Top Fairhaven, MA Federal Criminal Law Lawyers Near You

Are You Facing Federal Criminal Charges?

A federal criminal conviction can mean severe fines and federal prison time, depending on the crime in question. If you are being investigated or have been charged with a federal criminal offense, you will want to retain a skilled Fairhaven federal criminal law lawyer.

Different Types of Federal Criminal Law Charges

Federal crimes are any acts considered illegal by a federal law and are prosecuted under federal law, not state law. Breaking any law is not good, but breaking a federal law could lead you to stiffer penalties and incarceration.

A federal criminal law attorney can help you build your defense, no matter that severity of the charge. Federal crimes include tax evasion, bank robbery, counterfeiting, kidnapping and many other crimes.

Top Questions to Ask When Hiring an Attorney

• How many years have you been practicing law? How long have you practiced law in the local area?
• How many cases similar to mine have you handled in the past?
• What is the likely outcome for my case?

In legal practice, experience matters. An experienced attorney will likely have handled issues similar to yours many, many times. Therefore, after listening to your situation, the attorney should have a reasonable idea of the time line for a case like yours and the likely resolution.

The Importance of a Good Consultation

The goal of an initial consultation is to find an attorney you are comfortable working with and someone who can help you understand your options under the law. Seek to understand the relevant legal experience the attorney brings to your case. While it is not realistic to expect an attorney to resolve your legal issue during an initial consultation, you should gain a level of comfort with his/her ability to do so. A good consultation can clarify issues, raise pertinent questions and considerations for your case, and help you make an informed decision towards resolving your legal issue.

How to Find the Right Attorney

• Determine the area of law that relates to your issue. Attorneys specialize in specific practice areas around legal issues within the broad field of law.
• Seek out recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. A successful attorney or practice will typically have many satisfied clients.
• Set up consultation appointments to get a better understanding of your case as well as gauge your comfort level with different attorneys. Find the attorney who is the right fit for your needs.

Common legal terms explained

Personal jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority over a person, in order to bind that person to the judgment of the court, based on minimum contacts. International Shoe Co v. Washington is a landmark Supreme Court case outlining the scope of a state court’s reach in personal jurisdiction.