Federal Criminal Defense

Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys in Houston

Federal Crimes are crimes that are prosecuted by the United States of America, and because of this, federal prosecutors have vast resources at their disposal when compared to prosecuting  State crimes. Let Houston Federal Criminal Defense lawyers at, Walter J. Pink & Associates, aggressively defend your rights and freedoms. Our team of Houston Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys have not only practiced in the Houston area, which encompasses the Southern District of Texas, and the Eastern District of Texas, but we have been all across the country and have defended freedoms in over 15 different States.

Do You Need a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney?

Yes! If you have to ask this question then the answer is usually yes. If you have been indicted, arrested, accused of, or simply asked to come in and just “talk” to federal authorities then you need to call Walter J. Pink & Associates immediately!!! 

At Walter J. Pink & Associates, our team of Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys have accomplished the following for our clients:

• Had Federal charges dismissed
• Had Federal indictments dismissed
• Had Federal charges reduced
• Had Federal Sentencing Guideline Ranges and Levels Reduced

Our team of Federal Criminal Defense lawyers have handled hundreds of federal cases, do not hesitate with your future, call our experienced team today. 

1. Definition of Federal Crimes

Federal crimes are offenses that are deemed illegal by U.S. federal legislation based on Title 18 of the United States Code which deals exclusively with federal crimes and criminal procedure. Crimes found in U.S. Code 18 are often crimes at a state level as well, however, the Federal government can decide to pursue the charges over the state government. 18 U.S.C. is expansive and voluminous, however, if you generally remember these three things then you should be able to correctly infer whether the crime is a federal crime or simply a state crime:

• Did the crime occur on federal property (like a post office or federal bank)?
• Did the crime violate an exclusive federal service (like UPS)?
• Did the crime cross or involve dealings across state lines?

2. Types of Federal Crimes

The lists of Federal crimes encompass a wide range of offenses. The following are some of the most common categories of Federal Crimes:

White-Collar Crimes 

These are non-violent crimes committed for financial gain. They are called “white-collar” due to these crimes being business-orientated or for strictly pecuniary gain. Examples include:

• Fraud: Deceptive practices intended to secure an unfair or unlawful gain.
• Embezzlement: Misappropriation of funds entrusted to one's care.
• Insider Trading: Trading of a public company's stock based on confidential information.
• Money Laundering: Illegally concealing the origin of money obtained through illegal activities. 
• Public Corruption- A government official's use of their position for personal gain.
• Bribery - Illegally offering or promising a government official value for personal gain.
• Ponzi Scheme - A form of fraud aimed at defrauding investors with impossible returns.

Drug Offenses

Federal drug offenses can range from possession to trafficking. These offenses can be found under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) and are guided under 21 U.S.C. and 18 U.S.C. Drug offenses typically revolve around the following:

• The type of drug
• The quantities of drugs
• Transportation across state or international borders
• The scheme and\or plans for the acquisition or sale the drugs in question

Federal Conspiracy & Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO)

The ‘Mob buster” law, otherwise known as RICO, was put into place so that individuals who are far removed from the crime itself but heavily influence or even control the commission of one can be charged under the RICO statute. It is a long arm/net statute so that multiple people can be indicted in the furtherance of a common criminal scheme or plan. Under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 96, the federal laws against RICO can be found. 

Cybercrimes

A relatively new category of crime that is ever-expanding in our digital age. Cybercrimes are crimes committed using computers or the internet. This includes:

• Identity Theft: Illegally obtaining and using someone's personal data and either pretending to be them or using their identity.
• Fraud
• Hacking:Unauthorized access to computer systems.  

Under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 1030, the federal laws against Cybercrimes can be found.

Terrorism and National Security

Offenses that threaten the nation's security or its citizens. This includes:

• Acts of terrorism
• Espionage
• Treason

Under 18 U.S.C. Chapter 113B, the federal laws against terrorism can be found. 

3. Federal Crime Prosecution Process

The process of prosecuting federal crimes is systematic and involves several stages however the general stages are:

• Investigation: Conducted by federal agencies like the FBI or DEA. These investigations can span years and often involve wiretaps, informants, confidential agents, undercover agents, cyber markers, and other methods of investigation.
• Charging: The U.S. Attorney's Office reviews evidence and decides on the charges. They then take the evidence and charges to a grand jury for an indictment. 
• Initial Hearing/Arraignment: Defendants are informed of the charges and can enter a plea.
• Discovery: Given that the federal government is very thorough in the initial investigation, discovery is typically the United States Government turning over all of this evidence to your Federal Defense Attorney. 
• Plea Bargaining: Negotiations between the defense and prosecution about the charges and potential sentence. These negotiations include reducing the charges, introducing mitigating evidence and circumstances, and determining level reductions based on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines laid out by the United States Sentencing Commission. 
• Trial: If no plea deal is reached, the case goes to trial. The federal government has a notorious conviction percentage so you must choose the right and the best Houston Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Sentencing: If found guilty, the defendant is sentenced.

4. Penalties and Sentencing

Federal crimes often come with severe penalties. These penalties are laid out in the United States Sentencing Commission’s guidelines. The USSC establishes recommendations based on many factors and recommends a level and category for each defendant that corresponds with the severity of punishment recommended. The punishments can include:

• Imprisonment: Federal prisons have specific guidelines for sentencing based on the crime's severity.
• Fines: Monetary penalties imposed on the convicted. 
• Restitution: Compensation paid to victims.
• Probation: A period during which offenders must follow specific rules instead of serving time in prison.
• Forfeiture: Confiscation of assets related to the crime. This is a rule that allows the government to seize or freeze your assets, bank accounts, and/or investment accounts if any drop of "dirty" money is mixed with them. 

Formidable Houston/Harris County Federal Criminal Attorneys

Our team of federal criminal attorneys have been through it all and seen it all. We have defended our clients from all crimes listed on this page and more. Our lead federal attorneys have over 60 years of combined experience so do not trust just any attorney, because not just any attorney can practice or succeed in federal court room against the United States Government. Call a battle-tested and battle-hardened team of federal criminal attorneys today!

5. Defending Against Federal Charges

Facing federal charges requires a robust defense strategy. Based on Pew Research data, 89.5% of federal indictments lead to a plea, another 8.2% of cases are dismissed and the remaining 2.3% of cases go to trial, in which 1.9% of the 2.3% of cases were found guilty. Federal indictments have a 91.4% chance of resulting in a conviction therefore you need a strong law firm, like Walter J. Pink & Associates, fighting for your future. Understanding federal crimes and the legal processes surrounding them is crucial for anyone facing such charges. With the right knowledge and legal representation, one can navigate the complexities of the federal legal system.

Call Walter J. Pink & Associates, one of the greatest Federal Criminal Defense law firms in the country, toady!