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Federal court cases often handle white-collar criminal cases filed by federal agencies such as the FBI, Treasury, DEA, Customs and other federal agencies. These cases often involve high crimes like treason, contraband, tax evasion amounting to millions, illegal weapons trafficking, and drug and human trafficking, to mention some.  Sometimes local and state agencies also file criminal charges in federal courts when they take into custody accused criminals charged in any of these areas.  In the state of California, if you should find yourself unjustly accused and charged with a felony or federal crime, you need to get in touch with a California Criminal Law Firm right away even before talking to the feds.

So what’s the basic difference between a state and federal court?  State courts adjudicate the vast majority of civil and criminal cases in the country. Nearly 91% of prison inmates were sent there by state courts.  On the other hand, of the remaining 9% handled in federal courts, 70% involve immigration-related crimes and drug trafficking.  Federal courts are empowered by federal law to impose the death penalty even in states that do not recognize capital punishment under state laws. California’s state penal code allows the death penalty but California Criminal Law Firm attorneys with experience in state and federal courts prefer to defend their clients in state courts, rather than in federal courts.

It is generally considered in the best interest of a defendant in a criminal case to be prosecuted in a state, instead of a federal court.  The sentencing system in many states is often simpler and offers more flexibility in availing of sentencing options compared with the US Federal Sentencing Guidelines.  Your California Criminal Law Firm can better explain to you the difference.