Criminal Defense Attorney Christopher J. Angles: Mounting a criminal defense in federal criminal court

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When you find yourself facing federal charges in Kansas or Missouri, the first thing you must understand is that you absolutely need a Kansas City federal criminal lawyer on your side. Christopher Angles has the experience and expertise as a Kansas City federal criminal lawyer to defend you against federal charges in Kansas or Missouri.

Know your rights!

If you are being investigated or charged with a federal crime, it's imperative that you know your rights. In Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles is here to help you. His first step is to explain your rights and help you navigate the complex federal criminal system.

Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles is known as an aggressive, thorough and decisive advocate for his clients. Let's face it - facing an investigation or charges for a federal crime is a terrifying experience, and you need a federal criminal lawyer to give you everything you need to mount a comprehensive defense.

When you're facing charges for a federal crime, you need to know that:

• conviction for a federal crime usually involves jail time
• sentences in federal court are severe - longer typically than those imposed in state courts
• federal law, written by politicians, always favor the government

The moment you become aware that you're facing the potential of a charge for a federal crime in Kansas City, federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles should be you first phone call. Whether facing federal crime charges for homicide, drug trafficking or arson, Kansas City federal crime lawyer Christopher Angles provides you with the strong defense you deserve. Let Christopher Angles help you protect your civil liberties and mount a vigorous defense on your behalf.

Understanding Federal Criminal Law

While we know that in the United States, criminal defendants are presumed innocentCall until proven guilty, the reality is that when you are charged with a federal crime, jurors often consider that you are guilty until you can prove yourself innocent. That's because our federal criminal system is a sentencing system. Defendants charged with federal crimes are presumed guilty, with the only real question being the length of sentencing. Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles provides you with an experienced legal defense that returns the balance to federal criminal proceedings. You need a federal criminal lawyer who will be able to overcome the advantage federal prosecutors have in federal courts.

You should enlist the services of Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles because federal investigations are unpredictable. He will prepare you for everything, including eventualities such as a visit from federal investigators seeking to get a statement from you. Trust Chris when he tells you that in most federal cases, the BEST evidence against any defendant is his or her own words, so the statement is the most critical part of the investigation.

Call Federal Criminal Lawyer Christopher Angles BEFORE you say anything!

As any federal criminal lawyer will tell you, when federal agents arrive to question you, it's in your best interest to:

• invoke the right not to speak
• invoke the right to speak with your lawyer

Federal agents are trained to shut down their attempt to get your statement the moment you ask for your right to counsel. That's why it is so critical that you immediately invoke your right to speak with your lawyer. But don't just say it. Do it! Contact Christopher Angles immediately. He'll help you take the next steps so that you can build a strong defense. As much as any attorney in Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles has extensive experience advising clients in this situation and has been successful in preventing any federal charge from being file in some cases. In other cases, Chris Angle's counsel and actions have positively influenced how the case is eventually charged.

Federal Sentencing Guidelines Are Stringent - But We Can Help!

Congress enacts the laws that are observed in federal courts. For most federal charges, the punishment you would face upon conviction is outlined in the actual law that governs that offense. United States Code usually defines punishment by a range of years. Upon conviction, your specific punishment would be determined using the United States Sentencing Guidelines.

Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles wants you to understand that current sentencing guidelines, published in 1987 and meant to ensure uniform sentences, are very punitive in nature and call for lengthy sentences, particularly in drug cases. However, recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions offer some leeway in the sentencing for federal crimes. Let Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles explain how these changes could affect the criminal charges you're facing.

What Happens When Charges Are Filed

As Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles will explain to you upon consultation, there are a few ways that federal charges can be filed against you, including:

• A judge is persuaded that probable causes exists in the case and signs a complaint against you
• A prosecutor files a document called an Information
• A grand jury hands down an indictment

A federal agent may approach a magistrate judge with a sworn affidavit accusing someone of a crime. If the magistrate judge believes that probable cause exists that the accused committed the crime, he or she may sign the Complaint and issue an arrest warrant. The Complaint is typically used in cases where government wants your immediate arrest and detention. The prosecutor can also file a similar document called an Information. If the case proceeds by way of an Information or a Complaint, the accused is entitled to a preliminary hearing. At this hearing, the burden is on the prosecution to produce evidence sufficient for the judge to find probable cause that: 1) a felony was committed, and 2) that the accused could have committed it. This is a very low burden of proof, yet this hearing may be critical.

An indictment lists all of the charges and is reviewed by a Grand Jury. This is a group of people who meet in secret to review the government’s evidence and decided whether probable cause exists. In cases where an Indictment is issued, the accused is not entitled to a preliminary hearing. Commonly, a case begins with the filing of a Complaint. Following the preliminary hearing, the government will seek an Indictment. The next step is disposition: trial or plea.

No matter how the charges are filed, you will need ongoing assistance and counsel from Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles in order to navigate the federal criminal process and defend yourself against federal charges.

Arrest and Detention

When arrested, the accused will learn whether the government has filed a motion to detain him or her pending trial. Typically, the accused would be arrested by the officers investigating the case or the United States Marshals and transported to a federal holding facility. The accused is entitled to an immediate hearing, notified of the charges and given a chance to seek bond. The latest figures from the Department of Justice show that 52% of those charged have a pretrial detention hearing. Of those, 75% of those with a hearing are ordered detained.

Once arrested, the accused will immediately have a meeting with a pretrial services officer, who will conduct a background investigation and provide a report to the judge with recommendations for whether or not the accused should receive bond. Any statements to the pretrial officer are very important. That's why if you find yourself in this situation, you need Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles present to assist you with this confusing part of the process. Please know that under no circumstances should the facts of the case be discussed with the pretrial services officer. Anything said can and will be used in court.

Your Options

For an accused person, the first option is to plead not guilty and dispute all charges. The firm of Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles has been very successful in trial. If you decide to fight the charges, a jury of 12 will decide whether you are innocent or guilty. If you are found not guilty, the case is over. If you are found guilty, you will have a sentencing hearing sometime after the jury verdict. A presentence investigation report will be prepared by the probation office and provided to all of the parties prior to the sentencing date.

The second option is to plead guilty as charged to the court. Such a disposition does not involve any deal with the prosecutor. You are likely to receive a minimal reduction for acceptance of responsibility. While this is not usually recommended, it is sometimes the right course of action.

The third and final option if you are charged with a federal offense is to plead guilty and cooperate with the government. If you cooperate and provide "substantial assistance" to the government in the form of information, identification of other criminal actors, other conspiracies and even provide testimony, the prosecutor may agree to file a downward departure motion on your behalf which is commonly called a 5K1.1, 18 U.S.C. §3553 motion. The latest Bureau of Prisons statistics estimate that between one-third and one-half of all inmates in the Bureau of Prisons have reduced sentences due to such a motion being filed. This means that more than one-third to one-half of all criminal defendants agree to plead guilty and cooperate—some get probation. The government will file such a motion if and only if substantial assistance is provided. To receive the prosecutor’s help, you have to be completely truthful as well as provide information that can assist the government in a new prosecution, or in obtainin g a conviction in a pending matter.

Time is of the Essence

Once a person is accused in federal court, the speedy trial clock begins ticking. The government has a limited amount of time to get a person to trial. The length of time depends on whether the person is held without bond or not. If you want a trial, you must make the critical decision as to whether to assert your speedy trial rights—quickly. For all of these reasons, we recommend that you contact an attorney at the earliest possible moment to ensure that your defense begins as soon as possible. Contact Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles today to learn more.

It is critical to hire a lawyer who knows the system and who can guide you as to the best course of action quickly. Our lawyers have the type of experience necessary to help you make those decisions. The clock is ticking ... Kansas City federal criminal lawyer Christopher Angles can help and will even offer a free initial consultation. His strategies are proven. If you have been charged or think you might be charged, the time to act is now.