Federal Crimes

Spokane Federal Crimes Defense Lawyer

Many different types of crimes can be charged as federal offenses, ranging from drug charges, to Internet sex crimes, to white-collar crimes such as tax fraud and identity theft. Any crime that is charged in federal court is subject to much stricter penalties than in state court. While federal judges are no longer technically required to following mandatory sentencing guidelines, most still do. This means that if you are sentenced to five years in federal prison, you will have to serve the entire five years. The federal prison system also does not offer the possibility of early parole.

My name is Christian Phelps, and I am a criminal defense lawyer in Spokane, Washington. I have significant federal court experience and over the last 10 years have handled federal charges in both the Eastern and Western districts of Washington State.

Many charges can be prosecuted in either state or federal court. Law enforcement agents often prefer to file charges in federal court whenever possible. The federal rules of evidence are somewhat less stringent than the rules in Washington state courts, allowing for easier prosecution. Federal sentencing guidelines also provide increased penalties for drug crimes, child pornography, and other charges.

The defense in a federal case often depends on the strength of the government's evidence. My goal in any federal case is to provide the softest landing possible for you. If you are under investigation for a federal crime and have not yet been charged, an experienced defense lawyer can negotiate with prosecutors to have your charges brought in state court rather than federal court. This negotiation is referred to as a "charge bargain."

Contact us for your free consultation: if you are facing federal criminal charges in Washington or Oregon, DON'T talk to police or anyone else until you have talked with Spokane criminal defense attorney Christian Phelps.