If you’re facing federal criminal charges in Arlington, understanding the sentencing process is absolutely critical. Federal cases are governed by strict sentencing guidelines that often result in longer prison terms and fewer opportunities for leniency compared to state-level offenses. That’s why working with an experienced Arlington defense attorney can make a significant difference in how your case is handled—and ultimately, how you’re sentenced.
Whether the charges involve drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, or firearm violations, federal prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively. In this guide, we’ll walk through what defendants in Arlington need to know about federal criminal sentencing, including mandatory minimums, plea bargaining limitations, and how prior convictions or cooperation with authorities can impact your future.
Understanding the Difference Between State and Federal Charges
When determining whether a case is handled in state or federal court, the key factor is jurisdiction. Texas state courts—including justice, municipal, county, and district courts—handle offenses defined under the Texas Penal Code, ranging from Class C misdemeanors up to felonies, depending on severity and statutory classifications. In contrast, federal courts are courts of limited jurisdiction: they can only hear offenses created by federal law, such as crimes involving interstate commerce, large-scale fraud, or federal regulations. These cases are prosecuted in U.S. District Courts, including the Northern District of Texas, which covers Arlington and surrounding counties.
For Arlington defendants, this distinction is more than procedural—it determines everything from arresting agencies to sentencing structures. In Texas, state charges often allow for more flexible plea negotiations and judicial discretion in sentencing. Meanwhile, federal cases, pursued by agencies like the FBI or DEA, typically follow strict federal sentencing guidelines, include mandatory minimums, and proceed through formal grand jury indictments for felony charges. Understanding where your case falls—state or federal—is essential, as it influences everything from defense strategy to potential penalties and court timelines.
Common Federal Crimes Charged in Arlington
In the Northern District of Texas—which includes Arlington—federal prosecutors routinely bring cases involving drug trafficking, particularly when controlled substances cross state lines or involve large quantities. A prominent example involved an Arlington resident sentenced to over 28 years for conspiracy to distribute heroin that led to a fatal overdose. These cases fall under federal jurisdiction because they involve interstate activity, distribution networks, or violations of federal drug laws. In addition, firearms offenses, such as possession of unregistered firearms or machine guns, often trigger federal charges. Multiple cases in Fort Worth and Arlington have centered around the sale or possession of conversion devices that turn pistols into automatic weapons.
Federal fraud and cybercrime prosecutions are also common in this district. For example, Arlington individuals have faced federal mail fraud charges tied to significant financial misconduct. These offenses are prosecuted at the federal level when they involve cross-border communications, use of federal mail systems, or violations of federal statutes. Together, drug distribution, weapon violations, fraud, and cyber-related offenses represent the types of crimes that frequently lead to federal indictments in and around Arlington, triggering the involvement of agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Postal Inspectors.
The Role of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines
Federal sentencing begins with assigning a base offense level, reflecting the seriousness of the crime as defined by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. There are 43 offense levels—higher levels correspond to more severe conduct—and these are paired with a defendant’s criminal history category (I through VI) to determine a recommended sentencing range in months. For example, a defendant with offense level 22 and criminal history category I faces a guideline range of 41–51 months. In contrast, a similar offense with a higher history score leads to significantly longer recommended sentences.
Beyond the base level, enhancements can raise the offense level based on specific factors—such as obstruction of justice, leadership role, use of a weapon, or distribution of controlled substances. Meanwhile, acceptance of responsibility—such as entering a timely guilty plea—can reduce the offense level by two or three levels when criteria are met, especially at level 16 or above. Though the guidelines are advisory following United States v. Booker, federal judges still must calculate and consider them, and sentences within the guideline range are presumed reasonable under appellate review (Rita v. United States).
Mandatory Minimum Sentences: What You Need to Know
Mandatory minimum sentences are statutory requirements established by Congress that set a floor on prison time for certain federal offenses—most notably drug trafficking and firearms crimes. For example, drug offenses under Title 21 of the U.S. Code can include mandatory prison terms ranging from several years to decades, depending on the type and quantity of drugs involved and whether there was serious bodily harm or death. These mandatory sentences remove judicial discretion, meaning a judge cannot impose a lighter sentence even if individual case circumstances might otherwise justify it.
The impact of these laws is significant: in FY 2016, about 22 % of all federal convictions involved mandatory minimums, with drug trafficking accounting for nearly two‑thirds of those cases. Offenders subject to mandatory minimums received average sentences of 138 months—more than double the 67‑month average for those granted relief via safety‑valve provisions or substantial assistance to authorities. Firearms offenses under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) also carry heavy mandatory minimums, frequently imposed consecutively, resulting in average sentences of over 12 years, and sometimes well above 25 years when multiple counts apply