Looking for an Ohio Federal Criminal Lawyer? Our Criminal Lawyers in Dayton, Ohio Can Help
If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, you may be facing an uncertain future. A conviction could lead to steep fines, lengthy imprisonment, and months or years of probation. Additionally, you could end up with a criminal record, which can have devastating effects on your social reputation and professional career.
The stakes are high, so it’s important to hire an experienced federal criminal defense attorney to handle your case. There is a big difference between federal and state prosecutions, and some lawyers only handle federal cases occasionally. An inexperienced Ohio criminal lawyer can cost client decades in prison if cases aren’t handled correctly.
Are you facing federal criminal charges in Ohio?
The Ohio criminal attorneys at Gounaris Abboud, LPA have extensive experience as Ohio federal criminal lawyers:
✓ Our lawyers have handled hundreds of cases in federal court.
✓ Nicholas Gounaris and Tony Abboud both appear weekly in federal court representing our clients.
✓ We have a former federal investigator on our staff that assists in all aspects of case evaluation and case preparation.
✓ Nicholas Gounaris served as President of the Federal Bar Association in Dayton.
✓ Our firm has 50+ years of collective legal experience.
If you’re not ready to contact a federal defense lawyer in Dayton, feel free to browse through the commonly asked questions about federal crimes below.
What’s the difference between a federal and state crime?
State criminal laws usually involve crimes that occur inside the state of Ohio. Federal criminal statutes typically concern criminal activities that take place in more than one state and involve interstate commerce.
Not all crimes are federal crimes. For example, while murder is a serious crime, it is usually solely a state crime. A federal law enforcement agency will only get involved in a murder case if, say, the murder took place on federal property or involved a federal official.
Common federal crimes include serious drug offenses, white-collar crimes, and internet sex crimes.
To learn more about the differences between federal and state crimes, watch our brief whiteboard video below.
How do federal investigations work?
If a federal law enforcement agency becomes aware of possible criminal activity, it will start an investigation to verify whether someone committed federal crimes. Once the agency determines its suspect, it may arrest the suspect, or wait until it can obtain more evidence against them.
Certain federal law enforcement agencies, listed below, are in charge of investigating federal crimes. Each agency will only get involved if it has the authority and expertise to investigate the case.
- FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): The FBI is the principal agency responsible for investigating over 200 types of federal crimes, including white collar crime and conspiracy.
- ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives): ATF is responsible for investigating illegal posession, use, and manufacture of firearms, and crimes involving arson, bombings, and trafficking of alcohol and tobacco.
- DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration): The DEA is responsible for enforcing federal drug crimes, like trafficking and drug manufacture.
When should I hire an Ohio Federal Criminal Attorney?
If you have been charged with a federal crime:
First, if you have been charged with a federal criminal offense, you need to contact an Ohio federal criminal lawyer immediately. It is imperative to have an attorney in place before your initial appearance or your arraignment.
An experienced federal criminal lawyer can help you and your family through the first steps of the case, which include setting bail and interacting with a Federal Pretrial Services Officer.
If you have not yet been charged
If you have not yet been charged with a federal crime, you should still contact an Ohio federal criminal lawyer if:
- You are the subject of an investigation by a federal law enforcement agency.
- A search has been conducted at your home or place of business.
- You’ve received a “target” letter by a United States Attorney.
If you have been contacted by a federal agency, contact an Ohio federal criminal attorney before speaking with the agency. It is imperative to have a lawyer in place as soon as possible to discuss your options and protect your rights.
By hiring a skilled Ohio federal crime attorney now, you may be able to negotiate a favorable plea bargain or potentially secure an exoneration or dismissal. Our experience enables us to effectively and passionately defend the rights of our clients.
What should I ask a federal criminal lawyer?
When choosing a federal criminal defense attorney to handle your case, it is important to ask them the following questions:
- How regularly do you represent clients in federal court?
- How many federal cases have you handled?
- Most case files are available through PACER, an online public access service.
- When interviewing a possible lawyer for your federal case, ask them to provide you with a copy of a PACER search that shows you how many cases they’ve handled.
- How familiar are you with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines?
- When was the last time you attended a seminar on the latest guideline changes?
- Could you explain the difference between the advisory sentencing guidelines and statutory penalties?
- Do you have a former federal investigator on staff to assist with my case?
What types of cases does Gounaris Abboud handle?
- Conspiracy: When two or more people agree to commit a crime, they can be charged with conspiracy. They can still be charged even if they don’t end up committing the crime. Conspiracy charges are often “tacked-on” to other criminal charges to increase the possible penalty.
- Federal Drug Crimes: Federal drug crimes include possession with intent to distribute, manufacturing, distribution, and trafficking of controlled substances. Fines and sentences are different depending on the type and quantity of the substance.
- Gun Violations: Federal gun crimes include illegal possession, sale, or transport of a firearm. The most common charges include possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of a firearm in relation to a drug felony, and stolen firearm, ammunition, or explosive.
- Internet Sex Crimes: Internet sex crimes involve child pornography and sexual exploitation of children under 18 years old.
Contact Gounaris Abboud LPA’s Federal Criminal Lawyers in Ohio Today
If you have further questions or would like to discuss your case with a legal professional, do not hesitate to contact an Ohio criminal lawyer at our firm. We look forward to hearing from you.
Contact Gounaris Abboud
Contact our firm to discuss your federal charge today. During a free consultation, we’ll discuss the specifics of your case and come up with a strategy together.