Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
Being charged with a federal crime is a serious matter, as these offenses are among the most severe you can face. The prosecution's investigation into these crimes is extensive and often involves more severe offenses than other charges.
These crimes often require investigation by federal authorities, who are responsible for gathering evidence for federal prosecutors. This underscores the complexity of the legal process.
These agencies, which include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Homeland Security, the Secret Service, and others, play a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting federal crimes.
Federal Court Criminal Process
The judicial process in federal criminal cases differs from state court cases. After an individual is arrested for a federal offense, a pretrial services or court probation officer will interview the defendant and review their background.
This information will be used later to help the judge decide whether or not to release the defendant pending trial and impose conditions of release. Federal prosecutors at the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California enforce federal laws and prosecute individuals who commit a federal criminal offense.
They handle all federal crime cases in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. They work closely with federal agents to examine all the evidence gathered during an investigation.
Suppose they believe there is sufficient evidence to prosecute. In that case, they will present their case to a federal grand jury, which will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant the defendant's trial. Then, they will file a federal indictment in the United States District Court, which has jurisdiction over the case.
At the initial appearance, a federal judge will advise the defendant of the charges filed against them and will determine if there is probable cause to believe the defendant has committed a federal offense.
The judge is responsible for sentencing a defendant after a plea bargain or trial. He is required to consult the federal sentencing guidelines before making their decision.
This results in sentencing guidelines requiring much harsher penalties than a state or local charge. When facing this type of charge in the Los Angeles area, consult with a criminal defense attorney to assist you with a strong defense against any pending action against you.
Our firm can begin an effective investigation into the facts surrounding any criminal charge you may be facing.
Federal Criminal Defense in California
Our defense lawyers have decades of experience in representing clients against any type of federal offense, including child pornography, Internet sex crimes, health care fraud, mail fraud, federal identity theft, Medicare fraud, mortgage fraud, RICO Act violations, PPP loan fraud, weapons offenses, white collar crimes, and wire fraud.
We also handle federal court criminal cases related to antitrust violations, criminal appeals, bank fraud, bank robbery, bankruptcy fraud, bribery, federal conspiracy offenses, computer crimes, counterfeiting, federal drug offenses, embezzlement, extortion, forgery, insurance fraud, Medicaid fraud, money laundering, public corruption, tax evasion, federal sex trafficking, federal stalking, harbor aliens, and federal property crimes.
If you are facing these and any other type of federal crime, you can be assured that our law firm will provide you with the individual attention you will need to get through this complex legal process.
We have devoted our law practice exclusively to criminal defense, including federal criminal representation in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Ventura Counties, as well as throughout California.
Charged With an 18 U.S.C. § 1343 Wire Fraud Offense?
Wire fraud is considered a serious crime under federal law. 2 major factors determine if a crime is wire fraud:
- One willfully devised or intended to devise a scheme or means to defraud another person of money or property with the intent to defraud.
- They must do it through interstate wire facilities like telephone, television, email, or the Internet.
The penalties for wire fraud are stiff fines, imprisonment for up to 20 years, or both. However, if the violation affects a financial institution like a bank, the fine can go as high as $1,000,000, imprisonment up to 30 years, or both.
Suppose you are being investigated for or have been arrested for wire fraud. In that case, you must contact a criminal defense attorney qualified to handle and investigate this type of crime on your behalf.
Law enforcement generally investigates these types of crimes over time as they build their case. Telephone activity, financial records of various types, and email or Internet traffic are liable to be examined.
In some cases, investigators and prosecutors may contact suspects in the hopes of further incriminating them, obtaining additional evidence, expanding their investigation, or securing a plea bargain. Related law, 18 U.S.C. 1342, makes it a federal offense to use a fictitious name or address to carry out such a fraudulent scheme.
Federal Weapons Violations
Being charged with a federal weapons offense should be taken very seriously, as it can be a life-altering situation that can be difficult to recover from.
If you are charged with such a crime, your first step should be to contact a criminal defense attorney with experience and a proven track record of success in dealing with this type of offense.
You could face federal charges depending on the situation, so having adequate representation is vital. Our firm is accomplished in handling weapons cases such as:
- Possession of a firearm without a permit
- Assault weapons
- Concealed firearms
- Felons in possession of a firearm
- Illegal sales
- Possession near school grounds
- Probation violations
Law enforcement officials can be uncompromising when it comes to investigating weapons.
Under 18 U.S.C. 922(g), the crime of felon in possession of a firearm is committed when a convicted felon ships, transports, or possesses any firearm or ammunition that has been distributed in interstate or foreign commerce.
The experienced criminal defense lawyer you will work with at Cron, Israels & Stark will begin your defense by examining all aspects of the investigation conducted by the prosecution to ensure your constitutional rights are not being violated and will act assertively if they are.
Are You Facing Federal Mortgage Fraud Charges?
The subject of mortgage fraud charges has been covered in the media for some time now. It encompasses various aspects and is defined as a wide range of illegal or criminal acts in which a person deliberately or knowingly misrepresents themselves on a mortgage loan application.
Mortgage fraud is a federal offense and can also be prosecuted as a different type of fraud, including wire, bank, mail, and money laundering, with severe penalties attached.
The investigation can be lengthy and involves examining financial statements, job records, conducting interviews, and reviewing other personal information. If you are being investigated or charged with mortgage fraud, it is essential to contact a criminal defense attorney experienced in negotiating this type of investigation.
Being investigated by federal authorities is something that one would typically do with representation. The process can be lengthy and drawn out, disrupting one's life and potentially damaging one's reputation.
We can assess the circumstances of your investigation and advise you on the best course of action. If an investigation is not warranted, we will take assertive measures to have it cease or be steered in another direction.
This type of investigation also becomes complicated because, in addition to federal investigations, states are becoming more involved in investigating mortgage fraud.
Investigations involving mortgages are as complex as the real estate industry itself. It takes expertise, experience, and savvy to navigate the system and achieve a favorable outcome when dealing with a mortgage fraud investigation.
We will take action and make maneuvers to protect your rights and help you secure the most successful resolution possible. Being investigated for mortgage fraud can be a complex and unsettling set of circumstances. Contact us to review the details if you are being investigated for mortgage fraud.
Why You Need a Federal Criminal Lawyer
Suppose you are under a federal criminal investigation or have already been indicted for a federal crime. In that case, you first need to know that the Federal Court system functions quite differently from a California State Court.
They have different types of crimes, federal rules of criminal procedure, and federal sentencing laws. Federal crimes and sentences have individual criminal statutes and
sentencing guidelines. This means federal judges have much less discretion in determining an appropriate sentence.
If your defense attorney is unfamiliar with these procedures and guidelines, they may need to learn how to prepare your legal defense effectively.
This makes choosing the right law firm to handle your case critical for a favorable outcome. We can make a huge difference to your personal and professional life. We will thoroughly prepare your case to build a strong defense strategy.
Because federal prosecutors are likely to conduct extensive investigations into federal crimes charges against you, we encourage you to contact our office at Cron, Israels & Stark as soon as possible. Determining what evidence they have against you will require exhaustive research and documentation.
Federal crime charges often involve long-term investigations that require the expertise of a professional firm, such as ours, to handle numerous witnesses, financial records, warrants, and plea bargains. You can trust your defense attorneys with over 100 years of combined legal knowledge. Contact our firm today to learn how we can assist you with a robust defense.
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