Federal Versus State: Criminal Defense Comparison

The vast majority of criminal trials take place in state courts, which can make trying a federal criminal case seem daunting for many criminal defense attorneys. Added to this is the fact that more than 90% of federal criminal matters are resolved by way of a plea bargain rather than trial. However, the number of federal criminal statutes is increasing every year, and with it, the number of federal criminal defendants. Because of this, it is prudent for criminal defense practitioners to become acquainted with federal criminal trial procedures.

This course, presented by Patrick A. Mullin, Esq., will introduce practitioners to these procedures and familiarize viewers with the various phases of a federal criminal trial, from investigation through sentencing, and highlight some of the main differences between federal criminal trial procedures and various state court trial procedures.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the phases of a federal criminal trial, from investigation through sentencing
2. Discuss the differences between federal criminal trial procedures and various state court criminal trial procedures
3. Introduce the skills necessary for defending a federal criminal trial