
Have Questions?
We Have Answers!
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“How do I find a recently arrested person in San Antonio?”
Finding out where someone went after they were arrested can be difficult, and you may have to access websites online or make several phone calls. However, it can be a good start to visit the Magistrate’s Office Search Website to find information or call the Magistrate’s Office at 210-335-6111. If you have the inmate’s SID or System Identification Number you may call Central Filing (Misdemeanor Records) at 210-335-2238 or contact Felony Records’ District Clerk at 210-335-2591.
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“Can I represent myself in a San Antonio criminal case trial?”
San Antonio law allows you to represent yourself before the court under certain criteria. However, we highly advise against it. Do not risk your future! You need a criminal defense attorney who can protect your legal rights and has the necessary experience in providing an exceptional defense strategy on your behalf. Call our criminal defense firm to represent you for any criminal charges you may be facing.
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“What is a bench warrant?”
When a person fails to appear in court on a specific date after receiving a notice or order to appear, a bench warrant is usually issued. The person is subject to arrest once the warrant is issued.
If you choose to represent yourself, the court would expect you to file the correct legal paperwork and follow the complicated court procedures in your criminal case. The judge could impose harsh consequences, such as barring you from filing an important motion, if you violate the rules.

Difference Between State Offenses & Federal Offenses
While there are some similarities between federal and state court prosecutions, there are also significant differences. A San Antonio federal defense lawyer should be well-versed in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence. They should also be very knowledgeable about the Federal Guidelines.
Specific mandatory minimum penalties and federal sentencing guidelines apply in federal cases. In most cases, federal charges carry harsher penalties than state charges, particularly when it comes to drug trafficking or child pornography.
Federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Postal Service, and Customs and Border Protection typically conduct federal criminal investigations.
Investigations into state law violations, on the other hand, are typically conducted by law enforcement officers at the local, county, or state levels, such as the sheriff’s department or a local police station.
Federal Offense Classifications
Federal offenses are defined as crimes that violate federal statutes or meet federal jurisdictional requirements. If the crime falls under the authority of the Constitution, affects interstate commerce, or occurs on federally owned or controlled land, a federal court must have jurisdiction over the case.
There are numerous drug offenses that could be classified as federal crimes. There are also federal offenses such as:
- Drug Crimes & Trafficking
- Bank Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Identity Theft
- Racketeering
- Computer Crimes
- Illegal Entry
- Arson
- RICO
- Armed Bank Robbery
- Public integrity violations
- Federal Weapons Charges
- Terrorist Activities
A person can also be convicted of conspiracy to commit a federal offense if prosecutors can show that they assisted in the commission of a crime in violation of the United States Code, such as fraud or drug trafficking.