Human Trafficking Attorney in San Diego County, California

Leading Human Trafficking Lawyers in San Diego County, CA

Human Trafficking

At the Griffin Law Office, APC, our human trafficking attorney in San Diego County knows that, by nature, federal charges are generally more severe than their state counterpart.

They are also pursued by federal agencies and their attorneys that have significant resources that may be less available to California state prosecutors.

That means federal prosecutors are going to be expertly prepared to pursue the penalties that come with your alleged crimes.

Choosing a criminal defense attorney who has never successfully handled cases in the U.S. District Court Southern District of California could mean the difference between a positive outcome and a prison sentence.

If you have been charged with a federal crime, contact our skilled San Diego federal criminal defense attorney to learn more about our experience, our results, and — more importantly — how we can help you.

Why Am I Being Charged with a Federal Crime in San Diego County, California?

At the Griffin Law Office, our skilled federal crimes attorney in San Diego explains to each of our clients that a crime becomes a federal offense when it violates U.S. federal or multiple state laws and will be tried in a federal court before a federal judge.

Common federal crimes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Immigration-Related Offenses, including Human Smuggling and Trafficking
  • Drug Crimes, including Drug Smuggling and Trafficking
  • Bribery
  • Copyright Theft
  • Corruption
  • Cybercrimes
  • Embezzlement
  • Espionage
  • Firearm Offenses
  • Fraud and Other White-Collar Crimes
  • Healthcare Fraud
  • Identity Theft
  • Money Laundering
  • Sex Crimes
  • Wire, Bank, or Tax Fraud

In addition, any crime committed on federal property or against a federal representative will also be charged as a federal crime.

To understand the extent of your federal charges, and the evidence the U.S. Attorney’s Office has to use against you, contact our skilled San Diego federal crimes attorney today to discuss your case.

Can I Be Charged With Human Trafficking for Transporting Unauthorized Immigrants into California?

Human smuggling and human trafficking are two very different criminal charges, but both are pursued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) / Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Human smuggling involves the provision of a service — including transportation or fraudulent documents — to an individual who voluntarily seeks to gain illegal entry into the United States from a foreign country.

Human trafficking involves the exploitation of men, women, or children for the purposes of forced labor or commercial sex crimes.

It is possible the crime may start out as human smuggling but quickly turn into human trafficking, based on how federal officials interpret the intent of those who are providing transportation services.

Illegal immigration of any type involves very serious federal charges and requires a skilled San Diego federal crimes defense attorney to help outline the facts of the case and help pursue lesser charges.

At the Griffin Law Office, our experience and skill in handling these important cases will allow you to understand your legal rights and options to make informed decisions about the direction of your case.

Can I Be Charged With Drug Trafficking for Transporting Drugs into California?

Drug Trafficking

Drug smuggling involves moving drugs from one state to another or even one country to another.

To be charged with drug smuggling, the substance must be illegal, or if not, the smugglers must actively avoid paying customs duties and taxes.

Simply transporting the drugs across state lines or international borders is smuggling, but if there is an element of selling the drugs, then the charge moves into the drug trafficking category.

No matter which you have been charged with, you will need an experienced federal crimes defense attorney in San Diego who can build the best legal strategy for your unique needs.

Contact us today to learn how we can help.

What Federal Agencies are Involved in Criminal Charges Brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office?

Federal crimes are pursued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and/or representatives from within a federal branch of government, and often begin with an investigation by federal law enforcement officials that have expertise in the field in which the alleged crime was committed.

That may include one or more of the following federal law enforcement agencies working in tandem:

  • Internal Revenue Service
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Central Intelligence Agency
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Customs and Border Protection
  • Immigration and Customs Enforcement / Homeland Security Investigations
  • S. Postal Service

Federal detectives often use covert investigations, resources, and methods to build their cases before the accused is even aware of their investigation. A federal agency is under no legal commitment to notify a suspect that they are investigating him or her for any reason.

The serious nature of federal crimes, as well as the differences between state and federal court systems, requires you to be represented by a federal criminal defense attorney in San Diego who has experience on both the local and federal levels. We can help.

Can I Be Charged with a State and Federal Crime at the Same Time in California?

It is absolutely possible to be charged at the state and federal levels for the very same criminal activity.

For example, transferring amounts of methamphetamine from San Diego County to Orange County is a state felony. But, if an individual carried methamphetamines from California to Nevada, he or she has crossed federal borders between states, implying that a trafficking charge is now a federal criminal offense.

This person could also be facing state felony trafficking charges for carrying drugs throughout county lines and charges for transferring drugs throughout state lines. In that case, each charge will be dealt with independently, which can definitely complicate this person’s defense.

Understanding these types of cases and which crimes are considered federal crimes in California requires a more thorough explanation of each offense and how it may impact the government’s case against you.

If a federal agency opens an investigation against you, it is crucial that you act quickly.

Many people do not understand that when dealing with federal criminal charges, the stakes are high, and their freedom is at stake. Partnering with an experienced San Diego County criminal defense attorney like Patrick Griffin is one of the most important steps in preparing for federal charges, so you can pursue the best outcome available for your unique circumstances.

How Can the San Diego Federal Criminal Defense Attorney at the Griffin Law Office Help?

Just because you have been charged with a federal crime does not mean you are guilty of committing a federal crime.

Until your case is heard in court, it is not certain it will go to trial.

Our skilled San Diego federal criminal defense attorney may be able to reach an arrangement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to pursue a dismissal, reduced charges, or another alternative for your case, so together with our clients, we can make informed decisions about their futures.

Should your case proceed to trial, our federal criminal defense attorney will be ready to fight.

Federal crimes often carry serious financial and legal penalties that typically include lengthy prison sentences. For example, if you are facing federal criminal charges for money laundering in San Diego County, you could be facing up to 20 years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines if convicted.

Federal drug charges penalties may start at a possible 3 to 5 years in jail, depending on the factors that could be considered and the nature of the crime. In addition, there are also fines that can go up to $20,000. But, with each enhancement, such as using a minor to distribute the controlled substances, the charges work together and increase the penalties.

At the Griffin Law Office, our accomplished federal criminal defense lawyer in San Diego understands the extremely emotional, psychological, and financial stress that results from being investigated, charged, or arrested for a federal crime.

When your very freedom is at stake, you need a skilled federal criminal defense attorney who is trusted to produce tangible results inside and outside the courtroom, so you can pursue the best outcome with a true legal advocate by your side.

Call us now to learn how we can help you understand the federal charges and potential penalties you face, so together we can build the best defensive legal solutions available for your unique needs.

We have managed over 1,000 criminal defense cases in San Diego County and have an extensive list of satisfied clients. We take cases to trial when necessary and we litigate every issue. The key to winning a federal criminal defense case is to leave no stone unturned and to explore every option.

That is who we are.

Contact our skilled San Diego County federal criminal defense attorney to learn more about your legal rights, the best way to minimize your damages, and how we accomplish favorable outcomes for each of our client’s unique needs by calling 619-269-2131 to discuss the details of your case today.

Do not leave your future to chance. We can help.

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