Dallas Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Federal crimes can be serious, and conviction could change your life forever. Consider partnering with a Dallas federal criminal defense attorney at Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C. to receive the best defense for your case possible.

Being charged with a federal criminal offense is a frightening situation to be in. These crimes could be prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Once the FBI has you in their sights, you could be in big trouble. Usually, you shouldn’t talk with the FBI without speaking to a Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer at our firm first.

The FBI rarely questions people without a reason, and you could be under investigation even if you haven’t yet been charged with a crime. Your statements can be used against you, so make sure you protect yourself by knowing your rights.

Types of Federal Crimes Your Dallas Defense Attorney Handles

There are many criminal charges that are considered federal offenses. These crimes are usually ones that cross state lines or involve federal criminal statutes or interstate commerce. Your Dallas federal defense attorney from our firm is experienced in handling all types of federal offenses.

Here are just a few of the types of federal crimes we handle. This is not a comprehensive list. Call our office to discuss your case.

• Tax evasion
• Fraud, including mail, wire, and insurance fraud
• Healthcare fraud
• Bribery
• Public corruption
• Drug trafficking
• Human trafficking
• Bank robbery
• Computer crimes
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering

The Consequences of a Federal Criminal Conviction

When you’re convicted of a federal crime, your life will likely never be the same again. This is because, depending on the nature of the criminal complaint against you, you could be facing serious consequences.

One reason why federal criminal convictions are so serious is due to mandatory minimum sentencing. Mandatory minimums are essentially binding sentences involving baseline periods of incarceration that must be followed.

Opponents of minimum sentencing point out that mandatory minimums prevent judges from using their own discretion when passing down a sentence, as is the case when setting punishments for other crimes.

There are currently nearly two hundred different federal crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences. In 2019, of 76,538 cases reported to U.S. Sentencing Commission, 26.1 percent involved mandatory minimum sentencing. Some of the most prominent examples include:

• Drug Trafficking – The vast majority of crimes impacted by mandatory minimum penalties are for drug trafficking. For all convicted drug traffickers in a recent year, the average sentence was for 133 months in federal prison if they were not offered sentencing relief, or 58 months if relief was granted. The type and class of drug in question also plays a part in these sentences. Defendants convicted of trafficking meth, for example, on average, were subject to harsher sentences under mandatory minimum laws than marijuana or heroin traffickers.

• Identity Theft – Identity theft is a serious charge, underscored by the vast majority of defendants face mandatory minimum sentences when under federal prosecution. For those given relief, sentences averaged out at 30 months in federal prison; for those less fortunate, the average sentence was for 50 months.

• Sex Offenders – At the federal level, sex offenses refer to people facing charges related to either sexual abuse or child pornography. The punishments for these crimes at the federal level can be quite severe. For people convicted of sexual abuse without relief from a mandatory minimum, the average sentence in a recent year was 257 months. For child pornography offenders, the average mandatory minimum sentence without relief was 130 months in federal prison.

• Firearms Offenders – For firearms offenders convicted under one federal statute, the average sentence without relief from mandatory minimums was 148 months. For others tried under a law for Armed Career Criminals, the average sentence was 206 months without relief.

As if these sentences weren’t difficult enough, the consequences of a federal criminal conviction extend beyond just incarceration. You could also be forced to pay restitution, be placed under surveillance, or on probation.

In addition, your personal and professional reputation will likely suffer as the result of a federal criminal conviction. You could be barred from working in certain professions, made to live in certain areas, or placed on a sex offender registry—all depending on the nature of your crimes.

These consequences highlight the importance of seeking out help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer before you are convicted.

Can a Dallas Federal Defense Lawyer Help You?

You are likely scared after being charged with a federal crime, and you know you need to get legal help. However, you may be skeptical of how a Dallas federal criminal defense attorney can assist you with your case.

They will start by examining your case to find the holes. They will then build your defense based on the specifics of your case. The FBI or other law enforcement officials could have violated your rights. They may not have enough evidence to convict you. You might simply be under suspicion, but they are after much bigger fish.

You might be innocent of any crime, and you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s imperative you contact an attorney right away, even if you aren’t sure you’re being investigated. An attorney can give you legal advice before you get yourself into hot water that can no longer be cooled down.

Team Up with a Federal Defense Attorney in Dallas, Texas

If you are convicted of a federal criminal offense, your life will never be the same. These types of crimes are usually serious, and you could be looking at imprisonment for a long time. In addition, you will likely lose your job due to a conviction, and your criminal record will work against you for life. You could even lose certain rights because of your conviction.

Make the call to a Dallas federal criminal defense lawyer to discover what your options are. Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C. has an attorney who is ready to build your defense today. Call 214-665-6930 or complete the internet contact form below.