Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Cleveland

Getting charged with a federal crime is overwhelming. If you are convicted of a federal criminal offense, you could be looking at severe penalties. You need a fierce advocate on your side as you deal with the aftermath of your criminal charge.

Regardless of the crime you’re charged with, speaking with a Cleveland federal criminal defense lawyer is in your best interests.

HMW Law—Ohio Trial Attorneys is a nationally recognized and award-winning law firm with decades of combined legal experience on staff.

Trust us to help you with your federal crime case. Schedule a case consultation with a Cleveland criminal defense lawyer from our team.

Why You Need Legal Representation if You Are Charged With a Federal Crime

A Cleveland federal criminal defense attorney knows how stressful it is to be charged with a crime. They provide competent legal representation and treat you with the care and compassion you need during this challenging time in your life.

Reasons to hire a lawyer if you are charged with a federal crime include:

You Can Access Legal Knowledge and Insights

Choose a lawyer who is exclusively focused on a dedicated practice area. Your attorney will teach you about the legal system and what to do to defend against a conviction. They prioritize your legal rights and help you achieve your desired case results.

You Can Learn About the Differences Between Federal and State Criminal Cases

Generally, federal sentencing guidelines are more severe than what you’ll see at the state level. Your lawyer gives you information about how federal criminal cases are processed in court. They discuss how the federal court system operates separately from state and local courts and how its rules and procedures apply to your case.

You Can Receive Legal Guidance and Support as You Get Ready for Your Trial

If you are worried about what will happen when you enter a federal courtroom for your trial, keep in mind that you do not have to face this situation alone. Your attorney is on your side.

They describe what the trial process entails and what to expect when your case goes to court. During your trial, your lawyer explains why you should be cleared of the charges against you.

You Can Get Help With Plea Deal Negotiations

If a plea deal is an option in your case, your lawyer will handle your negotiations. They provide you with frequent updates as they negotiate with a prosecutor in the hopes of getting a deal that meets your requirements. If your attorney is successful, you could avoid a lengthy prison sentence or other major penalties.

HMW Law—Ohio Trial Attorneys provides dedicated advocacy when the feds come for our clients. We are relentless in our pursuit to protect your freedoms.

Our federal criminal defense attorneys will not back down as we highlight the weaknesses in the prosecutor’s case. Request a consultation with us for more information about how we can help you with your case.

Legal Representation Available for a Cleveland Federal Criminal Defense Case

The legal team at HMW Law has the experience, resources, and professional network to handle virtually any type of federal criminal case. We provide legal representation to defend against common federal criminal charges.

Our team of Cleveland federal criminal defense lawyers includes:

Cleveland child pornography lawyers: We represent clients who have been charged with illegal production, distribution, transportation, reception, accessing, or viewing of any sexually explicit content featuring someone under the age of 18.
Cleveland conspiracy lawyers: We help those who have been accused of conspiracy, which is plotting to commit a serious crime and can be grounds for a federal offense.
Cleveland federal drug crime lawyers: We offer legal services and support to those dealing with drug crime charges. Many drug crimes can be charged as federal offenses, such as drug trafficking or selling a large amount of narcotics.
Cleveland fraud lawyers: Let us know if you have been accused of fraud, which is deception or misrepresentation that leads to the theft of property, money, benefits, or assets. Fraud charges that can lead to federal penalties include mail fraud, wire fraud, credit card fraud, healthcare fraud, tax fraud, bank fraud, and securities fraud.
Cleveland identity theft lawyers: Misusing someone’s identity, financial information, or other data for personal gain is a serious crime. We assist individuals who have been charged with identity theft, as federal agencies are likely to prosecute those accused of this crime harshly.
Cleveland murder lawyers: Taking another person’s life is one of the most serious federal crimes. If you have been charged with murder, allow us to contest the prosecution’s argument.
Cleveland sex crimes lawyers: Violent sex crimes like aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse of a minor are often considered federal crimes. Following a charge for either of these or other sex crimes, meet with our attorneys to evaluate your legal options.
Cleveland tax crimes lawyers: Those who attempt to defraud the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) can be charged with a tax crime. With help from our attorneys, you can fight back against a tax crime charge before it leads to a conviction.
Cleveland weapons crimes lawyers: Carrying, purchasing, selling, transporting, or manufacturing unregistered firearms or other deadly weapons can be a federal crime. Our attorneys can examine a weapons crime charge and develop a legal strategy to dispute the prosecution’s case.
Cleveland cybercrime lawyers: Criminal offenses that occur on computers or networks are an increasing concern in America, so the federal government has begun making examples of individuals accused of these crimes. If you have been charged with a cybercrime, seek legal help from our federal criminal defense lawyers in Cleveland.
Cleveland internet crimes lawyers: People often use the terms “internet crime” and “cybercrime” interchangeably, but they are not the same. Our attorneys can teach you about internet crimes and, if you have been charged with one, build an argument to disprove the prosecution’s argument.
Cleveland white collar crime lawyers: A white collar crime is a non-violent offense in which an individual breaks the law for personal financial gain. If you have been accused of a federal white collar crime that could result in a prison sentence, fines, and other penalties, we can assess your case and develop a legal strategy to challenge the prosecution.
Cleveland construction fraud lawyers: Bid rigging, overcharging, and other deception or misrepresentation in federal construction projects can lead to severe penalties. We get to the root of your construction fraud charge and consider myriad legal strategies to make it difficult for a prosecutor to argue against you.

HMW Law has handled thousands of cases. We commit the time and resources to represent you effectively as you go through the legal process. If you have legal concerns or questions at any point during your case proceedings, we respond to them right away.

Cleveland Federal Criminal Defense Legal Strategies to Consider

A federal criminal defense lawyer in Cleveland understands there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting a federal charge dismissed. They account for the facts of your case and why you were charged with a criminal offense. Your attorney may consider various legal strategies, such as:

Violation of Your Constitutional Rights

Your lawyer will look for evidence to show that your constitutional rights were breached. For example, they could argue that you are the victim of an unlawful search and seizure, which would represent a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights.

Self-Defense

A federal prosecutor could argue that you intentionally harmed someone and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law based on your actions. Alternatively, your lawyer could present video footage or other evidence that shows you faced imminent harm and, as such, acted in self-defense to protect yourself and others.

Insanity

Your attorney has a wide range of evidence to support an insanity argument. In this scenario, your lawyer may argue that you committed a crime but did not know what you were doing at the time since you were dealing with a mental illness.

Entrapment

Law enforcement pressures you to engage in criminal activities, and you are charged with a crime you otherwise would not have committed. A federal criminal defense attorney in Cleveland can argue that you were the victim of entrapment. They can present evidence that strengthens your argument, and that makes it tough for a federal prosecutor to get a conviction.

Lack of Knowledge

The government could charge you with a criminal offense even if you were unaware that you were doing something illegal. For instance, the police find drugs in your car that a passenger left in your vehicle and charge you with drug possession. A Cleveland drug possession attorney could argue that you did not know about these drugs, which may result in a case dismissal.

Partner with a Cleveland, Ohio federal criminal defense lawyer who has extensive experience and has received many positive client reviews. This attorney gives your legal matters the attention they deserve.

They can teach you about federal sentencing guidelines and other topics relating to your case and prepare a legal strategy that will resonate with the court.

What Are the Penalties for a Federal Crime?

The penalties for federal criminal convictions vary. A Cleveland, Ohio federal criminal defense attorney provides insights into the penalties associated with your charge. Below are details about the penalties you could receive if you are convicted of a federal criminal offense.

Imprisonment

It is possible to receive a lifetime prison sentence for a federal criminal conviction. The length of a prison sentence depends on the crime and its severity.

As an example, being found guilty of money laundering could result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. However, if a person is convicted of healthcare fraud, they may be imprisoned for up to 10 years.

Fines

A federal criminal conviction may result in fines or monetary restitution, which are sometimes used in place of imprisonment in a federal penitentiary. Fines for misdemeanors usually don’t exceed a few thousand dollars. Yet, felony acts can result in millions of dollars in fines. For corporate or financial crimes, monetary losses can be even higher and include asset forfeiture.

Probation

With probation, an individual must comply with various conditions, such as meetings with a probation officer and avoiding criminal activity. There are instances where defendants in federal criminal cases get off with nothing more than probation. Regardless, probation is a highly unlikely case outcome, considering the resources the government puts into its investigations.

A federal criminal defense lawyer in Cleveland, Ohio knows how to deal with federal courts. They speak with you about federal sentencing guidelines and the consequences that come with a federal criminal conviction. Your attorney also discusses how a conviction can impact your ability to enjoy your life in the same way you did previously.

Consequences of a Federal Criminal Conviction

Expect a federal criminal conviction to stick with you long after you have served your punishment. A federal criminal defense attorney in Cleveland, Ohio, shares information about the short- and long-term consequences of a conviction, which include:

Loss of Civil Rights

In Ohio, you lose the right to vote if you are incarcerated for a federal criminal conviction. Along with this, you cannot serve on a jury or hold public office. If you have been convicted of a felony involving drugs or violence, you may be prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Employment Issues

If you apply for a job after you have served a federal criminal sentence, your conviction could appear on an employment background check. At this point, your conviction could prompt an employer to look elsewhere as it attempts to fill a vacant role.

Housing Issues

A landlord may conduct a criminal background check as they decide whether to approve your housing application. If a landlord sees a federal criminal conviction on your record, they may decline your housing request.

Travel Limitations

Those who have been convicted of a federal crime in the United States may be inadmissible to Canada and other countries. Meanwhile, a convict’s court orders or parole conditions may limit this individual’s ability to travel domestically.

Damaged Relationships With Family and Friends

A criminal conviction can change the way family and friends view a person. If you have been convicted of a federal crime, family and friends may choose not to communicate with you as frequently as they did in the past or not stay in contact with you moving forward.

The criminal justice process allows you to avoid a conviction before it leads to these and other consequences. A Cleveland criminal defense attorney knows the ins and outs of the criminal defense system. They make sure you are well-positioned to achieve a case outcome that matches your expectations.

Tips to Help You With Your Cleveland Federal Criminal Defense Legal Proceedings

Do not wait to ask for legal help from a criminal defense law firm. A criminal defense lawyer in Cleveland guides you through the legal process and helps you make informed decisions at each stage. They will share tips to assist you with your case proceedings, such as:

Take Legal Action Right Away

If you think your federal charges will disappear, think again. The feds take criminal matters seriously, and prosecutors will do everything they can to convince a jury that a conviction is warranted. Talk with a criminal defense attorney in Cleveland within days of when you are charged. They can start gathering evidence and crafting your legal defense immediately.

Investigate Your Charge

Investigations make a world of difference for those facing federal charges. Answer your lawyer’s questions about your charge and the circumstances surrounding it. Be honest and transparent with your attorney, as this helps your lawyer understand why you were charged and how they can argue as to why you should not be convicted.

Identify Potential Witnesses

There may be family members, friends, or others who can provide a federal court with information that prompts a jury to drop the case against you. Your lawyer can look for witnesses who can testify on your behalf.

Join a Rehabilitation Program

The steps you take now can have far-flung effects on your case outcome. If you have been charged with a federal drug crime, enroll in a substance abuse treatment program. The court could look favorably on your decision to join this program, as it shows that you are doing your part to address an issue that led to your criminal charge.

Pursue Professional Counseling

It is emotionally taxing to think about what can happen if you are convicted of a federal crime. Seek professional counseling if you feel that doing so could benefit you. This allows you to share your thoughts and feelings with a counselor. Ultimately, counseling may be a safe, healthy, and effective way to manage your emotions during your legal proceedings.

Build a Support Network

You do not have to deal with federal charges by yourself. Engage with family members and friends who want to support you in any way they can. If you feel comfortable with it, search for support groups in your area, as these allow you to connect with individuals who can provide additional help as needed.

Communicate and Collaborate With Your Lawyer

A lawyer who has an outstanding track record in federal criminal cases keeps you updated about your case. At the same time, they remain accessible. If you want insights into different aspects of the legal process, your attorney will share their legal knowledge with you.

Your criminal lawyer offers legal advice as your case progresses. They want you to understand the implications of any decision you make. Your attorney gets you ready for your trial. If the prosecution proposes a plea bargain, you can review the offer with your lawyer and decide what to do with it.

What to Expect if You Receive a Federal Crime Plea Deal

A prosecutor could propose a plea deal if they have concerns about whether they can convict you of a federal crime. If you approve a plea agreement, you accept a lesser charge than the one originally levied against you.

Your criminal attorney helps you weigh the pros and cons of a plea bargain. They handle your plea deal negotiations and discuss what will happen if you approve or decline an agreement. If you are not fully satisfied with a plea agreement, your lawyer will advise you to reject it and continue with your litigation.

Plea bargains are not available in all federal crime cases. If no plea deal is offered, your lawyer ensures you are prepared for your trial. That way, when you enter the courtroom, you can feel confident about how your lawyer will present your case to a jury.

Our Cleveland Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Provide Personalized and Focused Legal Representation

You are concerned you will be convicted of a federal crime. At this point, consult with federal criminal defense lawyers in Cleveland. Your attorney can evaluate the case against you and how to poke holes in the prosecution’s argument. They may be able to raise a reasonable doubt about whether you should be convicted.

At HMW Law—Ohio Trial Attorneys, Damn Right, We Fight!™ Our legal team is well-versed in federal criminal law. We’ve seen what federal crime accusations can do to a person’s life and take on the government to help our clients get the case outcomes they want.

Give us the opportunity to represent you in your federal criminal case. Contact us today to get started.