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Michigan Federal Crimes Attorney
Being charged with a federal crime is one of the most stressful legal situations an individual can face. Unlike offenses at the state or local level, there is very little if any leniency from law enforcement at the federal level. When an individual is being investigated by federal agencies such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), their life is usually turned upside down, with potentially life altering legal consequences.
Working with a federal crimes attorney is critical for individuals who find themselves in these situations. Not only will an attorney be able to advise individuals on how to best handle interactions with law enforcement, but they also will be able to formulate an effective defense strategy to ensure the best legal outcome. If you are facing federal charges, please contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys today.
Common Federal Crimes
There are a nearly endless amount of offenses in United States Code, dating back to its first official publication in 1926. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to describe all of the offenses included under its 54 titles at once. However, there are several common crimes that comprise the majority of offenses seen in Michigan federal courts, as listed below.
Fraud
When an individual is accused of defrauding the federal government, or defrauding another individual in a manner that is applicable to federal law, then they can be charged with fraud at the federal level. Because there are no two fraud cases that are alike, each case will require a unique defense strategy to ensure the best legal outcome for the defendant. Some of the most common types of federal fraud cases involve tax fraud, welfare fraud, healthcare fraud, social security fraud, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, mail fraud or wire fraud.
White Collar Federal Offenses
Federal level white collar crimes typically involve professionals and businesspeople who are misappropriating money. Because these crimes are nonviolent, they are often not viewed by the public as seriously as other crimes. However, federal prosecutors will typically pursue these cases with much more vigor than other more traditional crimes. In all of these cases, there is a distinct possibility for a conviction to result in a prison sentence, which when combined with the complex nature of white collar cases necessitates the assistance of a defense attorney specializing in white collar crimes to ensure the best legal outcome. The most common types of white collar crimes seen in Michigan federal courts are conspiracy charges, embezzlement, forgery, racketeering, money laundering, bribery, falsifying business records, or securities violations.
Drug Trafficking
Charges for drug crimes come in all different levels, ranging from local and state level offenses to federal charges for the most gevious drug offenses. Typically it becomes federal when it involves the trafficking of drugs across state lines, especially when large amounts are involved. When the federal government becomes involved in drug cases, things become very serious and it is vital that defendants have competent legal counsel on their side if they want to have any hope of a positive outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are considered federal crimes?
There are a wide variety of offenses that are considered to be federal crimes under the 54 titles of United States Code. However, there are several common ones that are regularly seen in Michigan federal courts. These include:
- Embezzlement
- Interstate Drug Trafficking
- Forgery
- Securities Violations
- Racketeering
Q. What is the difference between state and federal drug crimes?
Although this line can sometimes be blurry, generally speaking federal and state drug crimes are divided up based on whether the drugs are transported across state lines. Because of this, most state level drug charges in Michigan involve the possession and manufacture of drugs. Although the federal government can also levy possession and manufacturing charges, this typically only occurs in extreme cases involving egregious amounts of drugs. The federal government normally will only make the effort to bring charges when the individual is involved in transporting drugs across state lines, due to its implications of being involved in a larger criminal enterprise.
Q. Who investigates and prosecutes federal offenses?
The investigation of federal crimes is usually handled by an agent of a federal law enforcement agency, such as the FBI, DEA or the enforcement arm of the IRS. They gather information and put together a clear picture for a federal prosecutor to use in bringing forth formal charges against the defendant. In many cases the defendant can technically be charged with a plethora of crimes, due to most situations involving multiple crimes occurring simultaneously.
However, most federal prosecutors are pragmatic and select charges that are a “slam dunk” and guaranteed to put the defendant behind bars. A famous example of this is the case of infamous mob boss Al Capone being convicted for tax fraud despite his well known criminal enterprise involving far more serious crimes.
Q. Do I need to hire an attorney if I’m being investigated by the federal government but haven’t yet been charged?
If you are being investigated by the federal government or have had unsolicited contact from federal law enforcement, then it is absolutely essential that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. There is nothing good that can come from interactions with federal law enforcement, as they are not there to help but to gather information that can be used against you if they were to file charges.
When you retain legal counsel and utilize your right to remain silent without the presence of an attorney, some federal investigators will back off or even drop their investigation altogether. Even if they still decide to move forward with an investigation, allowing your attorney to advise you on how to answer their questioning will ensure you are in the best position possible to handle any charges brought against you.
Criminal Defense Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense
- Sex Crimes
- Drug Charges
- Misdemeanor Offenses
- Domestic Violence
- Michigan Gun Law & Firearm Laws
- Rules for Transporting Firearms in Michigan
- Manufacture, Sale, Or Possession Of Illegal Weapons
- Carrying A Firearm Or Weapon With Unlawful Intent – MCL 750.226
- Possession Of A Firearm By A Felon In Michigan – MCL Section 750.224f Copy
- Carrying Certain Concealed Weapons In Michigan – MCL Section 750.227
- Possession Of A Firearm During A Felony – MCL 750.227b
- Pointing Or Aiming A Firearm At Another Person – MCL 750.233
- Homicide
- Juvenile Offenses
- Criminal Record Expungements in Michigan
- School Offenses
- White Collar Crime
- Violent Crimes
- Embezzlement
- Theft Crimes
- Michigan Felony Defense Lawyers
- Internet Crime / Cyber Crime
- Federal Crimes
- Probation Violations
- Traffic
- The Criminal Process in Michigan
Contact Details
Contact Us
Office Locations
- OFFICE ADDRESS
444 South Washington Avenue
Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-470-4300 - AVAILABLE 24/7
Call/Text My Cell: 248-470-4300
Fax: 248-381-8894
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