Since 2001 Findgreatlawyers.com has been the leading internet resource to find Illinois lawyers and Illinois legal information

Since 2001, findgreatlawyers.com has helped people find lawyers for any Illinois legal situation including Federal crime. We allow you to speak with our staff of attorneys for free, ask questions and get a referral to an independent lawyer that fits your needs. We don’t guarantee a result, but do promise to treat you like a family member or friend. If you would like our help please contact us at (312) 346-5320. We are based in Chicago, but help people find attorneys for all of the Federal Courts in Illinois

The following are common questions that we receive from people that visit our site and have concerns about Federal criminal defense.

1. Who are the best lawyers to defend me against Federal criminal charges?

We strongly believe that the best lawyers to defend you against Federal criminal charges are former Federal prosecutors or attorneys that can demonstrate at least ten years of experience in defending Federal cases. These attorneys have first-hand experience in the Federal court system and may even know the judges and prosecutors personally. Practicing law in Federal court is very different than in state court, so it is important to select an attorney with this experience.

2. Does my lawyer have to be from the city where the court is located?

No, once a lawyer is licensed to practice in U.S. Federal Court, he or she can practice in Federal courts in all states because the procedures are the same. However, it is best to find an attorney who has experience in Illinois’ Federal court system. Although the procedures for Federal court may be the same in all states, an attorney with personal experience working with Federal judges and prosecutors could help your chances.

3. What is a proffer letter?

If you receive a proffer letter, the government is asking you to come to a debriefing hearing and disclose your knowledge of the crime. They may ask questions about your involvement in the criminal activity or about the actions of other participants. If the Federal prosecutor is satisfied that you have disclosed all information in a truthful manner, you may be offered a plea agreement for a reduced sentence or immunity. However, the government is not obligated to offer you anything in exchange for your information, so agreeing to a debriefing hearing can be a risk. If you are considering participating in a debriefing hearing, your lawyer should meet with the prosecutors first and try to learn what information the prosecutors will be seeking from you and what they will offer after you disclose the information.

4. What should I do if the FBI calls me and wants to ask me questions?

You should never participate in FBI questioning without a lawyer present because any information you tell the FBI may be used against you at a later time. It is common for the FBI to contact individuals involved in Federal crimes and try to talk to them directly, because the FBI is not required to provide you an attorney when you speak with them. If the FBI calls, you should inform them that you have a lawyer, and you will have your attorney call them. An attorney with experience dealing with the FBI will best understand your rights in relation to the FBI.

5. What are Federal Sentencing Guidelines?

Federal Sentencing Guidelines are a preset number of years that the government has decided are an appropriate sentence for each Federal crime. The number of years is different for each crime. Often, a range of years is established and the judge in your case is encouraged to choose a sentence within that range. Judges are not required to use the Guidelines, though. Depending on your situation, your attorney can argue that you should receive a lighter sentence than what is set out in the Guidelines.

6. Will I go to jail if I am found guilty?

Many factors are related to whether or not you will have to serve time in prison for your Federal crime. For instance, the crime you are charged with, your background and whether or not you plead guilty are just a few considerations in your sentence. A good attorney will work to prevent this or minimize prison time.

7. If I am convicted when will I get sentenced?

Every case is different, and you may not be sentenced for quite some time. For instance, if you are a cooperating witness for the government you might not be sentenced for years. If you are found guilty at trial you will generally be sentenced between a couple of months and a year after your verdict. The delay occurs because the Judge often deals with post-trial motions and needs to wait for a report from the probation department before giving a sentencing recommendation.

8. What can a lawyer do for me if I am under investigation?

A good lawyer can make a big difference if you are under Federal investigation. Although we can't guarantee a particular result, a lawyer with the right experience often can prevent you from getting arrested in the first place by clearing up a misunderstanding or negotiating a deal with the government. This will ultimately save you time and money and can eliminate your risk of jail time.

9. How much does a Federal criminal defense attorney cost?

The price of a criminal defense attorney varies greatly depending on which attorney you choose and how much work needs to be done on your case. If you are only under investigation and no charges are brought, then you might only spend a couple of thousand dollars. If you are formally arrested, you will most likely need to pay somewhere in the five figures or more for an experienced attorney. That said, most attorneys we know take payment plans and will initially consult with you for free.

10. What is the maximum fine if I am convicted?

There is no maximum fine or penalty. The judge can order restitution damages which means you will be responsible for repaying any financial losses that you have caused. This could be a few thousand or even many millions of dollars.

11. What is a grand jury?

The Federal prosecutor will need to present their case to a grand jury to prove there is enough evidence against you before they charge you with a crime. The grand jury will listen to the evidence and decide if there is a chance you committed the crime. If they think so, you will be indicted and charged with the crime. If not, you cannot be charged, and the government cannot bring you to trial.

12. What does white collar crime mean?

White collar crime generally refers to crimes that involve lying or hiding certain facts from others in order to steal money; generally these crimes do not involve any physical violence. Fraud, embezzlement, forgery, bribery, identity theft and insider trading would all fall under this category. Usually a Chicago white collar crime lawyer is the right fit for these charges since most alleged white collar crime takes place in the Chicago area; as a result attorneys here have more experience with those cases.

If our answers aren’t clear, if you have other questions or if you would like a recommendation from us as to who is a good attorney to defend you if you are charged with a Federal crime, please do not hesitate to contact us. All calls are free and confidential.