Top Fargo, ND Federal Criminal Law Lawyers Near You
Federal Criminal Law Lawyers | Grand Rapids Office | Serving Nationwide
Our nationwide team of defense lawyers includes a former U.S. Attorney, four former Federal Prosecutors, two former FBI agents and two former Army JAGS.
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Federal Criminal Law Lawyers | Fargo Office
210 Broadway North, Suite 401D, Fargo, ND 58102
Federal Criminal Law Lawyers | Fargo Office
51 Broadway, Suite 400, Fargo, ND 58102-4970
Fargo Federal Criminal Law Information
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Lead Counsel independently verifies Federal Criminal Law attorneys in Fargo and checks their standing with North Dakota bar associations.
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Ample Experience Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.
Good Standing Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.
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Find a Federal Criminal Law Attorney near Fargo
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 Fargo federal criminal law lawyer.
Different Types of Federal Criminal Law Charges
Federal crimes are any acts considered illegal under a federal law applicable to all fifty states. This means these criminal offenses are prosecuted under federal law as opposed to state law or the local laws in your jurisdiction. Typically, there are two categories of federal criminal charges:
- Felonies are the most serious offenses and may result in longer prison sentences or life without possibility of parole, or sometimes even capital punishment.
- Misdemeanors are less serious offenses but may still lead to imprisonment.
Some common federal criminal offenses include tax evasion, bank robbery, counterfeiting, kidnapping, and many other crimes. Another common type of federal criminal charge may involve crossing state lines while conducting illegal activity.
What Are The Penalties For Federal Criminal Offenses?
Breaking any law is a serious matter, but breaking a federal law could lead you to stiffer penalties and incarceration in federal prison. Federal criminal charges are defined by federal statutes and typically come with specific minimums and maximum sentencing requirements if convicted. Having a prior criminal history may automatically elevate these penalties.
The exact penalties you may be facing depend on the charges being brought against you. The federal prosecutors bringing the charges against you usually have some latitude when determining what charges to bring or deciding what punishment to ask for as well.
What Is A Federal Criminal Attorney?
A federal criminal law attorney can help you build your defense, no matter that severity of the charge. These attorneys understand not only how criminal defense works, but the complexities of dealing with a criminal charge at the federal level. Being charged with a crime does not automatically mean you are guilty of a crime, so federal criminal defense attorneys can help ensure your rights are protected during each step of the federal criminal court system.
How Can A Federal Criminal Attorney Help Me?
Your attorney can answer any questions you have about your charges and estimate a timeline of your process. Defense attorneys can handle procedural matters like challenging your arrest or evidence obtained by law enforcement if unlawful, and take care of any court filings or other required documentation as well. Federal criminal law attorneys can appear with you at court from your first hearing all the way through to your trial to ensure the process is fair and your rights are protected.
How Much Does A Federal Criminal Law Attorney Charge?
A reputable attorney will be upfront and transparent about their legal fees. When dealing with criminal law matters, most defense attorneys bill clients by the hour. For less complex issues, a federal criminal defense attorney in North Dakota may charge you a flat fee to handle a legal matter.
It is common for criminal defense attorneys to offer free initial consultations to learn about the facts of your case and discuss your legal issue in person. At this consultation, the attorney can let you know about the possible outcomes for your situation and discuss their fees for handling the matter for you. Some attorneys may offer a retainer fee or a down payment upfront in order to begin their work as well. A number of attorneys offer payment plans so that you can afford quality legal services.
When to Hire a Lawyer
It is in your best interest to get legal help early on in addressing your situation. There are times when hiring a lawyer quickly is critical to your case, such as if you are charged with a crime. It may also be in your best interest to have a lawyer review the fine print before signing legal documents. A lawyer can also help you get the compensation you deserve if you’ve suffered a serious injury. For issues where money or property is at stake, having a lawyer guide you through the complexities of the legal system can save you time, hassle, and possibly a lot of grief in the long run.
Tips on Approaching an Initial Attorney Consultation
- Use the consultation as a means of gaining a better understanding of your legal situation.
- Ask the attorney how many cases similar to yours he/she has handled. An attorney’s experience and knowledge can speak to their expertise (or lack of) in addressing your situation.
- Your attorney should be able to articulate roughly how long a case like yours will take to resolve and what sort of procedures to expect.
- Determine how comfortable you are working with the lawyer and/or law firm.
Types of legal fees:
Bill by the hour: Many attorneys bill by the hour. How much an attorney bills you per hour will vary based on a number of factors. For instance, an attorney’s hourly fee may fluctuate based on whether that hour is spent representing you in court or doing research on your case. Attorneys in one practice area may bill you more than attorneys in a different practice area.
Contingent fee: Some lawyers will accept payment via contingent fee. In this arrangement, the lawyer receives a percentage of the total monetary recovery if you win your lawsuit. In sum, the lawyer only gets paid if you win. Contingent fee agreements are limited to specific practice areas in civil law.
Flat fee: For “routine” legal work where the attorney generally knows the amount of time and resources necessary to complete the task, he/she may be willing to bill you a flat fee for services performed.
Common legal terms explained
Pro se – This Latin term refers to representing yourself in court instead of hiring professional legal counsel. Pro se representation can occur in either criminal or civil cases.
Statute – Refers to a law created by a legislative body. For example, the laws enacted by Congress are statutes.
Subject matter jurisdiction – Requirement that a particular court have authority to hear the claim based on the specific type of issue brought to the court. For example, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court only has subject matter jurisdiction over bankruptcy filings, therefore it does not have the authority to render binding judgment over other types of cases, such as divorce.