• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Combs Law Group

Combs Law Group

  • Home
  • Criminal Defense
    • Areas We Serve
    • Drug Possession
      • Federal Drug Charges
      • Marijuana Crimes
      • Heroin Drug Charges
      • Cocaine Possession
      • Drug Manufacturing
      • Drug Trafficking
      • Drug Distribution Crimes
      • Meth Crimes
      • Prescription Drug Crimes
      • Drug Paraphernalia
    • Theft Crimes
      • Shoplifting
      • Burglary
      • Motor Vehicle Tampering
      • Receiving Stolen Property
      • Credit Card Fraud
      • Robbery
    • Traffic Tickets
      • Leaving The Scene
    • Felonies
      • Class A Felony
      • Class B Felony
      • Class C Felony
      • Class D Felony
    • Misdemeanors
      • Class A Misdemeanors
      • Class B Misdemeanor In Missouri
      • Class C Misdemeanors
      • Class D Misdemeanors
      • Unclassified
    • Violent Crimes
      • Weapons Offense
        • Federal Gun Crimes
        • Federal Gun Crimes Statutes
      • Unlawful Use Weapon
      • Domestic Violence
      • Assault Crimes
      • Disorderly Conduct
      • Sex Crimes
        • Sexual Assault Defense Lawyer St. Louis
      • Battery Crimes
      • Involuntary Manslaughter
    • White Collar Crimes
    • Juvenile Crimes
    • Felony Expungements
    • Probation Violations
  • DWI/DUI
    • Areas Served
      • St. Louis County DWI
      • St. Charles County DWI
      • Jefferson County DWI
      • Franklin County DWI
      • Ste. Genevieve County DWI
      • Saint Francois County DWI
      • Maryland Heights DWI
      • Town And Country DWI
      • Chesterfield DWI
    • DWI First Offense
    • DWI Second Offense
    • DWI Accidents
    • Felony DWI
    • DWI With Drugs
    • Hit & Run DWI
    • DUI Lawyer
    • CDL DWI Lawyer
  • Personal Injury
    • Car Accidents
    • Slip & Fall Accidents
    • Motorcycle Accidents
    • Product Liability
  • Reviews
  • Case Results
  • About Us
    • Christopher Combs
    • Contact Us
    • Office Locations
  • Blog

A Guide To Federal Felony Charges

combschris1 · November 26, 2019 ·



Introduction To Federal Felonies

A federal felony charge is no joke – once a crime becomes a felony the likelihood of escaping without doing serious jail time becomes much less unlikely. If you or a loved one have been, or think you may be charged with a federal felony, you need to be as knowledgeable as possible so you can move forward to fight the charges properly. This article outlines everything you need to know about federal felony charges. 

Federal Charges vs State Charges: What’s the Difference? 

Federal charges are charges for crimes that are have broken a law on the federal level. In other words, there are certain laws the United States Congress has defined that help keeps US citizens safe. There are some crimes that must be prosecuted in the Federal District Court because it is automatically in their jurisdiction. 

Other crimes are offenses under both federal and state law, so it’s up to the state to decide whether or not they wish to pursue prosecution in the Federal District Court or the State Court. 

State charges are those that have violated state law and will be heard in the State Court. These charges typically come with a lesser sentence than federal charges, due to the severity of the crime. 

What Does Federal Criminal Prosecution Look Like? 

If someone is charged with a federal crime, these are the steps their case will typically take: 

  1. Arrest – the alleged offender will be arrested, or a warrant will be issued for their arrest. The warrant for arrest will be based on a Complaint or an Indictment. 
  2. Initial Court Appearance – As soon as possible after the arrest, the alleged offender will have an Initial Appearance with a Magistrate Judge. They will advise the accused of their rights, and find out if they will have an attorney or be appointed a public defender. A federal prosecutor (known as the Assistant United States Attorney) may ask for the alleged offender to be detained. 
  3. Detention Hearing – if the alleged offender is detained, a Detention Hearing must be heard within three working days to decide whether or not there is evidence that the accused is a danger to the community or likely to flee. They may be released pending trial or detained until trial. 
  4. Preliminary Hearing – If arrested on a Complaint, the alleged offender has the right to a Preliminary Hearing within 10 days, in which probable cause will be established and it will be decided if the case should go to a grand jury. (If arrested on Indictment, this isn’t necessary.) 
  5. Grand Jury – The final decision to prosecute a federal case is up to a grand jury of randomly selected citizens within that jurisdiction. 
  6. Indictment Sought – the Assistant US Attorneys appear before the jury to establish probable cause. 
  7. Indictment Returned – if the grand jury believes the evidence presented does establish probable cause, it issues an indictment against the accused. If it doesn’t, a No Bill is returned. 
  8. Arraignment – within 10 days of Indictment an Arraignment must take place before a Magistrate Judge. The defendant is read their charges and advised of their rights. They enter their plea (guilty or not guilty). 
  9. Plea Agreement – if pleaded not guilty, a trial takes place until a Plea Agreement is reached between the Assistant US Attorney and the defense attorney. 
  10. Trial – The trial proper takes place before a jury and Federal District Court Judge. Now the Assistant US Attorney and defense attorneys present their evidence. The jury must unanimously agree on the verdict. If found not guilty, they are released. If found guilty, they go on to pre-sentencing. There may be an option to have the case heard without a jury present. 
  11. Pre-Sentencing – If pleaded guilty or convicted, the evidence is presented with a recommendation for the sentence to a Federal District Court Judge. 
  12. Sentencing – Eight weeks after the entry of the plea or finding guilty at trial, the Federal District Court Judge imposes the sentence. 
  13. Appeal – the defendant may decide to appeal the results of the trial. 

What are the Different Types of Felony Charges? 

There are 5 different types of felony charge each with a recommended sentence. What crimes constitute a felony and what punishment each felony can earn differs from state to state, but generally: 

  • Class A Felony – Most serious felony with a possibility of a life sentence or death (murder, terrorism, bank robbery) 
  • Class B Felony – Slightly less serious than Class A with a sentence of 25 years or more (like manslaughter, sexual assault, distribution of narcotics) 
  • Class C Felony – 10 – 25 years in prison (involuntary manslaughter, domestic assault, endangering a child) 
  • Class D Felony – 5 – 10 years in prison (false documentation required to vote, unlawful abortion, driving while license is revoked) 
  • Class E Felony – Less than 5 years in prison (DWI, unlawful practice of law, attempted crimes) 

Anything below 1 year in prison will be a misdemeanor. 

What are the Most Common Types of Federal Crimes? 

The top 5 most common federal crimes are: 

  • Drug-Related Felonies – there are more than 2,000,000 felony drug violations annually. This includes possession, trafficking, and selling charges. 
  • Theft Crimes – theft, larceny, burglary, auto theft, armed robbery. 
  • Violent Crimes – there are more than 1,000,000 felony cases of assault annually, including sexual assault, but not including manslaughter, murder, domestic and child abuse.
  • Fraud – this includes writing counterfeit checks, money laundering, corporate fraud, and more. 
  • Weapons Violations – unlawful possession of a weapon is often a felony charge. 

Other Federal Crimes 

  • Violence 
    • Abusive Sexual Contact 
    • Assault/Battery 
    • Armed Robbery 
    • Assault with a Deadly Weapon
    • Murder  
    • Manslaughter 
    • Attempted Murder/Manslaughter 
    • Terrorism 
    • Unlawful Possession of Bombs and Explosives 
    • Child/Elder Abuse and Child Pornography 
  • Theft and Vandalism 
    • Armed Robbery 
    • Arson 
  • Crimes Against the Government 
    • Advocating to Overthrow the Government 
    • Escaping from Prison 
    • Bank Burglary/Robbery/Larceny 
    • Breaking into Federal Buildings 
  • Falsifying Documents & Theft 
    • Identity Theft 
    • Falsification of Official Identifying Documents 
  • Endangering Others 
    • Airplane Hijacking 
    • Aiming Laser Pointer at Aircraft 
    • Kidnapping 
    • Harassment of Victims or Witnesses 
  • Monetary Crimes 
    • Racketeering 
    • Bankruptcy Fraud 
    • Embezzlement 
    • Tax Fraud 
    • Blackmail/Bribery 
    • Price Fixing 
    • Cyber Crimes 

View a complete list here.

What to Do If Charged with a Federal Crime 

If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, it’s important you get an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer on your case as soon as possible. If you are looking for a criminal defense lawyer in St. Louis, Missouri, or the surrounding areas, we’re here to help. To find out more about how we can help you as soon as possible, contact us here.

Criminal Defense Law, Federal Crimes federal crimes, federal crimes lawyer, federal crimes lawyer st. louis, federal crimes vs state crimes, federal felonies, federal felonies vs state felonies

  • This was my first time dealing with a court case (Restraining Order filed against me) and this was definitely the Law Firm to go with. Christopher Combs sat down and discussed with me the details and reassured me that he will do everything he can to get the case dismissed. He worked with Steve Waterkotte, who was very professional and reassuring as well. Obviously the outcome went exactly as they predicted and I couldn't be happier to pick Combs Law Group. Would strongly recommend to friends and family and will for sure be using his services again if ever needed.

    Andriy Palchak Avatar
    Andriy Palchak
    9/04/2019
  • Mr. Combs was professional and attentive. I received prompt updates on the status of my case. Mr. Combs was able to get me cleared of all charges for a nominal fee and only one appearance. I will definitely recommend him to my friends.

    AJ Benga Avatar
    AJ Benga
    6/12/2019
  • Chris Combs is an excellent lawyer. He has great and consistent communication with his clients and he makes sure that he can give them the best possible outcome for their individual situations. Chris also shows compassion and integrity as he works in detail on ones case. I would recommend Attorney Chris Combs to anyone who needs a lawyer who is honest, punctual, and full of criminal justice knowledge.

    Victoria Nabual Avatar
    Victoria Nabual
    5/19/2019
  • Mr. Combs was very fair, competitively priced, listened to all of our concerns and delivered us the best outcome we could hope for!! I am grateful for his service! He did everything he said he would and kept me informed every step of the way. Thanks Chris.

    My Fair Lady Avatar
    My Fair Lady
    4/27/2019
  • Recently, I called on Chris and he got me the best possible outcome. Chris has always had my best interests at heart. I’ve called on him in the past and would do so in the future. No hesitation, Chris is my go to guy.

    Sunil Solanki Avatar
    Sunil Solanki
    4/24/2019
  • Chris is AMAZING!!!! He is very reasonable and worked with me on payment! He saved me from a very grim situation and had it reduced to littering! Chris is very easy to get a hold of and responds very quickly if he doesn’t answer the phone directly! He is a miracle worker and I highly recommend him for all your legal needs!

    Lisa Buehler Avatar
    Lisa Buehler
    4/19/2019
  • Chris was very professional and very responsive. Our outcome was better than we could have expected. I would recommend Chris and would use his services again if necessary.

    Ann VanderKraats Avatar
    Ann VanderKraats
    2/11/2019
  • I cannot stress the importance of this 5-star review. I was an out-of-state client of Chris’ and he went above and beyond for my case. Chris Combs, along his assistant, Steve Waterkotte, were excellent in handling my case with extreme care, timeliness, and precision. The outcome of the case exceeded my expectations.

    Chris Combs and his firm stood beside me 150% and I felt in good hands throughout the whole process. Before consulting with Chris, I chose to call him based on the reviews I read; now I understand why there are nothing but 5-star reviews for his firm and I am glad to be a contributor to that statistic... it is the least I could do for what Chris and his firm did for me.

    yev_atl Avatar
    yev_atl
    1/16/2019
  • Mr. Combs provided me with the up most legal advice and stood by my side through the entire case. He not only responded to every phone call but responded to every text as well never left me hanging and most importantly kept up to date with everything that was going on.

    Corey Pruett Avatar
    Corey Pruett
    1/07/2019
  • Chris and his team were terrific! I had a few speeding tickets that were well over the speed limit and Chris was able to work his magic to get them reduced to a non-moving, no point violation and without it costing me an absorbent amount of money!

    Brad Jundt Avatar
    Brad Jundt
    11/23/2018
  • I can’t say enough about Chris and his outstanding work he did for me. He asked me to trust him and I did and it was the best choice I could have made. Not only did he do what he was going to do he went above and beyond more than what he had to do to make sure everything was gonna work out. He saved my butt and I wouldn’t go to any other lawyer in St. Louis after seeing what he did for me . Thanks Chris . God bless u and your team

    nicholas kanevsky Avatar
    nicholas kanevsky
    11/23/2018
  • He is best what i found. And I will suggest you please work with him and you will see positive result for sure. You might get late reply like one or two days late because he is really busy and working with lots of cases but he will reply you for sure. Thank you Christopher for your help....!!!!

    Vicky Desai Avatar
    Vicky Desai
    11/19/2018
  • We thoroughly researched lawyers for a criminal case and decided on Chris for his professionalism, track record, and fair pricing. Good work isn't cheap and cheap work isn't good, but you get MORE than what you pay for with Chris Combs and his staff. He was available to answer calls and texts with any questions at all times - he was always helpful in explaining everything and stayed on top of the game throughout the entire case. Chris will work hard for you and he puts his clients first always. He does not shy away from a challenge and delivers on everything 110%. We will always recommend Combs Law Group and are very happy with our decision to hire him to represent our case.

    Alex Feldewerth Avatar
    Alex Feldewerth
    11/05/2018
  • I hired Chris Combs when St. Louis City police falsely arrested and charged. Chris truly went the extra mile to defend me against a false arrest. Chris combs will fight to defend you every step of the way through the legal process. After Chris Combs and the St. Louis City Prosecutor cross examination against the arresting officer the judge agreed my rights were violated by the officer, and dismissed charges. Chris always answered my calls or text no matter what!! Chris gave me a very fair and competitive price!! I’m very happy with the outcome of my situation, and would highly recommended him to family and friends.

    Matt Feldewerth Avatar
    Matt Feldewerth
    11/02/2018
  • I hired Chris Combs when St. Louis City police falsely arrested and charged. Chris truly went the extra mile to defend me against a false arrest. After Chris Combs and the St. Louis City Prosecutor cross examination against the arresting officer the judge agreed my rights were violated by the officer, and dismissed charges. Chris combs will fight to defend you every step of the way through the legal process. Chris always answered my calls or text no matter what!! Chris gave me a very fair and competitive price!! I’m very happy with the outcome of my situation, and would highly recommended him to family and friends.

    Matt Feldewerth Avatar
    Matt Feldewerth
    11/02/2018
5201 Hampton Ave.
St. Louis 63109
Phone: (314) 578-1465
Email: contact@combslawstl.com
8820 Ladue Rd STE 201,
St. Louis 63124
Phone: (314) 578-1465
Email: contact@combslawstl.com

Areas Served

We proudly represent clients throughout the St. Louis Metro area including the following municipalities and counties: Affton, Florissant, Chesterfield, University City, Oakville, Wildwood, Ballwin, Mehlville, Kirkwood, Hazelwood, Maryland Heights, Webster Groves, Ferguson, Spanish Lake, Manchester, Lemay, Overlan, Concord, Creve Coeur, Clayton, Bridgton, Jennings, St. Ann, Crestwood, Bellenfontaine, Town and Country, Berkley, Richmond Heights, Maplewood, Ellisville, Ladue, Des Peres, Sunset Hills, Brentwood, Eureka, Olivette, Sappington, St. John, Black Jac, Shrewsbury, St. Charles County, St. Louis County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, Lincoln County, and Warren County, Ste. Genevieve County

Disclaimer

The information on this site is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice. No formation of the attorney-client privilege is created by the use of this site. The choice of an attorney is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.
  • St. Louis DWI Lawyer
  • St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer
  • St. Louis Traffic Tickets Lawyer
  • St. Louis Drug Possession Lawyer
  • St. Louis Assault Charges Attorney
  • St. Louis Sex Crimes Lawyer
  • St. Louis Theft Lawyer
  • St. Louis Violent Crimes Lawyer
  • St. Louis Theft Lawyer
  • St. Charles Criminal Defense Attorney
  • St. Louis Heroin Drug Charges
  • St. Louis Drug Trafficking Attorney
  • St. Louis Meth Lawyer
  • St. Louis Drug Manufacturing Lawyer
  • St. Louis Assault Charges Attorney
  • St. Louis Juvenile Lawyer
  • St. Louis White Collar Crimes Lawyer
  • St. Louis Marijuana Possession Lawyer
  • St. Louis DWI Accident Lawyer
  • St. Louis DWI Second Offense
  • St. Louis Assault Charges Attorney
  • Federal Gun Charges Lawyer St. Louis

Combs Law Group

Contact Us
Please be aware that by contacting us you are not establishing an attorney-client relationship with anyone at this firm. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
  • Call Us

  • Email Us

Contact Us For A Free Case Evaluation

Privacy Policy