Federal Offenses

Federal Offenses

Columbus Federal Offense Attorneys

During federal Fiscal Year 2013, U.S. attorneys secured convictions or guilty pleas in 92 percent of their cases. That startling statistic translated into prison terms and/or fines for just slightly more than 75,700 people and corporations across the United States. Even more than that, however, the high rate of success for federal prosecutors indicates that they do not proceed with an indictment or trial unless they feel confident they will prevail. Regardless of the charge, the evidence, or the location, getting charged with a federal criminal offense means you will almost certainly be punished unless you have a well-qualified, hardworking defense attorney.

Not every lawyer who handles crime cases is equipped to practice within the federal system. For starters, Title 18 of the U.S. Code—Crimes and Courts, runs to nearly 1,500 pages, and criminal violations of regulations add so many potential offenses that concerted efforts to list every single federal misdemeanor and felony have failed.

Here is just a sampling of the categories of federal crimes described in Title 18:

  • Arson
  • Bribery, graft, and conflicts of interest
  • Child support
  • Civil rights
  • Conspiracy
  • Counterfeiting and forgery
  • Gang activity
  • Embezzlement and theft
  • Extortion
  • Firearms
  • Gambling
  • Homicide
  • Identity theft/information theft
  • Kidnapping
  • Obstruction of justice
  • Perjury
  • Racketeering
  • Sexual abuse
  • Smuggling

 

Accusations of most of these types of charges involve actions taken across state and country boundaries. Collecting information from and about alleged victims and claimed activities often takes months even after an arrest has been made and court proceedings have begun.

Add to this reach and complexity the fact that dozens of agencies, departments, and offices each have their own law enforcement branches and rules for operation, and you get a situation where a person who has never studied the federal system closely and navigated its intricacies can get overwhelmed quickly.

A further consideration is that so many federal offenses carry harsh penalties. One recent count found 41 crimes that can bring federal death sentences. Even what some may consider fairly minor crimes like tampering with mail or misrepresenting the results of government-required inspections can send people convicted of committing such offenses to prison for many years. The financial consequences of a federal conviction can also be devastating. Fines for corporations often range into the tens of millions of dollars, and billion-dollar settlements of federal fraud cases are becoming common.

 

Get the Help You Need

Finding an experienced federal criminal lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, is not always easy. The vast majority of criminal charges and legal proceedings move forward under city and state statutes and court rules that apply locally but not elsewhere. County systems handle most misdemeanor and felony cases outside of Ohio’s large cities. The attorneys who do assist defendants facing federal charges can be too busy to accept new clients.

While Leist Warner cannot promise to take every case, we know federal law and have operated in the U.S. courts system for many years. We also offer no-cost case consultations, so we can answer initial questions and point you in the right direction to find the resources and legal representation you need even if we are unable to serve as your advocate.

Do not face a federal investigator or U.S. attorney on your own and without advice. Contact us today.

While Leist Warner cannot promise to take every case, we know federal law and have operated in the U.S. courts system for many years. We also offer no-cost case consultations, so we can answer initial questions and point you in the right direction to find the resources and legal representation you need even if we are unable to serve as your advocate. Do not face a federal investigator or U.S. attorney on your own and without advice. Contact us today.



Why choose us