New York City Federal Criminal Attorneys
Helping Clients Based on Decades of Defending Federal Charges in New York
If you are charged with a federal crime, are a target of a federal criminal investigation, or have been contacted to be a witness in a federal case, you need the immediate assistance of competent, experienced, and qualified federal criminal counsel. The prospect of the United States government having an interest in you regarding a federal criminal matter would be terrifying to anyone. You should not and do not have to go at it alone.
Do not settle for any criminal lawyer; ensure you have an experienced New York federal criminal lawyer standing by your side. For over two decades, attorneys at Cohen Forman Barone, PC have successfully defended individuals and businesses against the federal government. We have successfully negotiated to avoid criminal charges in some instances and provided astute and researched assistance on behalf of our clients to avoid incarceration in many others.
If you have a federal criminal charge, contact our New York City attorneys to schedule your free consultation. We’ll leverage our decades of experience in criminal defense law to construct a defense strategy that matches your situation and gets you the best outcome possible.
How Are Federal Crimes Different from State Crimes?
Crimes that are charged in federal court involve criminal activity that has crossed state borders, international borders, or have occurred on or against federal property. Federal law is the same in all states, but often differs vastly from any particular state’s criminal laws. If you are charged, being investigated, or subpoenaed as a person to appear or provide documents, do not settle for any criminal lawyer. You need lawyers who practice in federal court.
Two important distinctions between federal and state courts occur around sentencing. In state court, when a prosecutor and defense attorney agree on the appropriate sentence, a judge routinely follows the agreed-upon sentence, allowing the accused to have security knowing what his ultimate sentence will be. As a result, it is the parties who, as a matter of practice, determine the actual sentence. And the sentence will be within the statutorily mandated range.
In federal court, it is the judge who determines what the ultimate sentence will be. The defense attorney and prosecutor both attend the sentencing hearing without any promise about the ultimate sentence. The most important part of sentencing for a federal criminal defendant is the preparation of a sentencing memorandum.
The process can be stressful and confusing. You can rely on our team for a strong legal strategy that protects your rights and minimizes your chances of maximum sentencing. We are often able to get cases dismissed entirely. Call now to learn more.
What Are the Potential Consequences of Conviction for a Federal Offense?
The federal legal system is notorious for being more stringent and complex than state courts. When you have federal charges brought against you, you may spend months or more under federal investigations before you’re brought before a judge who will decide your sentence. What’s more, the consequences of a conviction for federal crimes can last long after the prison sentence is over.
Some examples of penalties and consequences you may face if you’re convicted in a federal case include:
- Prison time, with the length depending on the severity of your crimes
- Fines, which can add up to tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Probation – After prison, you may face a probation sentence where your freedom is still severely limited
- Loss of certain civil rights, including the right to vote, bear arms, and serve on a jury
- Difficulty finding housing and employment due to a permanent criminal record
- Social stigma, which can lead to family difficulties and loss of parental rights
- Loss of professional licensing
- Loss of immigration status
When you hire a federal defense lawyer at our law offices, you can benefit from our experience with federal laws, including representing individuals in federal courts. We understand how federal cases work and promise to leave no stone unturned as we seek evidence to build a strong case in your favor.
What Are Some Examples of Federal Offenses?
Federal criminal charges are serious crimes that should not be taken lightly. These acts often take place across state boundaries, but this is not always the case. For example, robbing a federally insured bank constitutes a federal crime. Terrorism in any form, tax evasion, and even drug trafficking can also be prosecuted as federal crimes.
Some examples of cases brought before federal courts include:
- Healthcare fraud
- Embezzlement
- Financial crimes
- Bank fraud
- Tax fraud
- Mail fraud
- Wire fraud
- Securities fraud
- Immigration offenses
- Counterfeiting
- Money laundering
- Robbery
- Murder, in certain circumstances
- Kidnapping that crosses state boundaries
If you or someone you care about is facing one of the above or similar serious criminal charges, please don’t go it alone. Contact our federal defense lawyers immediately for legal counsel about your options. We’ll help you determine the next best step and represent you confidently in negotiations or in court before federal judges.
What Defenses Can I Use When Facing a Federal Criminal Case?
If you’re being charged with a federal offense, federal prosecutors are probably already working to build a case against you. Federal criminal investigations typically include investigations by one or more federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is crucial that you contact federal criminal lawyers like those at our law firm for legal counsel and representation as soon as possible to craft a defense in your favor.
Your federal criminal defense attorney can help you identify the best defense strategy, which may include one or more of the following:
- Self-defense – If you used force to protect yourself from harm, you may be eligible for a self-defense strategy
- Duress – Individuals who act under duress or threat of harm may avoid maximum sentencing
- Alibi – Having proof that you could not have committed the crime because you weren’t at that location is called having an alibi and can be a powerful defense strategy
- Affirmative defense – One strategy is to admit that you committed the action while presenting factors that explain why you had to do so
- Statute of limitations – If prosecutors exceed the time limit for taking legal action, you may use a statute of limitations defense
- Insanity – Claiming insanity means you were not mentally competent at the time the crime occurred
One of the most crucial parts of preparing a federal criminal defense is having legal counsel from trusted federal criminal defense attorneys like those at Cohen Forman Barone, PC. We’ll explain your options and help you determine the best way to fight your federal charges. We have vast experience working with federal agencies to get the best results for our clients, and we’ll apply this knowledge and skill in your case.
Why Should I Choose Cohen Forman Barone, PC for My Federal Defense in NYC?
When facing federal charges, it’s crucial to have a legal team with extensive experience and a deep understanding of federal law. At Cohen Forman Barone, PC, our attorneys have decades of experience defending clients in federal cases, including white-collar crimes, drug offenses, and more. Our NYC federal criminal lawyers have a proven track record of success in federal court and are dedicated to providing aggressive and strategic defense for our clients.
Reasons to choose Cohen Forman Barone, PC for your federal charges defense include:
- Extensive experience in federal court
- In-depth knowledge of federal law and procedures
- Proven track record of successful outcomes
- Personalized and strategic defense strategies
- Dedicated and responsive legal team
There’s too much at stake to go it alone. Choose our legal team to ensure you have the best chances of a positive outcome in our federal criminal defense. If you have a federal criminal matter, contact the experienced federal criminal attorneys at Cohen Forman Barone, PC to help guide you through it today!
Should You Hire Our New York City Federal Criminal Attorneys?
Being charged with a federal crime can be terrifying. Whether you are facing charges of tax fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking, violent crimes, or other federal charges, you might be wondering what the future holds and whether there is any chance of defeating your charges. The good news is that there is always hope with a talented federal criminal defense attorney by your side.
The experienced, understanding, and battle-proven attorneys at Cohen Forman Barone, PC will get you through the toughest of situations. We will make sure you understand your rights, address your concerns, and advocate aggressively on your behalf.
The skill and expertise needed to advocate for a federal criminal defendant at sentencing are extremely precise and difficult, and it should be left only to those with experience and expertise in federal court. Choosing the right lawyer for your federal criminal matter can often make the difference in what sentence you ultimately receive.
Don’t wait another moment. Call the compassionate, talented team of New York federal criminal defense lawyers at Cohen Forman Barone, PC by calling today.