March 2019 - Federal Criminal Law Center

What is the First Offender Program?

Posted by Marcia Shein
On March 31, 2019
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Federal Criminal Defense, first offender program

Understanding the First Offender Program Following a first arrest, it is common to end up experiencing a number of emotions such as confusion and fear. Because most people think that they will never end up facing criminal charges, it is often bewildering to be charged with a criminal offense for the first time. Continue reading […]

What are the Federal Sentencing Guidelines?

Posted by Marcia Shein
On March 25, 2019
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Federal Criminal Charges, Federal Sentencing Guidelines

Understanding the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Established in 1984, the Sentencing Reform Act created the United States Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Before this time, federal judges had much more discretion regarding how to sentence people convicted of criminal offenses. Unfortunately, this discretion sometimes led to unequal sentences for the same criminal offense. The sentencing guidelines, however, helped […]

What Does Pleading No Contest Mean?

Posted by Marcia Shein
On March 20, 2019
0 Comments
Federal Criminal Defense, no contest, nolo contendere, pleas

Answering the Question: What Does Pleading No Contest Mean? A no contest plea is a type of plea used in criminal proceeding as an alternative to the more traditional guilty or not guilty plea. Also sometimes known as a nolo contendere plea, a no contest plea is the equivalent of a person stating that he […]

What Happens if You Plead Not Guilty?

Posted by Marcia Shein
On March 16, 2019
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Criminal Defense Overview, Federal Plea And Sentencing, not guilty

What to Consider When You Plead Not Guilty When a person decides to plead not guilty, he or she is informing the prosecution that a case will proceed to trial and involve much more complex decisions. Even after choosing to plead not guilty, it is common to feel uncertain about what will occur in your […]

Post-Conviction Options You Should Consider

Posted by Marcia Shein
On March 11, 2019
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Criminal Convictions Reversed/Vacated, post-conviction relief

Options After Post-Conviction There are a number of possible options for a criminal defendant post-conviction, and an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help make sense of them all. While being convicted of a criminal offense can create some substantial obstacles in a person’s life, there are some ways to greatly decrease the resulting impact. The […]

How to Choose a Defense Attorney for a Successful Appeal

Posted by Marcia Shein
On March 1, 2019
0 Comments
appeals process, Federal Criminal Appeals

CHOOSING A DEFENSE ATTORNEY TO APPEAL YOUR CASE When you’re facing a criminal case in federal district court, it’s vital that you select the right criminal defense lawyer for you. What happens in the trial court can have a significant impact on your rights and your future, and often public defenders are too overburdened to […]