Dayton Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Handling Federal Crimes in Ohio with Hard-Hitting Defense

While both state and federal crimes merit immediate legal attention, federal crimes require serious legal representation due to the severe penalties they carry. When a defendant is charged with a serious crime, federal prosecutors and law enforcement have likely spent considerable time investigating.

Choose an experienced Dayton, OH federal criminal defense team as soon as you are aware you may be the target of an investigation. If possible, do not wait until you are summoned to appear before a magistrate.

Get a strong defense from our Dayton federal crime lawyers at L. Patrick Mulligan & Associates, LLC by calling (937) 685-7006 or submitting an online contact form today. We serve Hamilton, Brown, Allen, Clermont, Warren, Montgomery, and Butler counties.

Federal Cases We Handle

Our team at L. Patrick Mulligan & Associates, LLC can carefully examine the charges brought against you, get up to speed on a case the government has likely built over time, and craft a strong defense. We will do everything possible to neutralize your case.

Our Dayton federal criminal defense attorneys have handled the following kinds of federal crimes:

• Assault
• Sex crimes
• Drug crimes
• Criminal appeals
• Theft crimes
• Weapon crimes
• Murder

Difference Between a State and Federal Crimes

Generally, a crime is behavior that violates and is punishable by a law or laws. Both state and federal governments have enacted statutes enumerating illegal conduct warranting criminal investigation or prosecution.

State laws concern acts committed within the state itself. When a person violates a state law, they commit a state crime.

For the most part, federal laws concern acts occurring within or outside of the country. In other words, if someone engages in criminal conduct and they cross state lines or country borders, they have committed a federal crime. A person may also be accused of a federal crime if they commit an offense that violates another's constitutional rights or commit an offense on federal property, such as a post office.

Some federal and state laws cover the same type of conduct. For instance, 18 U.S.C. § 1201 and ORC § 2905.01 both concern kidnapping. When state and federal laws apply, depending on how the offense occurred, it could be prosecuted as a state crime, federal crime, or both. The U.S. has a double jeopardy doctrine providing that a person cannot be charged for the same crime twice, but it does not apply when an offense falls under state and federal jurisdiction because they are considered two separate sovereigns.

Another difference between state and federal crimes concerns the entities that handle cases. Local law enforcement authorities enforce state laws and investigate violations. A prosecutor working for the state will try the case. In contrast, federal agencies enforce and investigate federal crimes, and a U.S. Attorney will prosecute.

Our Dayton federal crimes attorney is familiar with the federal criminal justice process and can help navigate your case. Speak with us today by calling (937) 685-7006.

How Do Federal Investigations Work?

A federal investigation begins with a crime report. If federal agents are alerted that federal law has been violated, they will start gathering evidence to determine whether the offense occurred and, if so, who committed it.

Although multiple federal law enforcement agencies exist in the U.S., generally, only one will investigate a possible crime. That said, depending on the conduct involved, multiple agencies may work together to identify a suspect.

As mentioned before, the investigation aims to determine what crime was committed and to identify a suspect.

Federal agents may use a range of investigative techniques to accomplish this, including, but not limited to:

• Wiretapping phones,
• Conducting surveillance operations,
• Recording conversations,
• Reviewing online activity,
• Examining relevant documents.

After a suspect is identified, federal agents may arrest the individual with or without a warrant (depending on the situation). In some cases, the agents may hold off on making an arrest and continue the investigation to gather more evidence against the suspect.

Federal investigators will then turn over the evidence to a prosecutor. The prosecutor will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to pursue the matter.

If you are under investigation for a federal crime, right now is the time to retain legal representation. Federal agents and prosecutors will be working hard to build a case against you, and it is imperative to have someone on your side who will work just as hard – if not harder – for you.

Reach out to our Dayton federal crimes lawyer at (937) 685-7006 for the counsel and guidance you need.

Am I Under Federal Investigation?

The following are several signs that a criminal case will be heard in federal court:

• Federal authorities are handling the case – If a person has been contacted or visited by federal law enforcement agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), or Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), then you are under federal investigation. Additionally, these agencies have extensive resources at their disposal compared to state authorities.
• The crime occurred on federal land or property – From committing a robbery at a federal bank to assaulting someone on a U.S. military base, any crime that happens on federal grounds will result in federal charges.
• The crime spanned multiple states – For instance, a wire fraud scheme that involves multiple perpetrators and victims in more than one state.
• The crime crossed state lines – For example, a person kidnaps someone in one state but takes them to another to avoid local authorities.
• The crime violated customs and immigration laws – Common examples include false declarations, exporting violations, import violations, and human smuggling or trafficking.

Who Investigates Federal Crimes?

In the U.S., various federal agencies investigate federal crimes. However, these agencies do not investigate all federal violations. Each has its specific area of focus and will handle offenses falling within their scope. Still, some crimes warrant agencies working together.

Below are a few of the federal agencies that investigate federal crimes and the matters they handle:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Public corruption
  • Civil rights violations
  • Organized crimes
  • White-collar crimes
  • Violent crimes
  • Terrorism
  • Cybercrimes
• Drug Enforcement Agency
  • Controlled substances violations
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • Illicit liquor and contraband trafficking
  • Illegal use of firearms
  • Transportation, manufacture, sale, purchase, possession of explosives and explosive materials
  • Bomb, explosive, and arson crimes
• United States Secret Service
  • Cyber offenses
  • Counterfeit offenses
• Homeland Security Investigation
  • Transnational crimes and threats
    • Drug smuggling
    • Child exploitation
    • Human trafficking
    • Financial crimes
    • Identity fraud
    • Commercial fraud

Penalties You May Face for a Federal Crime

The penalties you could face upon a federal crime conviction depend on the offense.

Below are the potential punishments for a few federal offenses:

• Assaulting a federal officer (18 U.S.C. § 111):
  • Up to 1 year of imprisonment (simple assault); or
  • Up to 8 years of imprisonment (assault involving physical contact or the intent to commit a felony); and/or
  • A fine
• Sexual exploitation of children (18 U.S.C. § 2251):
  • Between 15 and 30 years of imprisonment and/or
  • A fine
• Trafficking a Schedule I or II controlled substance (21 U.S.C. § 841):
  • Up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or
  • Up to $1,000,000 in fines
• Bank robbery (18 U.S.C. § 2113):
  • Up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or
  • A fine
• Possession of a firearm by a prohibited individual (18 U.S.C. 922(g)):
  • Up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or
  • A fine
• First-degree murder (18 U.S.C. § 1111):
  • Death or
  • Life imprisonment

Whatever federal criminal charge you are facing, our Dayton federal crimes attorney is ready to work relentlessly for you to seek a favorable outcome.

Good Things Happen When Our Dayton Federal Lawyers Go to Court

Our Dayton federal attorneys are seasoned litigators honored with inclusion among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers.

When it comes to representing clients during federal trials, we are:

• Strategic
• Aggressive
• Tenacious

Led by Attorney L. Patrick Mulligan, a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, our team has obtained numerous victories in federal courts across Ohio, including Dayton and Cincinnati. We are licensed to practice in appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Defense for Federal Criminal Charges in Ohio

If you have any questions about your federal criminal matter, we can help you become better informed about your legal standing and options. Should you choose to hire our Dayton federal crime attorneys to represent you, our firm will guide you through each step of the judicial system and provide you with reliable counsel. We likely have encountered a case similar to yours among the thousands we have handled over the years.

Please don't hesitate to call our office to allow our Dayton federal crimes lawyer to begin working on your federal case. Contact us at (937) 685-7006.