San Antonio Federal Offense Lawyer
Last updated on August 24, 2026
What constitutes a federal offense? Most of the people who end up in the criminal justice system in San Antonio face prosecution for state offenses charged under the Texas Penal Code. Many of my clients at the Law Office of Kerrisa Chelkowski, however, need help with federal criminal charges. In some cases, federal charges involve crimes that would be charged by the state government, except for the fact that they occur on federal property.
This can include such charges as:
- Assault
- Robbery
- Certain drug crimes
- Theft
- Sex crimes
- Bank fraud
- Computer crimes and internet fraud
Whether you have been arrested or are still under investigation for a federal crime, come to my firm for help. You need a San Antonio federal crimes lawyer who has been admitted to practice in federal court, a distinction that cannot be claimed by all of the criminal attorneys in this city. I am a member of the Federal Bar Association and have been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts of the Western, Southern and Northern Districts of Texas, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States.
Arrested for a federal offense? My firm is prepared to provide an aggressive defense. Contact us today to get started.
Federal Vs. State Crimes
Federal crimes are offenses that violate federal laws or statutes that are enacted by Congress and are prosecuted by federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Examples of federal crimes include drug trafficking across state lines, tax evasion and mail fraud.
On the other hand, state crimes are offenses that violate state laws or statutes that are enacted by the state legislature and are prosecuted by state law enforcement agencies such as state police departments or county sheriffs. Examples of state crimes include assault, theft, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
One key difference between federal and state crimes is jurisdiction. Federal crimes generally involve violations of federal laws that occur across state lines or involve federal agencies, while state crimes involve violations of state laws that occur within the boundaries of a specific state.
The severity of the penalties for federal and state crimes can also differ. Federal crimes are typically associated with longer prison sentences and harsher fines, while state crimes may have more lenient penalties depending on the severity of the crime and the state’s laws.
Overall, while federal and state crimes share many similarities, they are distinct in terms of jurisdiction, the laws they violate and the penalties associated with them.
Does A Felony Charge Ever Go Away?
Texas does not make it easy to clear a felony from your record. In most cases, a felony conviction stays on your record permanently. But there are situations where you may be able to hide or seal that record from public view. Two legal tools help with this:
- Expunction: This completely erases a felony arrest from your record. You may qualify if your charges were dismissed, a jury found you not guilty or the prosecutor decided not to pursue your case.
- Order of nondisclosure: This seals your record from the public but does not erase it completely. Certain government agencies can still access it. If you completed deferred adjudication probation for certain offenses, you may qualify for this option.
It is important to understand the difference between an arrest and a conviction. A full felony conviction, where a judge or jury found you guilty, is much harder to clear. In most of those situations, expunction is not available under Texas law.
When Does A Felony Go Off Your Record?
Time alone will not erase a felony from your record in Texas. The state keeps felony convictions on your record permanently unless you take legal action to change that. In some cases, the law allows people to have their records sealed or expunged. The best way to know where you stand is to look closely at the details of your case.
What Is The Statute Of Limitations In Texas?
The statute of limitations is the time limit the government has to formally charge someone with a crime. Once that deadline passes, prosecutors generally lose the right to bring charges – even if there is strong evidence against someone. In Texas, the time limit depends on the type of crime involved. Here is a general breakdown:
- No time limit: Some crimes carry no statute of limitations, meaning charges can be filed at any point. These include murder, manslaughter, human trafficking, continuous trafficking of persons and certain sexual offenses, including sexual assault of a child.
- 10-year limit: This covers arson, forgery, injury to an elderly or disabled person and theft involving public officials or fiduciaries.
- Seven-year limit: Felonies such as fraud, money laundering, identity theft, credit card abuse, bigamy and exploitation of a child or older adult fall under this.
- Two-year limit: Misdemeanors, such as burglary, assault and first-offense driving while intoxicated, fall under this limit.
If the accused leaves Texas, the time spent outside the state typically does not count toward the deadline. The same applies while a felony indictment or complaint is still pending.
Get A Reliable San Antonio Federal Crimes Lawyer
Federal prosecutors have immense resources at their disposal for the investigation of crimes and the preparation of their cases. If you find yourself in the crosshairs of federal law enforcement, you must take immediate action to defend yourself. As your San Antonio federal crimes attorney, I may be able to intervene on your behalf with the investigators in order to have the case dropped. Even if you have already been arrested, you can vastly improve your chances of avoiding a conviction by getting me involved now.