When a loved one gets arrested by federal law enforcement officials, you and your family may feel devastated and worried for your loved one. You can offer your loved one critical assistance during the challenging process of facing federal charges. How can families support a loved one facing federal prosecution? Learning more about the things you and your loved ones can do to support a family member facing federal charges can help make the criminal justice process less stressful for them and your family.
Understand What Federal Charges Mean
First, your family should understand the differences between state and federal criminal charges. Federal charges typically involve more serious crimes that occur across state lines or national borders or involve federal government property, the postal service, or telecommunications services. Federal criminal statutes tend to impose harsher penalties for convictions than state criminal statutes do for similar offenses.
When federal prosecutors charge a loved one with a crime, your family should learn about the details of your loved one’s charges and familiarize yourself with the potential penalties and what your loved one can expect to go through in the criminal justice process, including investigation, indictment, arraignment, pre-trial proceedings, and trial. A criminal defense attorney can provide your family with the information you need to understand what your loved one will face.
Provide Emotional and Moral Support
Remaining calm and supportive can become one of the most effective ways your family can help a loved one facing criminal prosecution. Your loved one may feel substantial anxiety and stress worrying about their freedom, reputation, and future. Although you may worry about the same things, avoid rushing to judgment about your loved one’s actions or panicking about what the future may hold for them and your family. Instead, focus on providing reassurance and encouragement to help bolster their emotional resiliency. Maintaining frequent, open communication and actively listening to your loved one’s concerns, especially if the government detains your loved one pending trial, can help them manage their anxiety and stress. You can also seek counseling or join support groups to help you manage your emotions about your loved one’s situation, so that you can provide better moral support to them.
Help with Practical Matters
Your family might also help a loved one facing federal prosecution with other practical matters, such as:
- Making arrangements for bail
- Managing finances and paying bills
- Handling employment or family issues, such as calling out for a loved one or taking care of their minor children
Your family can also help your loved one keep their records and calendar organized, including making sure they attend meetings with legal counsel and court dates. However, you should remember to act responsibly on your loved one’s behalf and avoid interfering with their legal case.
Supporting Legal Defense Efforts
Although you should leave the investigation and preparing a legal defense to your loved one’s attorney, your family can still support your loved one’s defense efforts in other ways, such as:
- Assisting with putting them in contact with a reputable federal criminal defense attorney
- Gathering documents and character references
- Attending court hearings for moral support
However, your family should avoid discussing the case publicly or on social media, including refraining from conveying any statements your loved one made about the case, as those public statements may become evidence in the prosecution’s case. You and your family should ensure that you follow your loved one’s attorney’s guidance on protecting their legal interests.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
When a family member gets arrested by federal authorities for a crime, they will need you and your loved ones for support throughout the criminal justice process. Contact Guest & Gray today for a free, confidential consultation with a Texas criminal defense attorney to learn more about what your family can do to help a loved one facing prosecution for a federal offense.
