Federal Criminal Defense

What Is a Federal Crime in North Carolina?

If you're facing a federal charge in North Carolina, you're not dealing with a typical local or state case. A federal crime means the U.S. government—through agencies like the FBI, DEA, or IRS—is bringing charges against you for violating laws passed by Congress, not the North Carolina General Assembly.

Federal crimes usually involve activity that crosses state lines, uses the internet or U.S. mail, occurs on federal property, or involves large-scale operations like drug trafficking, white collar fraud, or weapons violations. These cases are prosecuted under federal statutes. If your case is in federal court, it likely means the stakes are much higher—more prison time, stricter sentencing, and more powerful prosecutors. For this reason, you’ll want to speak with a federal court defense attorney in NC right away.

How Federal Charges Are Different From State Charges

When the U.S. government prosecutes you, they bring more resources, more experienced investigators, and a more complex legal system than you'd face in a state court. Federal agents often spend months or years investigating before making an arrest, which means they likely already have a mountain of evidence.

Federal court uses the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which involve complex calculations based on the type of crime, your criminal history, and aggravating factors. You may face mandatory minimums, especially in drug or firearm cases. There are also fewer chances for diversion programs or alternative sentencing than in state court. And federal prosecutors rarely offer quick plea deals without serious consequences. All of this makes early, skilled legal help essential.

Understanding the EDNC Federal Court System

If your arrest happened in eastern North Carolina or involved federal authorities operating here, your case is likely going to be heard in the Eastern District of North Carolina, known as the EDNC. This is one of three federal districts in the state. It covers cities and counties including Raleigh, Wilmington, Greenville, Fayetteville, New Bern, and Elizabeth City.

The EDNC has multiple courthouse locations. The main clerk’s office is in Raleigh at 310 New Bern Avenue. Other staffed offices are in Greenville, Wilmington, and New Bern. The clerk of court is Peter A. Moore, Jr. There are also federal courthouses in Elizabeth City and Fayetteville, although those are often unstaffed unless court is in session. Every location has strict security policies—no phones or weapons allowed, and you’ll need to bring a valid photo ID.

What Happens After a Federal Arrest?

If you’re arrested by federal agents or indicted by a grand jury, you’ll have an initial appearance in front of a federal magistrate judge. You may be held in custody or released on strict conditions, depending on whether the government argues you're a flight risk or a danger to the community.

Soon after, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will file formal charges, typically in the form of an indictment. This could be for one or several counts under different federal statutes. You’ll then go through arraignment, pretrial hearings, and possibly trial. The timeline is often tighter than state court. You may only have weeks—not months—to prepare. That’s why you need legal help fast.

Why You Want a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Many lawyers focus solely on North Carolina state court. That’s not enough if you’re dealing with federal charges. Federal law is a different system entirely, with its own rules, procedures, and sentencing guidelines. If your lawyer doesn’t routinely work in federal court, they might miss critical filing deadlines or misunderstand how your sentence could be calculated under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

You want someone who knows how to challenge federal search warrants, interpret surveillance logs, negotiate with U.S. Attorneys, and appear before federal judges and magistrates in EDNC. A defense attorney who’s active in federal court will also understand how to get you out on bond, protect your rights, and begin building a strategy even before indictment.

At Hubbard Law Firm, we represent people who are facing serious federal investigations or active criminal charges in the EDNC. We know how to deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, federal agents, and complex federal court procedures. Our office regularly handles matters in Raleigh, Wilmington, Greenville, and all EDNC locations. Whether you’ve just been arrested or you suspect you’re under federal investigation, we can step in immediately to protect your rights and your future.

White Collar Federal Crimes — White collar crimes involve allegations of fraud, deceit, or financial wrongdoing. These are serious charges often investigated by federal agencies like the FBI, IRS, or U.S. Secret Service. If you're facing a white collar offense, you could be dealing with significant prison time, asset forfeiture, and career-ending consequences—even if no physical harm was done.

These cases often turn on paper trails, bank records, and digital evidence. Prosecutors may try to increase your sentence based on the "loss amount" or the number of victims. Federal sentencing in these cases is governed by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines § 2B1.1, which can result in enhanced penalties depending on the facts of the case.

Common white collar charges include:

• Wire fraud – 18 U.S. Code § 1343
• Mail fraud – 18 U.S. Code § 1341
• Bank fraud – 18 U.S. Code § 1344
• Securities fraud – 15 U.S. Code § 78j(b) and § 78ff
• Healthcare fraud – 18 U.S. Code § 1347
• PPP loan fraud – prosecuted under § 1343 and § 1014
• False statements to federal agencies – 18 U.S. Code § 1001

An EDNC white collar crime defense attorney represents professionals, business owners, and government contractors charged with federal fraud and corruption cases in Raleigh, Greenville, and other EDNC locations.

Federal Drug Crimes — Drug offenses charged in federal court are often part of long-running investigations that involve wiretaps, informants, and multiple co-defendants. These cases usually involve the DEA, ATF, or Homeland Security and can lead to long prison terms—especially if you're charged with conspiracy or have a prior record.

Most federal drug crimes fall under Title 21 of the United States Code, and sentencing is often driven by drug quantity, prior convictions, and whether firearms or violence were involved. Conspiracy charges are especially common and can apply even if you played only a small role.

Major drug charges we defend include:

• Drug distribution – 21 U.S. Code § 841
• Conspiracy to distribute – 21 U.S. Code § 846
• Possession with intent to distribute – 21 U.S. Code § 841
• Maintaining drug premises – 21 U.S. Code § 856
• Using a communication device in a drug crime – 21 U.S. Code § 843
• Attempt or aiding and abetting – 21 U.S. Code § 846; 18 U.S. Code § 2

Our federal drug crime lawyers handle cases involving methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, and prescription drugs. Our firm also challenges search and seizure issues, unreliable confidential informants, and inflated drug weight calculations.

Federal Firearms Offenses — Gun charges in federal court are often tied to other crimes—like drug trafficking or violent offenses—but they can also be brought as stand-alone charges. These offenses are aggressively prosecuted and often carry mandatory minimum sentences, especially under 18 U.S. Code § 924, which adds years of prison time on top of other charges.

The federal system takes gun possession seriously—especially if you have a felony record, if the gun was modified or stolen, or if it crossed state lines. These cases are common in the EDNC, including in cities like Fayetteville and Wilmington.

Key federal firearm statutes include:

• Felon in possession of a firearm – 18 U.S. Code § 922
• Possession of a firearm during a drug crime or violent crime – 18 U.S. Code § 924
• Possession of a stolen firearm – 18 U.S. Code § 922
• Unlawful sale or transfer of a firearm – 18 U.S. Code § 922
• Possession of a firearm with a removed serial number – 18 U.S. Code § 922
• Unlawful possession by a prohibited person (e.g., domestic violence) – 18 U.S. Code § 922

Sentences under § 924(c) must run consecutively to any other sentence, which makes these cases especially high-risk. Our federal gun crime attorneys can challenge how the government links the firearm to the alleged crime or prove the possession wasn’t knowing or intentional.

Federal Identity Theft and Cybercrime — Federal prosecutors pursue cybercrime and identity theft cases aggressively, especially when they involve interstate wire communications, government databases, or financial systems. These crimes can involve long prison terms and fines, especially if classified as “aggravated” or tied to fraud schemes.

Digital forensics often plays a big role in these cases, and you want a lawyer who knows how to challenge metadata, search warrants for phones or computers, and the reliability of online evidence.

Typical cyber and identity-related federal offenses include:

• Aggravated identity theft – 18 U.S. Code § 1028A
• Unauthorized access to protected computers – 18 U.S. Code § 1030 (Computer Fraud and Abuse Act)
• Access device fraud – 18 U.S. Code § 1029
• Possession or transfer of false IDs – 18 U.S. Code § 1028
• Social Security fraud – 42 U.S. Code § 408
• Online threats or extortion – 18 U.S. Code § 875

Our federal identity theft lawyers defend students, professionals, and others accused of computer-related offenses—often in cases involving little or no prior criminal history.

Offenses Committed on Federal Property — If you’re arrested on federal property, the case automatically becomes a federal matter—even if it’s for something like DUI or simple assault. Common examples include crimes committed on military bases, national parks, federal buildings, or Veterans Affairs facilities. This is particularly relevant in the EDNC, which includes Camp Lejeune, Seymour Johnson AFB, and Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg).

Depending on the case, prosecutors may use the Assimilative Crimes Act (18 U.S. Code § 13) to apply state law in a federal court setting.

Federal property-related offenses include:

• Assault on federal property – 18 U.S. Code G.S. § 113
• Theft of government property – 18 U.S. Code § 641
• Possession of controlled substances
• DUI on federal land
• Trespassing or unlawful entry – 18 U.S. Code § 1382

Our federal crime attorneys know the unique procedures and military-related contexts of these cases and are ready to help whether you're a civilian or active-duty service member.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they can “explain things” to FBI agents or federal investigators. In reality, anything you say—no matter how innocent—can be used against you later. And unlike state cases, federal agents often begin investigations long before you even know you're a target.

If agents show up at your door, leave a business card, or serve you a subpoena, call a federal criminal attorney immediately. An Eastern District NC criminal lawyer can often contact the U.S. Attorney's Office to find out if charges are being considered and help steer the investigation in your favor.

Raleigh Division
U.S. District Court
310 New Bern Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27601

Greenville Division
U.S. District Court
201 South Evans Street
Greenville, NC 27858

Wilmington Division
U.S. District Court
2 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401

New Bern Division
U.S. District Court
413 Middle Street
New Bern, NC 28560

Unstaffed locations—open only when court is in session—are in Elizabeth City and Fayetteville. All locations require photo ID to enter, and electronic devices like phones are generally not allowed unless you're a licensed attorney with court permission. Always plan ahead and arrive early.