How is federal court different from state court?

The difference between federal court and state court is that federal court moves much more quickly. Frequently, the lawyers call it the “rocket docket,” and that’s because, under the federal rules, a case must be tried within seventy (70) days unless you give up your right to a speedy trial.

That’s unlike state courts, especially in South Carolina, where criminal cases can drag on, literally, for years. So, the situation in federal court with the fast docket is that it can oftentimes work against you. What often happens in federal court is the FBI or the DEA, or whoever’s bringing the case, will investigate you for years, and then indict you, and then you have two months to get ready for trial. That is a big difference and something that people need to be aware of.