FEDERAL
OFFENSES
IT IS IMPERATIVE YOU HIRE AN
ATTORNEY WITH EXTENSIVE
EXPERIENCE IN FEDERAL COURT
Not only are there more than 4,000 federal felony offenses, but there are also a number of federal misdemeanor offenses. Additionally, there are thousands of federal administrative regulations which may also be enforced by criminal prosecution at the discretion of an administrative agency.
While defending criminal charges in state court is serious business, defending criminal charges in federal court is another matter altogether. Federal rules of procedure are unyielding, the charges are usually complex, and the stakes are exponentially higher. A conviction for a federal criminal offense oftentimes results in prison time, asset forfeiture, fines, and other serious consequences. The federal government has virtually unlimited resources at its disposal and spares no expense to investigate and prosecute its citizens. That's when the experience of a Lake County federal crime lawyer can make all the difference.
You need to make sure you hire the right lawyer for your case. Federal cases are not state cases and consequently, an attorney with a good reputation in defending state court criminal cases may not be the best choice to defend your federal criminal case. You should always ask any defense attorney you choose to consult about the number and type of federal criminal cases they have defended, their knowledge of federal criminal offenses and penalties, federal court rules and procedures, familiarity with the federal sentencing guidelines, and their experience dealing with the local United States Attorney’s office and federal judiciary.
The Stracci Law Group is a cohesive team of attorneys who not only have a lengthy history of defending federal criminal cases in Indiana, but who also play integral roles in shaping the legal future of the Northern District of Indiana.
HOW DO I KNOW I AM BEING INVESTIGATED
FOR A FEDERAL OFFENSE?
HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED, DETAINED, OR QUESTIONED BY FEDERAL AGENTS? HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED FOR A STATE OFFENSE THAT IS ALSO A FEDERAL VIOLATION?
HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED, DETAINED, OR QUESTIONED BY FEDERAL AGENTS? HAVE YOU BEEN ARRESTED FOR A STATE OFFENSE THAT IS ALSO A FEDERAL VIOLATION?
HAVE GOVERNMENT AGENTS APPROACHED YOU, SOMEONE YOU KNOW, OR THOSE WITH WHOM YOU CONDUCT BUSINESS AND ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS PRACTICES?
HAVE GOVERNMENT AGENTS APPROACHED YOU, SOMEONE YOU KNOW, OR THOSE WITH WHOM YOU CONDUCT BUSINESS AND ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS PRACTICES?
HAVE YOU RECEIVED A TARGET LETTER STATING YOU ARE THE TARGET OF A FEDERAL GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION? OR, HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW RECEIVED A GRAND JURY SUBPOENA REQUESTING PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS OR TESTIMONY BEFORE A GRAND JURY?
HAVE YOU RECEIVED A TARGET LETTER STATING YOU ARE THE TARGET OF A FEDERAL GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION? OR, HAVE YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW RECEIVED A GRAND JURY SUBPOENA REQUESTING PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS OR TESTIMONY BEFORE A GRAND JURY?
HAS A SEARCH WARRANT BEEN EXECUTED ON YOUR RESIDENCE? OR, HAS A SEARCH WARRANT BEEN ISSUED FOR YOUR BANK, COMPUTER, OR BUSINESS RECORDS OR FOR THE RECORDS OF SOMEONE YOU DO BUSINESS WITH?
HAS A SEARCH WARRANT BEEN EXECUTED ON YOUR RESIDENCE? OR, HAS A SEARCH WARRANT BEEN ISSUED FOR YOUR BANK, COMPUTER, OR BUSINESS RECORDS OR FOR THE RECORDS OF SOMEONE YOU DO BUSINESS WITH?
HAVE FEDERAL OR STATE REGULATORY AGENCIES RECENTLY CONDUCTED AN AUDIT OF YOUR BUSINESS OR FILED A CIVIL COMPLAINT AGAINST YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS?
WILL I BE ALLOWED TO POST BAIL IN A FEDERAL CASE?
Not always. In state court, a bail amount is set automatically by a judge either when charges are filed or at the initial hearing. Often all you have to do is turn yourself in, pay the assigned amount, and you are released to go about living your life while the case is pending.
In federal court, you are arrested and brought to the court for an initial hearing. During the initial hearing, the judge will ask the government if it is seeking to detain you while the case is pending. If the government says yes, the court will schedule your case for a detention hearing and you will be held in custody until that hearing. At the detention hearing, both the government and you will have the opportunity to present evidence and the judge will then decide whether you pose a flight risk or are a danger to the community. The court may decide to keep you in custody for the duration of the case, release you on an unsecured bond where you would pay no money upfront, or release you under conditions of supervision like reporting on a regular basis to a pretrial services officer or wearing an electronic monitor.
Federal cases are complex and require a specific set of talents. Don't trust your future to just any defense attorney. Stracci Law Group has decades of federal experience and is ready to put our combined talents and resources to work on your case.
Call us at 219-525-1000 so we may go to work for you.