Federal Sentencing Guidelines

New York Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

One of the primary reasons federal criminal charges are so serious are the potential penalties that may be enforced upon a conviction. Federal Sentencing Guidelines make a federal conviction all the more grave, including extensive terms of imprisonment, heavy fines, and more. This is why you should consider involving a New York federal crimes attorney as soon as possible to defend your rights.

Ever since the passage of a sweeping reform initiative in the 1980s the number of federal crimes being investigated and charged have been on a dramatic increase throughout New York. Every federal crime conviction also brings with it very serious consequences under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines are a strict set of rules used for making all federal sentencing uniform and changeless, regardless of where the defendant is tried. Federal Sentencing Guidelines were instituted by the US Sentencing Commission.

In general, the guidelines make sentencing set in stone at the time the sentence is handed down. This means that there is no parole board or other body deciding whether to make the sentence shorter or longer at a future date. Once a federal judge determines a sentence for someone that sentence is held until the time is served. These guidelines are very different from state level criminal sentencing where a prisoner has more room for adjustment and can get off early with good behavior.

In 2005, the US Supreme Court ruled that parts of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines were in fact unconstitutional because they did not give the right to a trial by jury. This right is accorded to everyone in the US under the Constitution's Sixth Amendment. Because of this decision there are many ways in which a sentence can be turned around, though it is a very complicated process.

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines operate on two main elements: the type of offense committed and the defendant's criminal history. Several studies performed by the government allege that the two elements are interrelated to such an extent that it can help in determining an effective sentencing period. The more serious the crime committed, by a repeat offender, the longer the prison sentence, for example.

Because these guidelines are far from set in stone, however, all persons facing a federal criminal charge are strongly advised to seek experienced legal representation immediately. There are many facets to the law that only experienced and aggressive New York federal crime attorneys are aware of. While each and every person facing a criminal charge is accorded the right to a lawyer not all of them have the most effective representation they can find.

New York Federal Crime Lawyer

If you or someone you love is facing a federal criminal charge in New York, please contact our office for a free consultation with a skilled New York federal criminal defense lawyer. The prospect of spending a lengthy period of your life in jail is not something that anyone should go through without effective and aggressive legal representation. Often, a lawyer from our firm can work to reduce the sentence or even get the case thrown out before a judge sees it at all.

The New York federal crime defense attorneys at Conaway & Strickler, P.C. have years of experience handling federal criminal cases. Our office is one of the few in New York offering a free, no-obligation consultation for any potential case.

Contact a New York federal criminal defense lawyer at our firm today!