What to Do if You Are Charged with a Federal Crime in Long Island

What to Do if Charged with a Federal Crime in Long Island

Oh boy, getting charged with a federal crime is no joke. As someone living on Long Island, I definitely didn’t think this would ever happen to me. But here we are.

Where do I even start? I’m feeling overwhelmed and scared about what comes next. I have so many questions racing through my mind. Will I go to prison? How much will a lawyer cost? What’s the process for fighting this? Man oh man, maybe I should’ve thought twice before [insert alleged crime here]. Hindsight is 20/20 I guess.

Anyway, I know I need to get smart on the legal process quick. After freaking out for a solid half hour, I decided to do some Googling around to understand the basics. Here’s what I’ve learned so far about dealing with federal charges in my area.

First Things First – Know Your Charges

The first thing my internet searching taught me is that I need to get very clear on exactly what I’ve been charged with. The federal statutes are no joke and each charge will have specific penalties I could be facing.

Lucky me, the Eastern District Court of New York handles all the federal cases that come up on Long Island. On their website, they nicely summarize the different types of federal crimes they prosecute. I’ll be checking to see exactly what category my charges fall under – fraud? immigration? firearms? criminal enterprises? terrorism? Yikes, there’s quite a variety.

Getting The Right Lawyer

Okay, knowing my charges is important but I can’t make heads or tails of this legal mumbo jumbo. I need professional help big time.

Based on the wisdom of the internet, getting an experienced federal defense attorney needs to be my top priority right now. Apparently fighting federal charges isn’t like dealing with state crimes. The federal system has its own rules and complexities I won’t be able to navigate alone.

Luckily, there seem to be quite a few law firms and lawyers in my area that specialize in federal cases. A few names that kept popping up in my searches were – Law Office of B. Alan Seidler, Mehler Law PLLC, and Law Offices of Thomas F. Liotti. I’ll be setting up consultations with a few firms on this list to understand my options.

And let me tell ya, I almost fainted looking at what top federal defense lawyers cost. We’re talking $10,000+ retainers in many cases. Yowza! But from what I read, seems the old saying “you get what you pay for” really applies here. An experienced federal lawyer is supposed to have a much better chance at getting charges reduced or even dismissed. So as much as it pains me, shelling out the big bucks for the best representation seems wise.

Getting My Story Straight

Once I pick my lawyer, it sounds like I’ll need to spend A LOT of time getting them fully up to speed on my case. Federal cases often come down to the specific details and evidence around what happened.

I’ll need to walk through everything from start to finish with my attorney – what led up to the charges being filed, my full side of the story, any evidence there is against me, people that were involved or witnessed things. Leaving out even small details could really screw me over later.

And even if I think I’ve covered everything, seems multiple long meetings with my lawyer are probably in my future. Joy! But I know getting all this straight now is crucial for mounting the best defense.

Understanding the Process & Possible Outcomes

In addition to the facts of my specific case, I also need to wrap my head around the whole federal court process. As much as I wish this would just go away, that’s clearly wishful thinking.

From what I read, looks like these are the key steps in a federal criminal case:

Arraignment – This is my first court appearance where charges are formally presented. Generally this starts the clock ticking on deadlines for sharing evidence and filing motions.

Motions – My lawyer can submit various motions trying to get evidence thrown out or charges dropped if there are legal issues with my case. Fingers crossed!

Plea Bargaining – Up to 90% of federal cases end with plea deals rather than going to trial. My lawyer will negotiate with prosecutors on a lesser sentence if I plead guilty. More to consider!

Trial – If I decide to take my case to trial, then I have the right to have a jury decide if I’m guilty or not guilty based on the evidence. Yikes, do I want 12 random people deciding my fate?

Sentencing – If found or plead guilty, the judge determines what my “punishment” will be based on federal sentencing guidelines. More time for more serious charges.

Appeals – If things don’t go my way, my lawyer can file appeals to contest rulings made by the court. Possibly overturn a conviction but no guarantees.

And let me tell you, after learning all this I have a newfound respect for anyone that deals with the criminal justice system. The process seems really confusing and I’m feeling overwhelmed trying to understand it all. Thank god for lawyers that handle this stuff daily!

The Waiting Game Begins

So that’s the gist of what I now know about facing federal charges on Long Island. I’m still terrified and feel like I’m in way over my head. The next steps are contacting lawyers for consults and hoping the legal experts can help.

My future is so uncertain at this point. Maybe I’ll get lucky and by some miracle have charges dismissed before this goes too far. Or maybe I’ll end up pleading to lesser charges to avoid harsh penalties. Or worst case, I could be headed to federal prison if this goes to trial and things don’t go my way.

The not knowing part is what’s killing me! I guess all I can really do now is sit back, try not to panic too much, and let the legal process play out. I’m really hoping for the best but preparing myself mentally and financially for this to be a long, difficult road ahead. Send good thoughts my way!