If you have been charged with a federal crime, you need to hire a Federal Crimes Lawyer. Not all attorneys are experienced with dealing with the court at the federal level. There is a major difference when you are in court being charged with a crime by the federal government and one that is just at the local or even the state level. When dealing with the court system at the federal level, your attorney has to be familiar with the federal laws regarding the crime you have been charged with. They can be different than the local laws, and they can have much harsher penalties, which is why you want someone who is very familiar with the federal laws. Some of the crimes at the federal level have mandatory sentencing, meaning if you are found guilty , you will automatically have to serve that amount of time. It is not up to the judge as it is at local and state levels.