Federal Crime Lawyer – Chicago | Hinsdal
Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
When faced with federal crime charges, you immediately feel the weight of the charges brought against you and already understand the intrinsic complexity of the battle before you. Radically different than charges brought by the state, federal criminal offenses are multifaceted with severe penalties imposed following a conviction. The federal prosecutors working to convict you not only have extensive resources but also expansive experience in prosecuting those accused of federal crimes. When faced with criminal charges in federal court, you need an experienced attorney by your side to help you develop an effective defense and aggressively fight for your rights.
Federal Crimes – A Violation of Congressional Laws
Federal charges are brought when the crimes committed violate laws passed by Congress, also known as federal laws. Federal criminal charges area quite different than state criminal charges which violate laws passed by state or local lawmakers. Federal and state laws often coincide, making matters even more complex. In addition, processes and penalties related to federal cases are intricate and often based on the gravity of the charges as well as the jurisdictions in which the alleged crimes occurred.
In many cases, you were likely under surveillance by law enforcement – DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation), ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives), Federal Marshalls, state police, local police – prior to your indictment at which time every detail of your life was scrutinized. Given the unlimited resources and tenacity of these agencies, extensive evidence will have been gathered regarding the alleged federal crimes. This information will be used to build a strong case against you to be used by federal prosecutors in court.
Federal Prosecutors – U.S. Attorneys
In most cases in which the United States is a party, the United States Attorney’s Office prosecutes federal criminal cases. There are 93 United States Attorneys assigned to 94 federal districts under the direction of the United States Attorney General. Appointed by the President, these attorneys serve as “chief law enforcement officers in their jurisdiction” whose mission is to see “that the laws be faithfully executed.” They are responsible for the prosecution of criminal cases brought by the Federal Government, utilizing the vast resources available to them working with the DEA, FBI, ATF, as well as local law enforcement.
Federal prosecutors work diligently to build comprehensive cases based on an often massive amount of evidence collected in the months or years prior to bringing any charges against you, the accused. They may have access to electronic surveillance recordings, as well as the testimony of undercover agents, informants, and others documenting your alleged illegal activities. In many cases, they have a well-prepared case designed to convict you before you have any indication you are about to accused or indicted.
Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
Given the intensity with which the prosecution has prepared the case against you, choosing the right criminal defense attorney can be key in obtaining a positive result in your case. You need a professional attorney experienced at defending federal criminal charges and licensed in the federal court where your case will be heard. If not licensed, the attorney you chose will need one-time permission to practice in the federal court district handling your impending case.
You want a lawyer who can come alongside you and guide you through the intricacies of your case. Your federal criminal defense attorney should defend federal cases on a regular basis and have a track record of success in federal court. You should review the attorney’s background and credentials in regard to defending federal criminal cases before making your final selection.
At the Law Office of Robert Kerr, LLC, we have the needed experience with federal cases to defend your rights and build an aggressive defense against your federal criminal charges. We will work tenaciously to evaluate the evidence compiled against you as well as the legal aspects involved in your case and build the strongest possible defense to attack the weaknesses in the government’s case against you. Through our intensive investigation, superior legal analysis, and procedural tactics we will work on your behalf to suppress evidence when possible and challenge the damaging testimony of witnesses to the case.
Building Your Federal Criminal Defense
The key to defending the federal criminal charges against you is discrediting the evidence gathered in an effort to convict you. Your attorney will begin fighting for you pre-trial in a number of ways long before your case makes its way to federal court.
Among the first efforts toward your defense is discovery. During discovery, your attorney will request information from the prosecution’s evidence, including but not limited to:
- Surveillance recordings, audio, video, and photographic evidence gathered by all law enforcement agencies during the investigation
- All law enforcement agency reports
- All witness statements
- Any statements made by law enforcement agencies about you or your case
- Any statements you made to law enforcement officials
- Lab reports related to the investigation.
A careful analysis by your attorney of this evidence will indicate the amount of damaging evidence as well as determine the next course of action to be taken in your defense. Following what is learned during the discovery process, your attorney will work toward getting your charges reduced, or if your attorney feels there is not sufficient evidence for a guilty conviction, he will attempt to get your charges dismissed all together.
Careful examination of the evidence will help your attorney find any inconsistent information or inaccuracies in the evidence which can be used to discredit portions of the federal government’s case against you. In addition, this scrutiny of the evidence gathered, will allow your attorney to file any pre-trial motions needed to suppress evidence from consideration by the judge or jury or to exclude evidence from the trial completely.
While not all federal criminal cases go to trial, the attorney you choose should prepare for that eventuality throughout the process. Each case is unique, considered on its own merits during trial preparation. Your trial preparation may result in your attorney leveraging the evidence for a dismissal or negotiating a favorable plea deal on your behalf. Even so, each case should be prepared as if it is be going to trial, and your attorney must be able to communicate to judge and jury in the event that it does.
Should your federal criminal case go to trial, your attorney will be called on to protect your rights and present a strong defense in your case. The federal system’s sentencing guidelines processes are unique and quite different from state and local courts. Only a criminal defense trial attorney who is experienced in federal cases can develop the defense needed amid the complex procedures of the federal court system.
Don’t Wait Until You Have Been Charged with Federal Crimes
If you know or suspect you are the subject of an investigation related to federal crimes, the time to contact a seasoned federal criminal defense attorney is now. It is to your advantage to seek representation before charges are brought against you. A federal criminal defense attorney can provide the guidance you need if you believe you are the subject of an investigation or if you have already been subpoenaed. Reliable criminal defense representation can handle grand jury investigations. By seeking assistance early, you may find your federal criminal defense attorney can potentially prevent you from being charged with federal crimes, or have the charges against you reduced.
If charges have already been leveled against you, it is imperative that you contact a trustworthy criminal defense attorney, like the team at the Law Office of Robert Kerr, LLC, to take your case and protect your rights. We are experienced in handling federal cases, and completely understand the court rules, procedures, and case law. We have the federal court experience needed to get you the best possible outcome in your case.
If charges have been filed, you essentially have two options – a plea agreement or trial. Should you choose to go to trial, you need a federal criminal defense attorney who can confidently argue your case before a jury, aggressively cross-examine witnesses, effectively advocate to the judge, and tenaciously challenge the prosecutor on your behalf. The federal system is adversarial by nature, even more than state or local systems. Criminal trial skills and courtroom experience contribute to the ability to strategize on your behalf developing potential defenses as well as strategies like calling expert witnesses and investigators.
In cases involving federal crimes, your attorney needs intensity and attention to detail as criminal laws are continually tested and altered. These changes mean attorneys must be away of these changes in every area, while specialized enough to benefit your case.
Even if you have already been convicted and area considering an appeal, be aware that the knowledge and expertise of your attorney is key in the handling of appeals in federal appellate courts.
Challenging Evidence and Protecting Your Constitutional Rights
The federal prosecutor in charge of your case is bent on a conviction based on enormous amounts of evidence including witness statements and surveillance information. After weeks, months, or years of preparing the case against you, the goal is conviction. These prosecutors are working from a position of strength, often with the backing of several law enforcement agencies as well as multiple resources – all working together toward a conviction.
Your federal criminal defense attorney knows how to challenge this evidence, ensuring your rights were not violated in the process of the investigation or the collection of evidence via surveillance, GPS tracking, and other devices. If so, your attorney will seek to have the evidence removed from the prosecution’s case. In doing so, the prosecutor’s confidence is lessened along with the strength of the case, opening the door to dismissal of the charges, favorable plea agreements, and trial victories.
Trusted, Experienced Criminal Defense in Federal Court
If you believe you may be facing criminal charges at the federal level, or you have been charged with a federal crime, the consequences you are facing can be both daunting and devastating. You need a trusted, experienced criminal defense attorney to come alongside you to aggressively protect your constitutional rights and guide you through the complex and often overwhelming federal court system, providing you with the best possible defense.
Regardless of the severity of your alleged crimes or the seriousness of your case, the Law Offices of Robert Kerr, LLC, can help. We promise to provide personalize services, along with the needed information, and advice to protect you and your interests. We have successfully defended clients in federal courts who were charged with:
- Federal White Collar Crimes including, but not limited to, wire fraud, tax fraud, mortgage fraud, Medicare fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and Medicaid fraud charges
- Federal sex crime charges
- Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) charges
- Federal drug charges including federal drug trafficking
- Federal conspiracy charges, including drug related conspiracies
- Federal violent crime charges
Federal Criminal Charges Free Consultation
At the Law Offices of Robert Kerr, LLC, our federal criminal defense attorney’s work diligently to challenge the federal prosecution attorney’s cases against you. Through exhaustive investigation, thorough discovery, expert legal analysis, concentrated pre-trial motions, and authoritative procedural tactics, our goal is to sway the jury and shift the outcome in your favor. We will build and present an effective defense throughout the stages of your case – from discovery to trial.
If you are facing federal charges, you can benefit from our aggressive criminal defense – contact us today to arrange a free consultation and learn about your defense options.