A federal court date can be a daunting and stressful event for anyone accused of a crime. However, by retaining a qualified defense attorney and gaining an understanding of the legal system, you can feel prepared going into your federal court trial in Charleston.
Before your first court date, focus on getting processed and released so you can return home. It will be easier to defend your case from your local attorney’s office rather than in custody, and this may allow you to maintain as much normalcy as possible while fighting a legal battle. An experienced federal attorney could provide further support to help you through this difficult period in your life.
How Long do Federal Criminal Cases Take?
It could take approximately a year from the moment someone is arrested to the end of their criminal case in federal court. There are many variables at play, and some trials take much longer. A defendant’s trial ends if they are acquitted, but this resolution typically does not occur on the first court date. Most defendants plead not guilty and then must continue to fight for the best result in their case with the help of their defense attorney.
Federal criminal cases could move more rapidly in certain scenarios. Quick resolutions are more common for white-collar cases with ongoing investigations, in which a plea deal and sentencing may have been arranged before charges were filed. However, guilty pleas and sentencing usually occur several months apart in federal court, so a single court appearance is rare even for trials with plea deals.
Differences between Federal and State Court in Charleston
Federal court is vastly different from Charleston court. Higher volumes in state court dictate different processes for how to get a bond, who sets the bond, and how to post bond. Some bond companies that are active in state court are not eligible to post bond in federal court. People charged with federal crimes should consult with a knowledgeable legal professional on the right bond companies to contact for their situation.
The jury pool in federal cases also differs from state court, in which the jurors are all from Charleston County. In federal court in Charleston, the juries come from throughout the district, reaching from Georgetown almost all the way to Aiken and Hilton Head. This means that the demographics of federal juries are not the same as in Charleston state court trials, and a savvy lawyer will have to adjust their defense strategy accordingly.
Judges in Federal Court
Federal judges are different from state judges in several ways. Federal judges have lifetime appointments, fewer cases, and more law clerks, so proceedings in federal court tend to be much more technical and legally driven. In state court, it is difficult for judges to spend time on any one case, but federal judges have smaller dockets and greater resources to drill down on various legal issues. Experienced legal defense is even more critical in cases that go to trial in federal court.
United States District Judges
A United States District Judge is a federal judge at the trial level. They are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the Senate to preside over criminal and civil cases, and they serve the rest of their lives. District judges handle the trials and sentencing for federal cases, so they have significant control over the fate of anyone charged with a federal crime.
United States Magistrate Judges
United States magistrate judges are appointed by the district court judges to assist the district court. Their role in criminal cases vary around the country from district to district. In South Carolina, magistrate judges generally set bonds and conduct other preliminary matters like scheduling, sentencing, and arraignment. Unlike in certain other districts, SC magistrate judges do not take guilty pleas and usually do not conduct jury trials.
Defendants see the magistrate at the beginning of their case in Charleston in order to post bond and file certain early motions. As a case proceeds, the district court judge typically deals with the rest of the motions.
Prepare for a Federal Court Trial with a Defense Attorney in Charleston
Federal court trails in Charleston are on a different playing field from state courts, so a deep understanding of the legal processes is necessary to build an effective defense for specific charges. An experienced attorney could help you prepare for your federal court date and work toward a positive resolution to your case.
If you are facing federal crimes, schedule a consultation with one of our practiced attorneys. The sooner you begin discussing defense strategies, the easier it may be to navigate your federal trial.
