Savannah Federal Crimes Lawyer

Defending Against Federal Crimes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, Bulloch, McIntosh Counties

Charged with a federal crime in Savannah, Georgia? Don’t be overwhelmed; The Ozer Law Firm, LLC is here to help you. A range of crimes may be charged under federal law as we discuss below, and it is important to consult an experienced defense attorney to guide you through your legal mess. The federal criminal justice system is not friendly, and it is even unfriendlier to navigate. At The Ozer Law Firm, LLC, we aim to get clients the results they are looking for. We deliver a unique balance between aggressive representation in court and caring legal guidance in the office. Let a well-connected and experienced attorney handle your federal crimes defense.

Contact The Ozer Law Firm, LLC online for a free consultation to get started.

Federal Crimes in Georgia

Most criminal charges are thought of as state crimes. DUI, theft, and murder, for instance, are handled under state law. However, when criminal activity impacts federal or national interest, the offense will be charged as a federal crime. Counterfeiting American dollars, for instance, is a federal crime because it impacts the federal government.

In general, the following kinds of crimes may be handled by the federal government:

• Crimes that take place on federal land or involve federal officers (e.g., a murder in a national park, a theft on a military base, an assault against a federal agent)
• Crimes involving fraud, deception, or misrepresentation on the federal government or one of its agencies (e.g., federal tax fraud, Medicaid fraud, Small Business Administration loan fraud)
• Crimes where the defendant crosses state lines (e.g., kidnapping)
• Crimes where the criminal conduct crosses state lines (e.g., cybercrime affecting individuals in several states)
• Immigration and customs violations (e.g., international human or drug trafficking)

Navigating Federal Sentencing Guidelines

The penalties for federal convictions are much severer than for state-level convictions. Additionally, those convicted of federal crimes and sentenced to prison will go to federal prison instead of state prison.

Federal judges will consult the federal sentencing guidelines to declare an official sentence for a federal crime. The guidelines assign most federal crimes an offense level between 1 and 43, such that the higher the offense level, the more severe the crime is. The defendant will then be assigned to a criminal history category based on the extent of any previous criminal activity, such that Category I is for individuals with the least serious criminal record. The judge will find the intersection between the offense level and the criminal history category on the sentencing table to find an advisory sentencing range.

Note that for certain crimes, the guidelines may outline factors that can increase (or even decrease) the base offense level. For example, if a burglary (whose baseline offense level is 17), resulted in a loss of more than $5,000, 1 level will be added to the baseline level; a loss of more than $1,500,000 will have 5 levels added.

Adjustments may also be made to raise or lower the offense level, depending on the circumstances. There are several categories of adjustments, including: 

• victim-related adjustments;
• the offender's role in the offense;
• obstruction of justice;
• multiple counts; and
• acceptance of responsibility.

For example, if the crime was motivated by hate, the offense level will increase by 3 levels. However, if the offender was a minimal participant in the crime, the offense level may decrease by 4 levels. Additionally, if the offender clearly accepts responsibility, the offense level will go down 2 levels. There are plenty of other reasons for adjustment, including the presence of other aggravating or mitigating factors, and the outcome will depend uniquely on your situation (to the judge’s discretion).

If you have been charged with a federal crime in Georgia, do not hesitate to contact The Ozer Law Firm, LLC immediately. Federal sentences are lengthier and more serious than state-level sentences, so it is important that you enlist the help of a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the federal court system. Attorney Jennifer L. Ozer will build an aggressive defense strategy and facilitate a comfortable office environment to ensure you feel assured about your case.

Schedule a free consultation with The Ozer Law Firm, LLC to get started on your federal defense today.