While most criminal offenses are prosecuted in state court, the United States federal courts also have jurisdictions over certain types of criminal offenses.
In the federal courts in and around San Diego County, California, the prosecuting attorneys with the United States Attorney's Office (USAO) prosecute criminal offenses.
Jurisdiction to prosecute the case within the federal criminal justice system can occur because the crime impacts interstate commerce, the crime occurred on land owned by the federal government or an Indian reservation, or the allegations involve a loss or harm to the federal government.
Criminal defense attorneys in federal court fight serious felony charges, minor federal offenses, petty felony offenses, and infractions.
Cases in the federal criminal justice system can include everything from tax evasion to drug or firearm charges, to civil rights violations.
Founded in 1958, NACDL is the largest organization for criminal defense lawyers fighting to preserve fairness within America's criminal justice system. The organization has more than 10,000 direct members including criminal defense attorneys in private practice, public defenders in state or federal court, U.S. military defense counsel, law professors and judges.
CACJ works to preserve due process and defend the rights of the accused while providing quality continuing legal education courses to criminal defense lawyers in the State of California.
The CDBA is a non-profit voluntary organization of criminal defense lawyers in the greater San Diego area of California. The CDBA provides networking, training and quality continuing education opportunities to many of the top criminal defense in San Diego, CA. This respected organization helps attorneys defend their clients on misdemeanor, juvenile and felony charges throughout the various courthouses in San Diego County.
San Diego County Lawyer Referral Service - The Lawyer Referral Service is a community based non-profit service sponsored by the San Diego County Bar Association. Since 1952, the lawyer referral service has helped the public find a qualified attorney throughout San Diego County in a variety of practice areas.