Minnesota Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
There are certain crimes that are charged in Federal rather than State Court. These include, but are not limited to, interstate drug trafficking, wire and mail fraud, tax evasion and fraud, embezzlement and other financial crimes. The process of defending an individual in federal court is quite different than in state court. The procedures are different, the degrees of criminal behavior are different, and the sentencing process, including the length of incarceration, are vastly different. That is why you need an experienced Minnesota federal defense attorney representing you.
Carson Heefner has over 20 years of experience in criminal defense, representing clients charged at the state and federal levels. If you or someone you know has been charged in federal court, Carson can help.
The “Holder” Memo
In the late 2000’s, the United States Attorney General wrote what is widely called the “Holder Memo”. Prior to this memo, the United States Attorney offices around the country, and Federal Judges were not given much discretion in charging and sentencing decisions. The standard operating procedure was to charge the most serious offenses, and request sentences consistent with the harsh and archaic Federal Sentencing Guidelines. However, the “Holder Memo” changed all of that. It gave wider discretion in charging and gave federal judges far more discretion in imposing sentences. Undoubtedly this made defending those accused of federal criminal conduct easier and less rigid.
Recently, Attorney General Sessions essentially revoked the “Holder Memo”, and has ordered all United States Attorney’s offices to prosecute and sentence to the fullest extent of federal law. This means that when charged with a federal crime, a highly aggressive federal defense attorney is needed to handle the case.
Fighting For Your Rights And Future
Carson will not wait until you are formally charged with a crime in Federal Court. Early intervention by a Minneapolis federal defense attorney is often the key to a proper defense. It allows a defense lawyer to get a head start on the government which, in turn, provides more time to investigate the offense, interview witnesses and research all legal options. In addition, early intervention can be important in the negotiation of a plea agreement. If a plea agreement can be reached prior to an indictment, the terms will more often be more favorable than after indictment.
Contact A Minnesota Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with a federal crime, the consequences can be more serious than at the state level. This means you need an experienced federal defense attorney helping you every step of the way. To learn more about how Carson can help you, contact him at 612-202-8971 or carson@heefnerlaw.com for a free consultation.