Federal Crimes
» Print This PageFederal Crimes: Federal Law and the Federal Criminal Justice System
There are two sets of criminal laws that Texas criminal defense lawyers deal with in practicing criminal defense law in Dallas and elsewhere in the Lone Star State: the system of criminal laws passed by the Texas Legislature and created by Texas courts (many of which are found in the Texas Penal Code) and the separate set of criminal statutes, rules, regulations, and case law that applies to activity in Texas under the federal system.
Federal Crimes Can Lead to Incarceration in Federal Prison Facility
Federal crimes are independent allegations from Texas’ state charges. Federal crimes come with their own definitions (most are found in Title 18 of the United States Code) and with their own punishments. For example, federal defendants convicted of charges will face sentencing before a federal judge who will refer to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines in deciding how long the person will be sentenced to time in prison and how much, if any, he or she will have to pay in fines and restitution.
After sentencing, federal defendants will serve their sentence in federal prison facilities which are totally independent from the Texas state prison system; in Texas, this will mean incarceration in one of the United States Bureau of Prisons following facilities in its South Central Region:
- United States Penitentiary (Beaumont)
- Federal Correctional Institutions
- Federal Prison Camps
- Federal Administrative Facilities
- Federal Correctional Complexes
Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers in Texas: the Federal Bar for Defending Federal Crimes
In the State of Texas, there are four federal districts where criminal trials are held and where Assistant United States Attorneys to the Attorney General of the United States act as prosecutors for the federal government in everything from seeking Grand Jury Indictments to trying criminal cases and responding to appeals made for trial errors (and other mistakes) by convicted defendants to the reviewing courts. In Texas, the court that reviews the actions taken by the four district courts is the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, based in New Orleans, Louisiana
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Criminal lawyers must apply for and be approved to practice in each federal district court. These are separate from the State Bar of Texas, where all lawyers licensed to practice Texas law in the State of Texas must be approved and licensed. Some attorneys, like Michael Lowe, are also Board Certified in a specific area of the law by the State Bar of Texas: Mr. Lowe is one of only 91 attorneys in the city of Dallas, Texas to be board certified in criminal law by the Texas Bar, for example. There is no analogous board certification offered by the Federal Bar.
Federal Courts in Texas:
- Eastern District of Texas (Divisions: Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Sherman, Texarkana, Tyler)
- Northern District of Texas (Divisions: Dallas, Ft. Worth, Amarillo, Abilene, Lubbock, San Angelo, Wichita Falls)
- Southern District of Texas (Divisions: Brownsville, McAllen, Laredo, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Galveston, Houston)
- Western District of Texas (Divisions: Austin, Del Rio, El Paso, Midland-Odessa, Pecos, San Antonio, Waco)
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Defending Against Federal Charges in Texas
Criminal lawyers must be prepared to defend clients against charges brought against them under either state law or federal statute. More and more, federal charges are being pursued against people in Texas and around the country and criminal defense lawyers in Dallas, Fort Worth and the surrounding areas are finding more federal arrests and federal investigations for the following Federal Crimes:
- Identity Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Possession and Distribution of Child Pornography
- Conspiracy to Distribute Controlled Substances
- Financial Structuring to Avoid Cash Reporting
- Wire Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Health Care Fraud
- Fraud – Felony Charge
- Embezzlement
- Credit Card Fraud
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer Practicing in Federal Courts across the State of Texas
As a former prosecutor turned criminal defense lawyer with over 150 jury trials defending clients against charges brought by district attorneys and U.S. federal prosecutors in Dallas County, Tarrant County, and elsewhere in the State of Texas, Board Certified Criminal Lawyer Michael Lowe not only brings his years of experience to each case, he also dedicates 100% of his law practice to the defense of those being accused of a crime under Texas or federal law.
With a streamlined law firm that coordinates its efforts to give each client the personal attention that they need and deserve when fighting against the government and the possibility of jail time, fines, permanent marks on public records, prison incarceration, loss of licensure, loss of jobs, absence from family events and everyday living, Michael Lowe maintains an efficient and excellent criminal trial practice that is ready to help you or your loved ones in your defense against criminal charges from pre-arrest investigation to post-trial appeals.
To discuss your case in a free and completely confidential consultation, please contact Dallas Board Certified Criminal Lawyer Michael Lowe today.