Federal convictions can often be far more serious

Crime is taken very seriously in South Carolina and officers are extremely dedicated to tracking down offenders and seeing that they are held accountable for their actions. Unfortunately, this can mean that innocent people occasionally come under suspicion as investigators work to get to the bottom of a crime. However, you are considered innocent unless proven guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. So if this happens to you, all is not lost.

A good defense is critical in these situations as penalties can often involve hefty fines or even prison sentences, depending on the nature and severity of the offense. Other punishments can include community service or revocation of professional and driver’s licenses. To make things worse, if the crime is dealt with on a federal level, the penalties can be even more severe, although this is not always the case.

As you probably know, the difference between federal and state charges is that each state has its own set of laws, which may or may not agree with the federal statutes. However, federal law governs the entire country. A crime is more likely to be tried on a federal level if it involves a breach of the U.S. Constitution. When a case involves federal law, it may only be tried at the federal level. However, when a case could fall under either state or federal jurisdiction, it could be tried at either form of court.

If you are faced with criminal charges, federal or otherwise, you may benefit from the support of an attorney. He or she can explain the charges you face and may be able to assist you with building your defense. You may also benefit from a visit to our page on federal crimes. With the right support you may be able to negotiate a plea deal or even avoid conviction altogether.