Dallas Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
Contents
- 1 Elite Federal Criminal Defense in Dallas
- 2 You Need a Powerhouse Firm in Your Corner
- 3 The Federal Authorities Are Relentless, So We Must Be Too
- 4 Understanding Federal Criminal Charges
- 5 Could It Be a Misunderstanding? Considering Alternative Scenarios
- 6 The Stages of a Federal Criminal Case
- 7 Don’t Let Your Life Be Derailed – Hire Spodek Law Group
- 8 Federal Criminal Defense Frequently Asked Questions
- 9 What is the difference between a federal and state crime?
- 10 What are some common federal crimes?
- 11 How do federal investigations differ from state investigations?
- 12 What is the burden of proof in a federal criminal case?
- 13 What are the potential penalties for federal crimes?
- 14 What is the process for a federal criminal case?
- 15 Why is it so important to hire an experienced federal defense lawyer?
Elite Federal Criminal Defense in Dallas
You Need a Powerhouse Firm in Your Corner
There’s one reason you’re on this website: you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm, to handle your federal case in Dallas. Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy, to fight your case – and save their own time. They don’t look carefully at your situation, they simply want to move on, to the next case. At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stones unturned, we do everything possible, to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results. We understand the difficulties and challenges of going through a case. If you’re accused of a crime, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today.
Sometimes, prosecutors will only be fair, if you respond with force. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty – when you could’ve won the case. The only way to truly know, is to hire a private criminal defense attorney. At Spodek Law Group, we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the leg work, to be familiar with every single intimate detail. Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings, to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency, we have a full team of lawyers available, to help you. Regardless of how tough your situation is, we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in. Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency, so we can give you the best possible legal advice. The Spodek Law Group handles cases nationwide. We have offices in NYC and Los Angeles.
Understanding Federal Criminal Charges
When you’re accused of a federal crime in Dallas, it’s a very serious situation. Federal cases are fundamentally different from state cases, in their procedures, rules of evidence, and potential punishments. Federal prosecutors have immense resources at their disposal, from the FBI to the DEA to the IRS Criminal Investigation Division. They can pursue charges across state lines, and their investigations are extremely thorough. So, what do you do, if you get hit – with one of these things? The first step is understanding exactly what you’re being accused of. Federal crimes run the gamut from drug trafficking and firearms offenses, to white collar frauds like healthcare fraud, tax evasion, money laundering and more. The scope of the alleged criminal conduct will determine the potential statutory penalties you face. For example, drug crimes like possession with intent to distribute can carry decades in federal prison, if large quantities are involved. White collar offenses frequently result in multi-year sentences as well, especially if the fraud amounts are high. But, take a deep breath. Being accused is not the same as being convicted. The government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. That’s an extremely high burden of proof.
Could It Be a Misunderstanding? Considering Alternative Scenarios
It could be that you simply did not see the bus, barreling down the street. It could be that the signature on the document was forged, by an employee with a vendetta. It could be that you had no knowledge of the illegal scheme, despite being roped into the conspiracy by bad actors. There are so many potential alternative scenarios that must be explored fully. An elite federal criminal defense attorney will dig into every possible explanation for the alleged criminal conduct. They will pour over the discovery evidence, interview witnesses, and construct a comprehensive defense strategy. The goal is to poke holes in the government’s case at every turn, creating reasonable doubt. At Spodek Law Group, we have decades of experience handling the full gamut of federal cases. Our attorneys are former prosecutors and we know all the tactics used by the government. We can anticipate their arguments before they make them, neutralizing them from the outset. And we will leave no stones unturned in pursuit of your acquittal or dismissal of charges.
The Stages of a Federal Criminal Case
To truly understand what you’re up against, it’s critical to have a grasp of the typical stages in a federal prosecution. Federal criminal cases generally proceed as follows:
- Investigation Stage: Federal agents from the FBI, DEA, IRS, etc. will use surveillance, wiretaps, financial analysis, cooperating witnesses and other tactics to build a case against alleged perpetrators. This can go on for months or years before charges are filed.
- Charging Stage: Once the investigation is complete, prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will review the evidence and decide whether to bring charges via a criminal complaint or indictment.
- Initial Appearance: If charged by complaint, you will be arrested and brought before a magistrate judge for an initial appearance where you are advised of the charges and have the opportunity to seek pretrial release.
- Arraignment: Whether charged by complaint or indictment, you will eventually be arraigned before a U.S. District Court judge, where you enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
- Discovery: If pleading not guilty, the discovery process begins where the government and defense exchange evidence, witness lists, expert reports and other information.
- Pretrial Motions: Numerous motions can be filed to exclude evidence, dismiss charges, or take other actions in preparation for trial.
- Trial: If a plea agreement cannot be reached, the case will proceed to a jury trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The defense has no burden of proof.
- Sentencing: If convicted at trial, or pleading guilty, the defendant will be sentenced by the judge based on federal sentencing guidelines and other factors.
As you can see, it’s an extremely complex and high-stakes process from start to finish. Having powerhouse federal criminal lawyers from day one is absolutely critical, to ensure your rights are protected at every stage.
Don’t Let Your Life Be Derailed – Hire Spodek Law Group
When everything you’ve worked for is on the line, you need to go with the firm that has a proven track record of success in federal cases. At Spodek Law Group, we have:
- Handled hundreds of federal criminal cases nationwide
- Secured dismissals of charges in high-profile prosecutions
- Avoided charges entirely through strategic defense at the investigation stage
- Negotiated favorable plea deals reducing potential sentences
- Taken cases to trial and won acquittals against the government’s best efforts
Our federal criminal defense attorneys in Dallas are standing by to discuss your case in a free, confidential consultation. We understand how stressful and overwhelming this situation is. But you don’t have to go through it alone. We’ll be by your side every step of the way, fighting tirelessly for the best possible outcome. Don’t trust an inexperienced lawyer with your life and liberty. Hire the elite federal criminal defense team at Spodek Law Group. One phone call can set your mind at ease. Contact us 24/7 to get started.
Federal Criminal Defense Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a federal and state crime?
Federal crimes are offenses that violate U.S. federal statutes and are prosecuted in the federal court system. State crimes violate state criminal laws and are prosecuted at the state level. Federal crimes tend to be more serious and carry harsher potential sentences. Some examples of federal crimes are drug trafficking, firearms offenses, white collar fraud, and crimes that cross state lines.
What are some common federal crimes?
Some of the most commonly prosecuted federal crimes include drug trafficking/distribution, firearms offenses, white collar frauds like healthcare fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, bribery/corruption, racketeering/organized crime cases, cybercrimes, child pornography and human trafficking.
How do federal investigations differ from state investigations?
Federal investigations are extremely thorough and make use of vast resources like surveillance, wiretaps, financial tracing, cooperating witnesses and more. They often cross multiple jurisdictions and can take months or years to build a case. State investigations tend to be more limited in scope and resources.
What is the burden of proof in a federal criminal case?
In a federal criminal trial, the burden of proof rests solely on the government. They must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which is the highest legal standard. The defense has no burden to prove innocence.
What are the potential penalties for federal crimes?
Federal crimes frequently carry potential sentences of decades in prison, along with hefty fines and other punishments like supervised release, asset forfeiture and more. The penalties are dictated by federal sentencing guidelines and the statutory maximums for the particular offense.
What is the process for a federal criminal case?
Generally, federal cases proceed through an investigation phase, followed by charges via complaint or indictment, an initial appearance, arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, potential plea negotiations, trial (if no plea deal) and ultimately sentencing if convicted.
Why is it so important to hire an experienced federal defense lawyer?
Federal criminal cases are extremely complex and high-stakes. The government has virtually unlimited resources. An experienced federal criminal defense attorney knows the system inside and out, can effectively counter the prosecution’s tactics, and give you the best chance at avoiding a conviction or minimizing the penalties.