San Diego Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
San Diego's federal criminal landscape is unique, with a significant focus on drug-related cases due to its proximity to the border. This results in a high volume of drug trafficking, leading to a distinct set of legal challenges.
I would say, in general, that the federal and even the state courts are conservative, so they will be tough on crime. But if you have a drug-related offense, they have something they call a fast-track, which means that you can get four levels off your sentence by way of a departure for resolving your case quickly.
Of course, specific rules are attached to that, but interestingly, a jurisdiction very close to San Diego — Los Angeles — does not have that same fast-track ability, especially in a drug crime charge. The reason they are doing that is they have so many drugs moving through the border that if they don't do that, their cases are just going to get stacked up. So, you can get that fast track by acting quickly.
Of course, they're going to have to prove the case against you before you're going to agree to any fast-track and a resolution in the case.
That's where you want to sit down with your federal criminal defense attorney, talk about the jurisdiction in San Diego where your case is pending, and make an informed decision as to whether or not you're going to try and work out a plea negotiation or file some motion in one of the San Diego federal courts or fight the case at the jury trial level and try to get a not-guilty verdict.
Experienced Federal Defense Lawyer
So, suppose you have a San Diego federal criminal defense case. In that case, you're going to want to talk to somebody who has experience with these courts, knows how the prosecutors deal with the cases, knows how the judges are typically sentenced on a particular type of charge that you're charged with, and who also knows how to evaluate whether you've got a good motion that you might be able to file in your San Diego federal case that could either put you in a better position — charge-wise — or even get the case dismissed outright.
It's obviously not easy to win a motion at the federal criminal level because prosecutors are usually smart enough to know not to file a case with built-in problems.
Sometimes, though, there are cases where you have a gray area, and you can't tell whether you might win a motion. In such circumstances, thorough research and preparation are key. Obviously, in that circumstance, you're going to want to file it and prosecute it, and many times, there are built-in weaknesses that the prosecutors simply don't see in the federal case. So, do your homework and research to ensure you're fully informed and prepared.
Attorney, You Are Comfortable With
What you're also looking for is to talk to your attorney. Get a look at him. I put videos on my websites because I want people to see who I am, what I have to say, and what type of person I am.
This is important for choosing a federal criminal attorney in San Diego. You should feel comfortable with your attorney, respect them, and find them knowledgeable and likable. They're the ones who are going to be dealing with the prosecutor and judge in your case, so feeling comfortable with them will likely translate to the judge and the prosecutor, and even the jury if your case ends up going to trial.
So, take the initiative. Make the call now. We can do a consultation over the phone with you if you have a case pending in one of the San Diego federal courts, or we can set up a face-to-face meeting and get down to the nitty-gritty as to exactly how your federal case should be handled and what type of strategy should be employed. This way, you can take control of your case early on, ensuring the best possible result.
