Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Federal Criminal Defense

Talented Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving the Citizens of Philadelphia

If you suffer a heart attack, you will not call a dentist. You will see a doctor that can help you save your life and cure your heart issues. Although everyone seems to agree with this in the area of medicine, the same rationale and the same thought process applies in the legal world. If you are under investigation by the federal government (e.g. FBI, DEA), you should look for a lawyer that focuses his or her practice on federal criminal defense cases, and not on shoplifting or DUI tickets.

The Criminal Defense Firm Is a Federal Criminal Defense Firm, Only Federal Cases

The Criminal Defense Firm is a team of former Department of Justice prosecutors, former Assistant and Special Assistant United States Attorneys, former federal prosecutors, and senior federal litigators.

The Criminal Defense Firm does not use junior lawyers or paralegals. Real trial attorneys and federal defense attorneys with more than 1,000 federal cases handled and more than 500 criminal trials conducted will defend you.

So, who will represent you if you become our client? The Criminal Defense Firm client commitment is very simple: we do not delegate, we do not use junior lawyers, and we do not wall you off with secretaries. If you become our client you will be represented by true federal litigation veterans.

Here Is Why Being Under Federal Investigation Is Now More of a Philadelphia Reality Than Ever Before

Federal law enforcement in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is at all times high. Supported by federal law enforcement agencies such as the DEA, the FBI, the IRS, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Office of Inspector General, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to aggressively investigate and prosecute federal offenses in the Philadelphia area. Almost no day goes by without reports of new arrests, search warrants, and criminal charges. Among the offenses that are on the top of government enforcement in Pennsylvania are the following:

• Conspiracy to Distribute Furanyl Fentanyl, Carfentanil, Methamphetamine, Heroin, Marijuana, or Cocaine etc.

• Opioid Prescription Investigations (21 U.S.C. 841, 846)

• Health Care Fraud (Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, Kickbacks)

• Financial Fraud (e.g. Bank Fraud, Tax Fraud)

• Computer & Internet Offenses

In this climate of scrutiny, it has never been easier for a business or individuals to get on the government’s radar. When this happens, the quality of legal advice can make a substantial difference in the outcome. With penalties ranging from 0-10 or 0-20 years for most federal felonies, there simply is no time to hesitate or to experiment.

What Are Signs that You May Be Under Federal Investigation?

While some people find out about an investigation by way of rumors, most people in Pennsylvania typically learn about a case in one of three ways: (i) federal arrest, (ii) federal agents show up, or (iii) notice from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

• Federal Arrest. By far the scariest and most intrusive way to find out about a federal criminal case is a federal arrest. With the authorization of a federal magistrate judge, agents typically come to the target’s house in the early morning hours and take the defendant into custody. If this has happened to you (or to avoid this situation), you should immediately consult with experienced lawyers to secure a bond, to protect your rights, and to plan the next steps from here in particular the defense strategy. In general, it is important to understand that an arrest, or a criminal charge, does not mean that someone is “guilty.” However, by executing the arrest warrant the government signals that their lawyers are seriously pressing charges and moving forward with the case. This is the time to act, not to hesitate. The more time the government now has, the more difficult it is to defend the case. The experienced federal attorneys of The Criminal Defense Firm will be able to answer your most pressing questions: What does all of this mean? What is the government’s objective? How bad is the situation? Am I looking at jail or prison time? What can I do to fight the accusations?

• Federal Agents Interview. Quite often clients contact us because they heard that agents are interviewing friends, business affiliates, former employees, family members, or even the client himself in an effort to investigate a case. If this happens to you, caution is in order. Even though agents will typically assure you that the investigation is not about you, not really a big deal and that they only have a “few questions,” those statements are rarely true. Agents of the FBI, DEA, OIG, IRS, ATF, and other agencies are trained, paid, and expected to investigate federal criminal cases and to prepare criminal charges. Clients that contact The Criminal Defense Firm will learn that it is a federal felony to mislead an agent and that it is never ever a good idea to agree to an interview without experienced lawyers approving and attending. More practically, once a law firm informs an agent that you are represented, you will be under the lawyer’s umbrella, and the agent is no longer allowed to contact you in the absence of the judge’s order.

• Subpoena & Target Letter. The two most common ways for the Department of Justice in Pennsylvania to reveal a pending investigation are grand jury subpoenas and target letters. Under the 5^th Amendment, the U.S. Constitution delegates the decision to charge someone with a federal felony to a pool of 16-25 jurors, the federal grand jury. Because the grand jury must base its decision on information, grand jurors often issue grand jury subpoenas to businesses or individuals that they expect to have the type of information needed to make a charging decision. By contrast, a target letter means that the government has already pretty much concluded that you have committed a crime or helped someone else (typically in a criminal conspiracy). While most people find target letters (rightfully) extremely scary, The Criminal Defense Firm sees the advantage of the target letter when compared to, for example, simply executing a search or arrest warrant. A target letter informs an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer of the potential future charge, and allows us to open a dialogue with the prosecutors to find a case resolution by explaining, clarifying, and introducing the true facts of the case before and often instead of charges actually being filed.

The Criminal Defense Firm vigorously defends the people of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when facing federal law investigations. We are a team of former Department of Justice Trial Attorneys, former Assistant and Special Assistant United States Attorneys, and former federal prosecutors previously in charge of federal investigations at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Clients Trust The Criminal Defense Firm

The Criminal Defense Firm is a team of former Department of Justice prosecutors and veteran federal defense attorneys that represents the good people of Pennsylvania against government investigations and federal charges. With more than 1,000 federal cases handled and more than 500 criminal trials conducted, our attorneys have the experience to provide effective legal advice in times of crisis.

1. Government Careers

Because few people may know more about federal investigations than those that were previously in charge of them, The Criminal Defense Firm formed a team of long-time defense counsel and former federal prosecutors. Our client will consult with and hear the opinion and assessments of former Department of Justice officials to understand exactly how the government operates and what techniques and strategies to apply to intervene in the investigation.

2. Our Federal Experience

Unlike doctors, lawyers are not allowed to say that they are specialists. However, The Criminal Defense Firm can represent to its Philadelphia clients that the firm’s practice is dedicated and devoted to federal cases only. Practicing federal law day to day, building a reputation and relationship with federal prosecutors and federal case agents, arguing in front of federal judges, appearing before federal juries, and negotiating with federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, the Philadelphia U.S. Attorney’s Office not just by the occasion but as a form of constant, ongoing legal practice helps exercise, practice, and shape our knowledge and skillset of federal litigation.

3. Client Dedication

The Criminal Defense Firm does not let associates, paralegals, or legal secretaries lead the defense for any client in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Each lawyer of The Criminal Defense Firm has a distinct background with respect to federal litigation and federal law defense work. Together, we are a strong team, strong enough to stand up for you and challenge the government lawyers with compelling arguments and demonstrated negotiation and litigation skills.

Call Our Dedicated Federal Criminal Defense Team In Philadelphia Now: Free & Confidential

The federal criminal defense attorneys of The Criminal Defense Firm are serving clients in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and are now available to discuss your case. Find out how long-time prosecutors assess your case and what recommendations experienced defense lawyers offer in a free and confidential consultation. Contact our skilled team today.