Have prosecutors accused you of a federal crime in Pensacola? You need an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer. At The Morris Firm, we will help you understand the charges you are facing and develop tailored defense strategies for federal charges. With an attorney from our firm on your side, you can expect the timely and direct communication you deserve.

From racketeering (RICO) charges to federal wire fraud cases to federal tax evasion charges, when you need an attorney for federal crimes, turn to The Morris Firm for comprehensive criminal defense legal services.

Why Do I Need A Federal Crimes Lawyer?

Retaining an experienced federal charges attorney is crucial when charged with a federal crime. Why? Federal criminal procedure differs from Florida state criminal procedure. A lawyer who understands the complexities of federal criminal law and how to navigate the U.S. federal court system effectively is essential for your defense. In addition, federal mandatory minimum sentences are generally more harsh than state court penalties.

This is why you need a skilled and experienced federal crimes attorney on your side. You can trust they will build a strong defense and seek the best outcome in your case. Accordingly, you may avoid having to proceed through the federal criminal appeals process. Your attorney will evaluate the purported evidence against you and develop defense strategies applicable to your specific case. This may include challenging the federal prosecutor’s theory of the case or negotiating federal plea agreements. If we cannot resolve your case through other means, your attorney will vigorously defend you at trial.

What Criminal Matters Do We Handle?

At The Morris Firm, we are committed to zealously defending you. From Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutions to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigations, we can handle it. A federal indictment attorney from our firm can assist you in the following criminal matters:

Federal Drug Offenses

If you face accusations of violating federal drug laws, a federal drug crimes attorney can defend you against the charge. Federal drug prosecuting attorneys are notorious for being tough on alleged drug offenses. That’s why you need a skilled and knowledgeable lawyer who can develop a robust defense case.

Under federal law, every drug – whether a prescription or illegal drug – is categorized under one of five schedules. When determining under what schedule the drug will be listed, the DEA considers several factors, including the drug’s potential for abuse, evidence of the pharmacological effects, and whether there is any risk to public health. The five schedules are further described as follows:

Schedule I – Schedule I drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, have a high potential for abuse.
Schedule II – These drugs also have a high potential for abuse but have a currently accepted medical treatment use. Examples of Schedule II drugs include cocaine and morphine.
Schedule III – Schedule III drugs do not pose as great a risk for abuse as Schedule I and II drugs. If these drugs were abused, there is a low to moderate physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
Schedule IV – Like Schedule III drugs, these drugs have a low potential for abuse. They also have a currently accepted medical use in treatment.
Schedule V – These drugs, such as over-the-counter cough syrups containing small amounts of codeine, have a low potential for abuse relative to Schedule IV drugs. They likewise have a currently accepted medical use.

Title 21 of the United States Code (USC) governs drug trafficking federal offenses. The severity of the penalties you may face for drug trafficking depends on various factors. These include the type and amount of the drug, whether it was your first offense, or if you crossed state or international borders.

Federal Fraud

If you face federal fraud charges, you need a lawyer with experience handling these cases. “Federal fraud” encompasses a wide range of charges typically involving misrepresentation or deception resulting in unlawful gain to the alleged perpetrator, including money laundering charges and federal wire fraud cases. It also includes certain white-collar crimes occurring in business or corporate settings, which a federal white-collar crimes lawyer is well-equipped to handle. Further, many Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cases involve federal fraud.

Someone can initiate a federal fraud action against you by filing a qui tam action under the False Claims Act (FCA). This action could be filed against you in a complaint related to a federal fraud claim against the federal government. Individuals are motivated to file these claims because they are entitled to a share of the government’s recovery if it receives a successful verdict.

The consequences of a guilty verdict in a federal fraud claim vary widely depending on the nature of the crime. However, you can expect to be subject to severe penalties, including substantial fines and a lengthy prison sentence. Federal probation and parole may be an available alternative in your case. However, such probation would likely involve strict conditions, including frequent meetings with a probation officer, drug testing, and travel restrictions.

RICO / Organized Crime

RICO criminal cases require the assistance of an attorney with a deep understanding of the complex federal laws at issue. A RICO case involves participating in a criminal enterprise which results in a pattern of racketeering activity. Specifically, the prosecutor must prove you were part of an organization with at least two racketeering acts occurring within ten years. These “predicate offenses” could be fraud and bribery or drug trafficking.

You may need a RICO defense attorney even if you did not commit these predicate offenses because a RICO case could encompass other individuals as part of a conspiracy. For this reason, even minimal connections to a criminal organization can put you at risk for RICO charges. At The Morris Firm, we have the legal skills to challenge and assert the necessary defenses to the prosecution’s demonstration of an alleged racketeering pattern.

The penalties for a guilty verdict under the RICO Act are severe. For example, you may be subject to up to 20 years in prison for each racketeering count for which you are found guilty. If the racketeering activity involves one of the aforementioned predicate offenses, you could receive a lifetime prison sentence. Judges often order those convicted of racketeering to pay significant fines up to $250,000 or twice the amount of the criminal activity (whichever is greater). Your financial circumstances may be further impacted by asset forfeiture in federal cases, meaning you may have to forfeit all the assets obtained through the criminal enterprise.

The potential for such harsh penalties highlights the need to hire an experienced RICO defense lawyer as soon as prosecutors bring any charges. At The Morris Firm, you can trust we will work hard to minimize the possible consequences of a RICO charge as we seek your best outcome.

What Defenses Can I Assert in My Case?

While several types of defenses to federal charges exist, your attorney will determine what available defenses apply in your case. Every case is different, and you can trust your attorney will thoroughly analyze the alleged circumstances that led to your charges to assert the appropriate defenses on your behalf.

Some of the categories of defenses that may apply in your case include the following:

Notice and Pre-Trial Defenses – You may use these defenses if you meet specific requirements and provide timely notice to the government to allow the prosecutor to object. Examples of such defenses include insanity, selective prosecution, and venue, among others.
Specific Intent Defenses – If the charge against you requires you had criminal intent at the time of the alleged crime, you may be acquitted if you can prove you lack the necessary intent. Examples of specific intent defenses are negating mens rea, automatism, and advice of counsel.
Affirmative Defenses – Although the government typically has the burden of proof in most criminal cases, some defenses require that you demonstrate you have satisfied the elements of the defense. Known as “affirmative defenses,” these include duress, self-defense, and entrapment.

When Should I Contact a Federal Crimes Lawyer?

It is best to retain a federal criminal defense attorney immediately after your arrest or at the outset of an investigation. Having an attorney on your side from the start means they will be better positioned to work with the federal prosecutor and law enforcement in the investigation. It also allows your attorney to quickly initiate their own investigation of the alleged facts and circumstances of the matter, collect the necessary evidence to defend you, and interview witnesses that may strengthen your case. Don’t wait to hire a lawyer. You can best protect your rights by retaining counsel as soon as possible. This allows them to get to work on seeking your best outcome.

Contact The Morris Firm Today

From cybercrime federal defense to cross-border crimes defense, if you face federal criminal charges in Pensacola, we can help. At The Morris Firm, we understand how stressful this time in your life may be. From explaining federal sentencing guidelines to defending clients at grand jury indictments, your federal charges attorney will be the legal advocate you need. Call us today at (850) 503-2626 or contact us online to speak to a federal crimes lawyer in a free case evaluation.