Camden Federal Criminal Lawyer

If you find yourself charged or threatened with a crime, there are numerous factors that come into play that will determine where, when or how your case will be brought. Many times, specific criminal conduct can be charged by both the state and federal prosecuting authorities Facing federal criminal charges can be confusing, sometimes even more so than crimes charged at the state level, and it is wise to a professional on your side who has experience in federal matters and understands the gravity of your situation. When facing federal criminal charges, a Camden federal criminal lawyer is essential.

At LGR Law, LLC, founding attorney Lorraine Gauli-Rufo has over 30 years of experience defending those who face criminal charges at the federal level. She takes an active interest in the protection of your rights, future, and freedom and will do everything in her power to make sure you get the absolute best representation available. That could mean obtaining reduced charges, the lowest possible sentence, or a dismissal of your case altogether. When you retain LGR Law, LLC, you gain confidence knowing you have the right team of legal professionals fighting for you.

If you are informed that you are under investigation for any federal crime, such as drug possession, racketeering, healthcare fraud or wire fraud, you should contact a federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible, so they can begin immediately to protect your rights. At LGR Law, LLC, Ms. Gauli-Rufo and her team will begin to work for you before charges are even filed. In some situations, they may be able keep charges from being filed altogether.

Understanding State vs. Federal Cases

When facing federal criminal charges, it can be helpful to understand the difference between federal charges and those brought at the state level in order to better obtain knowledge on the gravity of your situation, but also on how to correctly proceed with legal action to defend against these charges. While there are many similarities between federal and state criminal charges — there are also several significant differences, including the following:

• The physical courts.
  • State criminal cases in New Jersey are most often tried in the Superior Court or in the Municipal Courts. The Municipal Courts tend to handle cases that involve misdemeanor crimes such as disorderly conduct. These are typically crimes for which you cannot go to jail for more than a year. The criminal matters brought in the Superior Courts throughout New Jersey are typically for felony offenses – those crimes for which you can go to jail for more than a year. Federal criminal cases, however, are brought in the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey. The Federal District Court of New Jersey has three federal courthouses which we call “vicinages” –they are located in Newark, Trenton and Camden.

• Criminal procedures.
  • The criminal procedures involved in filing state and federal criminal charges are extremely similar. They both begin with the filing of a criminal complaint or an indictment. A criminal complaint is a sworn statement from a police officer or a federal agent attesting to the charges. An indictment is a formal document returned by a grand jury, that determines there is probable cause to charge someone with certain crimes.

• The prosecutors.
  • In state cases, the criminal cases are handled by prosecutors who work at a specific County Prosecutor’s Office. In federal criminal cases, the government is represented by Assistant United States Attorneys, who operate under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice also known as the DOJ.

• The charges.
  • Crimes brought in state court involve charges regulated by New Jersey Statutes. Crimes charged in federal courts involve allegations of violations of statutes codified in the United States Code, also referred to as the “USC.” Some charges in state and federal court are virtually identical – and because of the doctrine of “dual sovereignty,” such charges can be brought in state or federal court, and sometimes in both. This implicates some concerns regarding primary jurisdiction and “double jeopardy,” which are matters that an experienced federal criminal Camden attorney like Lorraine Gauli-Rufo are very familiar with.

• The sentences.
  • Sentences and penalties for various crimes can vary, sometimes dramatically between the federal and state levels. Many federal crimes have extremely harsh penalties and fines. Thus, hiring a law firm such as LGR Law, LLC that has vast experience in navigating all of the nuances of federal criminal defense, including the sentencing phases, is extremely important.

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Defining Federal Crimes in Camden, New Jersey

There is a large list of crimes that can be charged at the federal level in Camden, New Jersey. LGR Law, LLC has three decades of experience in assisting clients charged with virtually all federal crimes. Some of the common federal crimes that are brought include the following:

• Wire fraud is a charge that can arise when an individual is alleged to use cell phones, phone lines, faxes, or the internet to operate under a false pretense, resulting in the loss of property for a victim. Communication modes such as text messages, emails, websites, social media posts, or phone calls are all examples of ways in which wire fraud can be committed in the United States.
• Mail fraud is a charge that can arise when an individual or entity is alleged to use the U.S. Postal Service (or other private mail carriers) to commit fraud or operate under a false pretense to gain property from a victim. The penalties for a successful mail fraud conviction can be serious, including prison time and substantial fines.
• Counterfeiting is a federal crime that occurs when an individual or entity is allegedly guilty of creating, distributing, or spending false monetary funds, such as cash, or false securities, such as reserve notes, treasury notes, or bonds. It is also illegal to own or possess any tools that can be used in the act of counterfeiting, such as counterfeiting images or plates used to make false cash.
• Money laundering is a charge that can arise when an individual or business is allegedly guilty of taking illegal money or money obtained through illegal means and making it appear legitimate. This can be done by passing the money through a series of complicated bank transactions or by making many small monetary transactions across a series of accounts to avoid federal requirements for reporting the gain. Money laundering charges are frequently brought with other charges including drug and fraud allegations.
• Conspiracy is a charge that can arise when two or more individuals agree to commit a federal crime together. Common federal crimes that can lead to charges of conspiracy include drug trafficking, money laundering, wire fraud, mail fraud and healthcare fraud.
• Drug crimes. Federal drug crimes include the possession, distribution and/or manufacturing of illegal drugs. The penalties involved in these cases will typically depend on the nature of the crime, the kind of drug involved in the crime, and the amount involved. Drugs are broken down into the following five categories, or schedules, and can have varying penalties involved:
  • Schedule I drugs. Heroin, LSD, ecstasy, marijuana, GHB, peyote, or quaaludes.
  • Schedule II drugs. Cocaine, PCP, Oxycontin, fentanyl, Adderall, Ritalin, methadone, Vicodin, Dexedrine, and methamphetamine.
  • Schedule III drugs. Ketamine, testosterone, anabolic steroids, or products that contain lesser amounts of codeine, such as prescription Tylenol.
  • Schedule IV drugs. Ativan, Valium, Ambien, tramadol, or Xanax.
  • Schedule V drugs. Lyrica, Lomotil, Motofen, or Robitussin AC.

FAQs

Facing Federal Criminal Charges? Contact LGR Law, LLC Today

If you find yourself threatened or accused of a federal crime in Camden, New Jersey, you should know that you do not have to and should not face this legal situation on your own. The skilled defense attorneys at LGR Law, LLC and their legal team can help you to protect your rights and freedom.

Contact the Camden office today to learn more information on how Lorraine Gauli-Rufo and her legal team can assist you and to schedule your initial consultation.