State and Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in West Palm Beach
Both misdemeanor and felony charges can lead to serious consequences including fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges. Even worse, your reputation is on the line when facing criminal charges. If you are found guilty, you risk losing the respect of friends, family members, and colleagues. Plus, your conviction can follow you for the rest of your life, closing doors that are open to others.
Fortunately, a charge is not the same as a conviction, and you have the right to defend yourself. With more than 34 years of experience defending clients against state and federal charges, Ronald S. Chapman can protect your rights during the process. Our West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer can explore options to dismiss or reduce the charges or prepare a defense for court.
As a sole practitioner, you will work directly with Ronald S. Chapman during your case. Reach out for a consultation so an attorney can begin building your defense.
Types of Criminal Charges
Our West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer represents clients who are facing:
- Federal charges
- State charges
- Misdemeanor charges
- Felony charges
This includes charges ranging from assault to white-collar crimes. Contact our firm today to discuss your situation with an attorney.
State vs. Federal Charges in Florida
Depending on the circumstances surrounding the alleged criminal activity, you can be charged on the state or federal level. In either instance, investigators will collect evidence to support a conviction. However, the parties involved will differ depending on the charges.
Local law enforcement will investigate if you face charges on the state level. Additionally, county and state police might step in to assist. Then law enforcement will hand the evidence over to a state prosecutor.
However, federal government agencies investigate federal crimes. This might include the DEA, FBI, or ICE. Then the investigators send the evidence to the U.S. Attorney in charge of your case. Because the federal government has lots of resources at its disposal, it can often gather evidence that local police cannot.
While the penalties might be more severe for federal convictions, you also face steep consequences if convicted of a state crime. Fortunately, our West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer has more than 34 years of experience in state and federal courts. Ronald Chapman will thoroughly investigate and review the case and help you explore all of your legal options. Contact our firm today to learn more.
State and Federal Charges for the Same Crime
Many people are surprised to learn that they can be charged with the same crime in both state and federal courts. In this instance, the justice system does not follow the principle of double jeopardy, meaning you can be tried and convicted for the same crime in both court systems.
Our West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer has experience in both state and federal courts so you will not have to hire two attorneys to handle your case. Reach out today to discuss your charges.
Misdemeanors vs. Felonies
State and federal crimes are charged as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the severity of the alleged criminal activity. Felonies are the more serious of the two charges, but even a misdemeanor conviction can lead to jail time in some instances. Our West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer represents clients charged with state and federal misdemeanors and felonies. With over 34 years of experience working on these cases, he is well-versed in negotiating with prosecutors and challenging the prosecutor’s evidence. Contact the firm today to discuss your case with Ronald S. Chapman.
Obtaining Bail
Depending on the severity of your alleged crime, law enforcement might hold you in jail until your First Appearance. Then the judge can set the bond and other conditions of the release. For instance, the judge might have you wear an ankle monitoring device as a condition of your bail or force you to check in with a court official each day. Our West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyer can present evidence to support a fair and reasonable bond, with few or any restrictions upon your release. If you do not have an attorney present, the judge is more likely to side with the prosecutor. Thus, contact our firm if you or a loved one is preparing for a First Appearance hearing.