We saw recently how uncertainty over whether an official’s trip was private or public in nature brought him under suspicion. Even a slight mistake can be incriminating, so you could find yourself facing charges even without realizing that you had done anything wrong. Even without a conviction, this can permanently damage your reputation, so it can be essential to act quickly.

Being accused of a white collar crime is not something to be taken lightly and you may find yourself wondering where to turn. It may take months for a case to be built against you, but this does not mean you should delay formulating your defense. This time can be used to explore means of combating the allegations against you. With the right guidance, it may be possible to convince the federal government not to bring charges.

This can be a lot to think about, especially when under the stress of a criminal investigation. However, an experienced defense attorney may be able to provide you with some of the answers you seek. By understanding your options, you may feel better armed to confront the allegations and potential charges you face.

For further information on the topic of federal charges, see our federal criminal defense page.