What to Know Before Hiring Federal Lawyers: Boston, MA

If you are facing federal charges, then you need the help of a lawyer with experience in the federal court. Boston, MA is served by The Law Offices of Keren Goldenberg

Most criminal cases involve violations of state laws and are heard in state court. When a person is charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office of violating federal law, the accused has the added misfortune of being prosecuted in federal court. While county District Attorney’s Offices tend to prosecute whatever the local and state police departments bring in on arrest, U.S. Attorney’s Offices and federal investigators pick and choose which offenses warrant their attention and considerable resources. Presently a high amount of energy is put into the prosecutions of “illegal reentry” cases (people who have been deported or removed from the US who have reentered illegally.) In Boston, most federal cases involve the sale of drugs and guns.

Some acts are crimes at both the state and federal level, and are best suited for the attention of federal lawyers. Boston, MA residents must understand this. Here is an example: A person selling drugs in Boston could himself charged with distribution or trafficking in the Boston Municipal Court or Suffolk Superior Court, but could also be charged as part of a drug conspiracy in federal court. While drug distribution sentences in MA state courts are harsh, they pale in comparison to their federal counterpart. Do not assume that just because someone is charged with drug crimes in federal court that s/he is a serious offender. Federal investigations often sweep up minor players with the hope that those individuals will provide information against those with leadership roles in the conspiracy. While there are considerably more illegal acts under state law than under federal law, there are some crimes that exist in federal court that do not have a MA state court counterpart. Among them are mail fraud and tax evasion. A less obvious and known example is cyberstalking which has been criminalized by a federal statute but there isn’t a specific state level equivalent (although the offender could face charges such as criminal harassment.)

Related Links:

• One day federal prison sentence for drug conspiracy
• Motion to reduce federal sentence under new law allowed
• Keren Goldenberg lectures on sentencing considerations that will minimize enhancements in federal court

If you or someone you care about is facing federal charges, or may be under investigation by federal authorities, it is critical to have an attorney experienced in the federal court. The process, rules of evidence, and rules of engagement are dramatically different than in state court. As a member of the prestigious Criminal Justice Act panel for the United States District Court in Boston, I am one of the highly-experienced federal lawyers. Boston, MA residents can count on my professional criminal defense. Please contact me for assistance with your federal case.