If you have been arrested or are under investigation by a local or state police department, you will most likely be prosecuted in a State court. State crimes are violations of State and local statutes or ordinances. They are prosecuted in either Municipal or Superior Courts in the county in which the charges are filed, by either City Attorneys or District Attorneys. Typical examples of State crimes include:

• Murder

• Embezzlement

• Rape

• Child Abuse/Molestation

• Fraud

• Sex Crimes

• Drug Transportation

• Drug Sales/Distribution

• Domestic Violence

• Assault and Battery

• Robbery/Theft

• Controlled Substance Possession

• Driving Under the Influence

If one is arrested by federal authorities and taken to a federal detention center, the likelihood is that the case will be handled in federal court. There are numerous types of federal criminal offenses that fall under the category of "Federal Crimes", which include:

• Smuggling Controlled Substances

• Internet Crimes

• Large Quantity Narcotic Conspiracy Cases

• Bank Robbery and Bank Fraud

• Pornography Cases

• Mail Fraud/Theft from the Mail

• Bribery of Public Officials

• Crimes Committed on Federal Land

• Interstate Crimes

In federal court, both the United States Code and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines control sentencing. Under the Guidelines, a federal judge is required to sentence according to a formula, which is a combination of the offense of conviction and the defendant's criminal history.

Once the defendant is convicted and the prior record is determined, the judge uses a chart to determine the sentence that must be imposed. Since there are only a few ways to get a downward departure from sentencing guidelines, it is imperative that you are represented by an experienced State and Federal criminal defense lawyer who is thoroughly familiar with federal criminal court procedures.

At Cohen Battisti, we vigorously represent the rights of individuals charged with State or Federal Charges and other types of Criminal Defense Cases.

Contact Cohen Battisti at (407) 478-4878 to schedule a confidential consultation regarding your State or Federal Charge Criminal Defense legal issues.