Are You Facing Federal Criminal Charges in Ohio?
The Ohio criminal attorneys at Gounaris Abboud 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 who assists in all aspects of case evaluation and case preparation.
- Nicholas Gounaris served as President of the Federal Bar Association in Dayton.
Contact us in Dayton when you need to speak to a “federal defense attorney near me”.
What’s the Difference Between a Federal and State Crime?
Although an Ohio criminal defense attorney from our firm handles all types of cases, federal and state crimes differ significantly. 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 identifies 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, like drug-related 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 possession, 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 manufacturing.
Challenges of Overcoming Criminal Charges in Ohio Federal Courts
Facing criminal charges can be challenging. The FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies have access to investigative resources such as forensic laboratories and criminal databases. They also have experts in all fields, from finance to computers. These investigators conduct thorough investigations.
The U.S. Department of Justice employs thousands of career prosecutors. They are experienced and skilled. When federal prosecutors bring charges, they usually have mountains of evidence to support the case.
Additional challenges you potentially face during a federal prosecution include:
- Stiff federal sentencing guidelines with mandatory minimum sentences.
- Unlimited budgets to pursue investigations and prosecutions.
- Shifting political priorities that determine which crimes are investigated.
An Ohio federal criminal lawyer from our firm blunts these challenges using the American judicial system’s protections, including access to the prosecution’s evidence, the right to present your witnesses, and the right to an acquittal unless the prosecution proves its case.