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 Travis County, Texas, 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.
TCDLA has a proud history of supporting and educating criminal defense lawyers in the the state while advocating for the rights of the accused. Many of the top criminal defense attorneys in Texas are active within this organization.
Founded in 1991, the ACDLA provides criminal defense attorneys with support, education and networking opportunities. Members practice in the State, County, and Municipal Court throughout Travis County, as well the United States District Courts in the Western District of Texas. The organization also fights to protect individual rights guaranteed to defendants accused of a crime in Travis County by the Texas and Federal Constitutions. Many of the top criminal defense attorneys in Austin, TX, are active in this trusted organization.
Austin Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas - The Austin Bar Association sponsors the Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, Inc. Since 1966, this non-profit Lawyer Referral Service has helped the public find a qualified attorney in Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas of central Texas. Each year more than 12,000 callers are referred to local attorneys in Travis County, Williamson County, Hays County and Bastrop County, TX.