Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C.

Defending Federal Charges

When you are facing federal criminal charges, it is important to hire a New York City federal criminal defense lawyer with experience defending these cases. Unlike state-level crimes, federal crimes can carry serious penalties with the potential to ruin someone’s life. Federal prosecutors typically have more resources to build their case and are very aggressive in seeking convictions. Having a criminal defense attorney with experience in federal prosecution will significantly improve your chances of avoiding or getting reduced charges.

The federal government prosecutes many different types of offenses including drug trafficking, firearms offenses, money laundering, immigration violations, and many other serious matters. As a federal criminal defense lawyer in New York, it's crucial to be familiar with the busy landscape of FBI and DEA investigations and federal prosecutions in the city, especially in cases involving white-collar crime and financial crime on Wall Street.

Federal prosecutors have a lot of discretion in which cases they pursue and often make decisions based on their confidence that they can win. A skilled federal criminal defense lawyer in NY can be critical in these situations, offering expertise and guidance as soon as you have been charged with a federal crime.

A skilled NY federal criminal defense lawyer will be able to examine the evidence in your case, find holes in the government’s case, and create a strong plan for fighting your charges. Their experience and aggressive approach are vital in standing up to law enforcement and protecting your rights.

When defending federal crimes, a NY federal criminal defense lawyer must consider the possibility of conspiracy charges. Conspiracy, the agreement between multiple people to commit a federal offense, usually carries the same penalties as the underlying crime. Our lawyer has extensive experience in defending against such charges, often leading to acquittals or reduced charges for our clients.

If you are in need of a New York criminal defense attorney to represent you in a federal matter, our attorneys have the requisite experience in federal court. Understanding the complexities of federal rules and procedures, they have successfully defended numerous clients against federal drug offenses, weapons offenses, and fraud charges, aiming to achieve the best possible result for each case.


Federal Case Appeals NY

The Committee has amended Rule 4(a)(1) to clarify that an appeal in a federal case must be filed within 30 days after entry of the judgment or order appealed from. This amendment is vital for a federal criminal defense lawyer to understand, as it is consistent with the other changes made to this rule during the restyling project. The Committee has also added two safe harbors allowing a longer period for an appeal to be filed, which is crucial information for any federal criminal defense lawyer handling appeals.

One safe harbor applies if a current or former United States officer or employee, represented by the United States or having their appeal filed by the United States, is sued in their individual capacity for acts performed on the United States’ behalf. This is particularly relevant for a federal criminal defense lawyer representing such individuals.

A second safe harbor is for appellants prevented from timely filing due to an act of God, natural disaster, or other emergencies. A federal criminal defense lawyer must be aware that in these cases, the district court may extend the filing time upon showing excusable neglect or good cause. This extension must be requested before the expiration of the original filing period.

The last change addresses ambiguities regarding the suspension of the appeal time in criminal cases due to post-trial motions. It is important for a federal criminal defense lawyer to note that the time for filing an appeal in a criminal case is not suspended by any such motion. Additionally, the Committee has clarified the timeline for filing cross-appeals in civil cases involving institutionalized persons.

Finally, the Committee has capped the number of days a district court can extend a judgment or order for an appeal to be filed. This decision impacts how a federal criminal defense lawyer advises clients on appeal deadlines. The cap of 150 days balances the need for a consistent signal of finality and appealability with the courts’ need to avoid appeal delays.


NY Federal Plea Bargaining Strategies

For many, the role of federal prosecutors in plea bargaining, often managed by a federal criminal defense lawyer, is seen as problematic due to their sweeping discretion. This can result in more favorable terms for defendants compared to trial outcomes, contributing to high incarceration rates. There's a growing call for reform, with a focus on making plea bargaining more transparent and accountable, a crucial aspect of a federal criminal defense lawyer.

One issue with the current system is the perception of plea deals as private agreements between prosecutors and defense attorneys. However, a plea deal requires a judge's approval, making the process more complex. It's essential for defendants, alongside their federal criminal defense lawyer, to thoroughly discuss all potential outcomes, including evidence strength, potential penalties, and personal and professional impact.

A defendant’s background, including charitable work or public service, can influence plea negotiations, an area where a skilled federal criminal defense lawyer can provide significant assistance. Similarly, a clean criminal record can enhance a defendant's plea bargaining position, an aspect often leveraged by an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer.

In white-collar cases in NY, federal criminal defense lawyer often highlight mitigating factors to reduce penalties. Defendants might demonstrate minimal involvement or efforts to prevent others from benefiting from the crime, strategies often employed by federal criminal defense lawyer.

Local legal culture and prosecutors' approaches also affect plea bargaining, especially in districts like New York where judges may have varying stances on white-collar fraud. A federal criminal defense lawyer must research a judge’s sentencing history and identify weaknesses in the government’s case, leveraging these to negotiate lesser charges or reduced sentences.

While solving the complexities of plea bargaining is challenging, various solutions could enhance accountability. These include recording all agreements and ensuring judges are fully informed about plea deals. Additionally, reforms in sentencing guidelines to consider a defendant’s past conduct more significantly could improve judicial integrity, a goal that federal criminal defense lawyer often strive towards.


Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C.

Law Offices of Jason Bassett, P.C. | Criminal Attorney and DWI Lawyer

320 Carleton Ave Suite 4200, Central Islip, NY 11722, United States

(631) 259-6060