Federal Crimes

If you are being investigated by a United States government agency or have been arrested for a Federal crime, do not wait to contact a Maryland federal crimes lawyer. These cases are entirely different from city and county cases. United States law enforcements agents are typically better trained than state and local cops, and assistant U.S. attorneys are typically older and more experienced than city and county prosecutors. Not to mention, the stakes are usually higher in federal criminal court, as the criminal code contains strict sentencing guidelines for many offenses. The lawyers at The Herbst Firm are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for a free consultation about your case. Maryland is part of the fourth judicial circuit, and cases are either heard in the district court in Baltimore City or in Greenbelt. Washington D.C. has its own federal judicial circuit that hears federal criminal cases alleged to have been committed within the city limits.

Federal agencies typically make arrests after they have enough evidence to secure an indictment from a grand jury. On the other hand, if you have been arrested by state or local police you can still be charged for a federal crime.  This is becoming far more common with respect to firearms cases and cases involving heroin and fentanyl in the Baltimore and D.C. Metro areas.  Specifically we have seen Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George's County cases taken over by the feds.  Maryland federal crimes lawyer Benjamin Herbst has successfully represented dozens of defendants in federal criminal cases involving drugs, guns and theft.  Many times federal law enforcement agencies like the DEA, FBI, and ATF will coordinate simultaneous investigations of a defendant, and the federal government will end up prosecuting the case. In certain instances, a state law enforcement agency can conduct an investigation and make an arrest but later pass the case on to a federal agency. It is a recent trend in our state and throughout the United States for the feds to maintain increased corroborative relationships with state and local law enforcement. The relationship between federal and state law enforcement agencies could have a drastic impact on any suspect who is being investigated or has been arrested for a crime. State law enforcement can pass an investigation onto the fed if the crime being investigated can result in a more serious punishment court. Federal law enforcement agencies may also pass cases to local police departments for the same purpose. It is also common practice for US and state agencies to share criminal background information as well as provide each other with tips that can produce future arrests.

US government agents often obtain damaging evidence from a defendant even after he or she has been arrested or learned about a criminal investigation. A Maryland federal defense lawyer can prevent this from happening, and assure that federal agents will not be able to further strengthen their case. The Herbst Firm specializes in defending clients charged with federal crimes including white collar crimes, public trust violations, weapons crimes, and controlled substance offenses, DUI and Benjamin is licensed to practice law in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland.  Benjamin is also an experienced court-martial lawyer who has represented active duty military members in Maryland who are charged under the UCMJ.