Are There Common Misconceptions About Being Charged on the Federal Level?

(The content below was transcribed from an interview done with Acacia Law. We think you'll find it much easier
and more enjoyable to read this way.)

Interviewer: Are there any common misconceptions people have about the whole process? Are they bewildered by it because they're being charged federally?

Federal Courthouses Have a More Formal Atmosphere

Acacia Law: I think there's a feeling around the federal court that's different from the state court. For starters, federal courthouses tend to be much nicer buildings with beautiful architecture, and are situated on big, open spaces.

They just have a more formal appearance to them and a more formal feeling to them. The practice in federal court is more formal. Attorneys typically speak from a podium that's there in the middle of the courtroom. So the experience has a different feeling to it. I think for the majority of people, federal court is more intimidating than state court would be.

Interviewer: I would think it would be a lot more intimidating because just the realization that the US government is charging you with a crime versus just a state government seems more frightening.

Defendants Tend to be More Distraught When Facing a Federal Charge

Acacia Law: Yes, exactly.

Interviewer: Is that what you encounter? People are a lot more distraught when they're charged federally?

Acacia Law: Absolutely, because that is a big difference.