Federal Crime Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Delivering Legal Advocacy for Federal Offense Charges in Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania
Federal criminal charges come with some of the most severe penalties that a person can face. Federal offenses are often investigated by major government agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF, or Homeland Security, meaning you will need serious legal representation to build a proper defense against your charges. Convictions for federal crimes can upend your life overnight while having lifelong consequences on your record, career, and freedom. If law enforcement is currently investigating you or you have already been charged with a federal crime, arm yourself with a Philadelphia federal criminal defense lawyer who has the knowledge and skill necessary to fight back.
At van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim, you can find a team of more than a dozen criminal defense attorneys who have a long-standing history of securing favorable results for clients. We offer a unique insight into criminal defense cases, which has allowed us to develop a strong reputation among judges and prosecutors. Our lawyers are known for defending clients in high-profile cases, with a long record of success standing up to some of the toughest prosecutors around.
Federal cases escalate fast, and we will act even faster to defend you. By reaching out to a federal defense attorney in Philadelphia, PA, you can develop a fighting chance against your charges to protect your best interests.
Contact us online or call (215) 486-0123 to schedule an appointment with a member of our criminal defense team. We are always available to assist you.
When Does a Crime Become a Federal Offense?
It takes certain factors for a state crime to become a federal crime. For example, if a crime crosses state or national borders, involves federal property, or was investigated by a federal agency, it qualifies as a federal crime. Instead of these cases going before a state-level court, U.S. Attorneys will pursue them in a federal court.
These cases typically take months or years of investigation and quickly become complicated. Our Philadelphia federal crime lawyers are prepared to manage all of the complex evidence, consult expert witnesses, handle complex filings, and meet every legal obligation of your federal case.
The Types of Federal Charges a Philadelphia Federal Crime Lawyer Can Defend You Against
We have spent years defending people throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding areas against charges of federal crimes. Over those years, our attorneys have built creative and results-driven defenses against all types of federal crimes, including:
- Drug Trafficking and Distribution: Federal prosecutors often bring these charges against someone who has trafficked drugs across state or national borders or has been caught in possession of a large quantity of a controlled substance.
- Wire or Mail Fraud: Using electronic devices or the postal service to commit fraud is a federal crime. Federal prosecutors often take these charges seriously, especially when they involve financial banking institutions, government programs, or illegal activities in multiple states.
- Conspiracy Charges: By simply agreeing to commit a crime with others, you may find yourself facing conspiracy charges. These charges are usually brought against multiple parties simultaneously, which can make them especially complicated.
- Financial Fraud and Other Crimes: Fraudulently gaining assets through loans, mortgages, or other bank funds can quickly result in federal prosecutors investigating your financial records and transactions, and subsequently charging you.
- Weapons Offenses: Illegally possessing, trafficking, or using a firearm during a crime can all result in prosecutors charging you with a federal crime.
- Tax Evasion: The IRS has a lot of manpower to use if the agency suspects you of committing criminal tax fraud, failing to report all of your income, or engaging in other violations.
- Healthcare Fraud: Participating in kickback schemes, billing fraud, and misuse of government programs are all federal crimes. We are prepared to sort through the extensive documentation and digital records available to create a strong defense on your behalf.
- Immigration Crimes: Fraudulently drafting immigration documents, reentering the country after being deported, or smuggling illegal immigrants into the country are all federal crimes that law enforcement will fiercely prosecute.
The Stages of Federal Criminal Cases
Knowing what to expect in the federal crime process can help you better prepare for your future. Typically, these situations follow these steps:
Investigation
Government agencies will conduct an investigation to gather as much information as possible to build a case against you. Their investigation often includes surveillance, wiretaps, and financial audits. You may receive a subpoena during this stage that notifies you that you are being investigated.
Filing Charges and Conducting an Arrest
Once the US attorney has enough evidence against you, they will file formal charges, and a federal judge may even issue a warrant for your arrest. From there, you will be brought in before a judge for an initial appearance.
Detention Hearing
The court will then decide whether to detain you or release you before your trial. As your legal representation, we will argue on your behalf for your release before trial.
Discovery and Pretrial Motions
Next, both the defense and prosecution teams will exchange any evidence they have. At this stage, we will file any available motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, dismiss invalid charges, or weaken the prosecution's case in any way.
Plea Negotiation or Trial
Based on the case that both sides make, there may be a negotiation for a plea deal. If seeking a plea deal is the best option in your case, we will advocate on your behalf to secure the best deal possible. If there are no negotiations or a deal cannot be reached, the case will go to trial, where a judge or jury will find you guilty or innocent.
No matter what stage of a federal crime case you are in, it is never too late to defend yourself with a skilled Philadelphia federal crime lawyer. We will prepare a thorough defense on your behalf, regularly communicate with you, and fight for you at every stage of your case.
Why You Need a Federal Crime Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
In addition to the heightened level of difficulty it takes to properly defend against federal criminal charges, the penalties for these crimes are often much worse than their state-level counterparts. Many federal crimes come with mandatory minimum sentences that leave little room for negotiation to reduce the consequences or even object to the sentencing. Federal prosecutors will often file multiple charges against someone to increase the stakes of these situations, and they rarely drop charges without a strong case to do so.
When every aspect of a federal case is more severe, you need to be sure that your Philadelphia federal crime lawyer has the necessary experience with the legal system to win your case or achieve a favorable outcome. All of our lawyers at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim have a long history of developing effective and battle-tested strategies for our clients.
If you or someone you love has been arrested or charged with a crime, call us at (215) 486-0123 or contact us online for a free, confidential consultation
Why Choose Our Law Firm for Your Philadelphia Federal Crime Lawyer?
We understand that federal charges will do more than just impact your criminal record. A conviction for these crimes can have a permanent effect on your finances, your family, and your professional future. To help you through your case, we will take a holistic approach in your defense to craft a legal strategy that can protect every part of your life.
Our long history of work in these types of high-profile cases has been nationally recognized by many media outlets. Our attorneys have been able to secure favorable results in these cases by taking a results-driven, comprehensive mindset that is focused on dismissals, reductions, and trial victories. As we represent you, we will take care of every aspect of building your defense, from gathering the facts to preparing for trial, all while keeping you informed about your case and how we are fighting for you.
Start Crafting Your Federal Crimes Defense Today
If you are being investigated for a federal crime or you have already been charged with one, do not wait to contact a Philadelphia federal crime lawyer. Call us at 215-486-0123 or contact us online to schedule your confidential, no-obligation, free initial consultation today. The sooner you reach out to a federal crime defense attorney in Philadelphia, PA, the sooner you can turn our courtroom strength into your defense advantage.
