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Receiving a Criminal Summons: What You Need to Know and Do Next

Receiving a Criminal Summons: What You Need to Know and Do Next

So, you got a letter in the mail; and it’s from the federal court — it’s a criminal summons. Your heart drops, you start sweating, and you’re probably wondering, “What the heck do I do now?”
Don’t panic. Take a deep breath. I’m here to walk you through exactly what this means, and what steps you need to take. As a federal criminal defense lawyer, I’ve helped tons of people in your situation, and I’m going to give it to you straight.

What is a Federal Criminal Summons?

A federal criminal summons is basically a court order, telling you that you need to appear in front of a federal judge on a certain date and time. It’s because the federal government believes you may have committed a federal crime.
Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean you’re guilty — not at all. It just means they want to look into the situation further. But obviously, it’s a very serious matter that you can’t just ignore.

Why Would I Get a Summons Instead of an Arrest?

Good question. Typically, if federal prosecutors think you’re a flight risk (meaning you might try to run away) or a potential danger to the community, they’ll seek an arrest warrant instead of a summons.
But if they believe you’re not a risk, they’ll often just issue a summons first. It’s a bit less dramatic than getting arrested — but again, you absolutely have to take it seriously.

What Should I Do If I Get a Federal Criminal Summons?

Okay, let’s get into the practical steps you need to take if you find yourself in this situation:

1. Don’t Panic, But Don’t Ignore It Either

I know it’s easier said than done, but try your best not to freak out. Panicking won’t help. At the same time, you can’t just stick your head in the sand on this one. Ignoring a federal summons is a very bad idea that can lead to an arrest warrant being issued.

2. Hire an Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer ASAP

This is not the time to try and represent yourself or go with a cheap lawyer. You need to hire an experienced federal criminal defense attorney immediately. Like, today.
Why is this so important? A skilled lawyer can start working on your defense strategy right away, investigate what exactly you’re being accused of, see what evidence the prosecutors have, and take steps to protect your rights.
They’ll also make sure you don’t miss any important dates or deadlines related to the summons. Hiring a top-notch federal lawyer is honestly the single most important thing you can do.

3. Follow Your Lawyer’s Instructions to a T

Once you have a federal criminal lawyer on your side, they’ll give you very specific instructions on what to do and what not to do. Listen to them. Don’t take any actions without running it by your attorney first.
For example, they’ll likely tell you not to speak to federal investigators or prosecutors without them present. They may also advise against posting anything about the case on social media, which could potentially hurt your defense.

4. Show Up for Your Court Date and Be Prepared

This one’s obvious, but can’t be overstated: You must, must, must show up for your scheduled court date. Failing to appear will result in a warrant for your arrest.
Your lawyer will make sure you’re fully prepared for the court appearance and will be by your side through the whole thing. Just be honest, listen to their advice, and let them do their job of defending you.

What Happens After I Appear for My Summons?

So you followed all the steps above, showed up for your court date with your lawyer, and made your initial appearance. What’s next?
Well, a lot depends on the specific charges and situation. But in general, here are some of the potential next steps:

Pretrial Release or Bail Hearing

In many cases, the judge will make a decision on whether you can be released from custody while awaiting trial. This could involve being released on your own recognizance (basically promising to show up) or posting bail.
Your lawyer will make a strong argument for your pretrial release by highlighting things like your ties to the community, employment, lack of criminal history, and other mitigating factors.

Preliminary Hearing

If you’re released, you may have to attend a preliminary hearing where the judge will determine if there’s probable cause for the charges against you. Your lawyer can cross-examine witnesses and try to get charges dismissed at this stage.

Discovery Process

This is where your lawyer and the prosecutors exchange information and evidence related to the case. It’s a crucial preparation period before any potential trial.

Plea Bargaining

Depending on the evidence and circumstances, your lawyer may advise trying to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutors. This could allow you to plead guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a more lenient sentence.

Trial Preparation

If no plea deal can be reached, then your case will proceed towards an actual criminal trial before a judge or jury. This involves extensive preparation like witness interviews, filing motions, and developing a defense strategy.

Potential Defenses to Federal Criminal Charges

Every case is different, but some common potential defenses that an experienced federal criminal lawyer may pursue include:
Lack of evidence – If the prosecution doesn’t have enough proof to convict beyond a reasonable doubt, your lawyer can argue for dismissal.
Entrapment – If federal agents induced or persuaded you to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise done, that could be entrapment.
Violation of rights – Any violations of your constitutional rights, like illegal searches/seizures, could get evidence suppressed.
Insanity defense – If you were legally insane at the time of the alleged crime, you may not be held criminally responsible.
Mistaken identity – If the evidence shows you simply weren’t the person who committed the crime.
Your lawyer will carefully analyze all possible defenses based on the specifics of your case.

Why Hiring a Top Federal Criminal Lawyer is So Critical

Look, I don’t want to scare you, but federal criminal charges are extremely serious — we’re talking potential prison time, huge fines, and a permanent criminal record that can impact employment, housing, and travel for the rest of your life.
That’s why it’s absolutely essential to have one of the best federal criminal defense lawyers in your corner from the very start. An experienced attorney can often get charges reduced or even dismissed.
At my firm, the Spodek Law Group, we’ve been defending people facing federal charges for decades. We know all the ins and outs of the federal court system. We’re respected by federal judges and prosecutors. And we fight tirelessly to protect our clients’ rights.

What to Look for in a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

When you’re hiring a lawyer for a federal criminal case, you’ll want to make sure they have:
Extensive experience handling similar federal cases
A strong track record of positive results
In-depth knowledge of federal laws, procedures and sentencing guidelines
Availability to give your case the personal attention it deserves
Excellent negotiation skills for pursuing plea bargains if appropriate
Trial experience before federal judges and juries
A reputation for integrity and ethical practices
You’ll also want to have an initial consultation to get a feel for the lawyer’s style and make sure you can develop a strong attorney-client relationship built on trust.

Additional Resources on Federal Criminal Charges

I tried to cover the key points here, but this is obviously a very complex topic. For more detailed information, I’d recommend checking out some of these resources:
Quora thread on receiving a federal summons
Avvo guide to federal criminal charges
FindLaw overview of federal crimes
LawInfo on federal criminal defense
You can also call the Spodek Law Group at 212-210-1851 to get a free consultation on your specific situation.

The Bottom Line: Take It Seriously, But Don’t Lose Hope

Getting a federal criminal summons is definitely a scary, stressful situation. But try to stay calm, and follow the steps I outlined above. Hire an experienced lawyer you can trust. Be proactive about building your defense.
Most importantly, don’t just give up hope. There are often many potential avenues for getting charges reduced or dismissed entirely when you have a skilled federal criminal defense attorney on your side.
I’ve seen countless cases where things looked really bleak at first, but ended up working out favorably for my clients. So don’t assume the worst — instead, take action to protect your rights and put up the best possible defense.
If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Spodek Law Group. We’re here to help, and will give you honest, straightforward advice every step of the way.

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