Federal Criminal Defense

A federal investigation may begin months or even years before charges are filed. You may first learn about the investigation when federal agents request an interview, execute a search warrant, serve a subpoena, contact your employer, or identify you as a target, subject, or witness.

Federal criminal cases are different from ordinary Indiana prosecutions. They involve federal agencies, prosecutors, courts, detention procedures, sentencing rules, and deadlines. What you say and do during the earliest stages of an investigation may affect the entire case.

At Jones Law Office, Andrew B. Jones, Michael Smyth, and Graham Polando have experience representing clients in federal investigations and criminal prosecutions. Together, they bring courtroom experience, extensive jury-trial experience, detailed knowledge of evidence and procedure, and sophisticated motion, research, and appellate experience to complex federal matters.

If federal agents have contacted you, speak with an attorney before agreeing to an interview or providing a statement. Call Jones Law Office at (574) 239-7017 or complete the form to request a free, confidential consultation.

We Represent Clients in Federal Matters Involving:

Federal weapons, violent-crime, and national-security offenses

• Federal firearms and weapons offenses
• Illegal possession, transfer, or trafficking of firearms
• Bank robbery and arson
• Terrorism and treason offenses
• Hate crimes and federal civil-rights offenses

Organized crime, trafficking, and conspiracy

• RICO charges
• Federal conspiracy charges
• Human trafficking and sex trafficking
• Human smuggling
• Trafficking in counterfeit goods

Federal drug offenses

• Federal narcotics offenses
• Drug trafficking and distribution
• Importation or exportation of controlled substances
• Drug conspiracy charges

Fraud and financial crimes

• Wire, mail, and bank fraud
• Insurance and credit-card fraud
• Mortgage, real estate, and bankruptcy fraud
• Identity theft and money laundering
• Embezzlement and fraud against the federal government
• Tax evasion and willful nonpayment of federal taxes
• Federal securities and SEC-related offenses

Healthcare, Medicare, and Medicaid fraud

• False healthcare claims and billings
• Billing for services, prescriptions, or medications not provided
• Upcoding, unbundling, and other improper billing practices
• Medically unnecessary services, overutilization, and false certifications
• Ghost-patient allegations
• Unlawful kickbacks and referral payments
• Improper waivers of copayments or deductibles
• Illegal prescribing or dispensing allegations

Public corruption, obstruction, and regulatory offenses

• Public corruption and bribery
• Obstruction of audits or criminal investigations
• Obstruction of justice and witness tampering
• False statements and subornation of perjury
• Theft of trade secrets
• Computer and internet crimes
• Environmental offenses
• Destruction or alteration of corporate records

Whether an allegation is prosecuted in federal court depends on the applicable statute, the alleged conduct, federal jurisdiction, and the prosecutor’s charging decision. Some conduct may violate both state and federal law.

We handle all classes of federal misdemeanor and felony cases, including:

• Class A Federal Misdemeanors
• Class B Federal Misdemeanors
• Class C Federal Misdemeanors
• Class A Federal Felonies
• Class B Federal Felonies
• Class C Federal Felonies
• Class D Federal Felonies
• Class E Federal Felonies

What Makes a Federal Criminal Case Different?

Federal cases are prosecuted by the United States and are governed by federal statutes, procedural and evidentiary rules, local court rules, and federal appellate decisions.

A federal case may involve:

• An investigation that begins long before an arrest
• Federal grand jury proceedings and subpoenas
• Multiple federal agencies
• Extensive financial, electronic, telephone, or digital evidence
• Federal release and detention hearings
• Mandatory minimum sentences
• Federal Sentencing Guidelines calculations
• Asset seizure, forfeiture, and restitution
• Supervised release
• Appeals to the Seventh Circuit

Because the procedures and consequences differ significantly from an Indiana state prosecution, federal cases require early planning, careful investigation, and close attention to deadlines, detention issues, and sentencing exposure.

Federal Investigations and Grand Jury Proceedings

A federal matter may first become known through an interview request, target letter, subpoena, search warrant, property seizure, federal audit, or contact from an agent or prosecutor.

Federal agents may describe an interview as voluntary or informal. Statements made during that interview may later become evidence, and knowingly making a materially false statement may result in a separate federal charge.

The government may describe a person as a witness, subject, or target, but those classifications can change. An attorney may communicate with prosecutors, seek clarification of the client’s status, respond to subpoenas, protect privileged information, and preserve evidence.

A federal grand jury reviews testimony and documents to determine whether probable cause exists to return an indictment. A grand jury subpoena may require testimony, documents, or both and should not be ignored.

The Federal Criminal Process

Every case is different, but a federal prosecution generally includes:

• Investigation and charging
  Agents and prosecutors collect evidence and may proceed through a criminal complaint, indictment, or information.
• Initial appearance and detention hearing
  A magistrate judge advises the accused of the charge and decides whether release conditions can reasonably assure appearance and protect the community.
• Discovery, investigation, and motions
  The defense reviews the government’s evidence, investigates the facts, consults appropriate experts, and challenges unlawful searches, statements, evidence, or defects in the charges.
• Plea negotiations or trial
  The accused may evaluate a proposed plea agreement or require the government to prove every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Sentencing and appeal
  After a conviction, the court considers the Presentence Investigation Report, Federal Sentencing Guidelines, statutory factors, restitution, forfeiture, and arguments from both sides. Legal errors may be reviewed on appeal.

Federal Sentencing

Federal sentencing is not determined only by the name of the offense. The advisory Guideline range may be affected by matters such as:

• Drug quantity
• Financial loss
• Number of alleged victims
• Firearm involvement
• The accused person’s alleged role
• Obstruction allegations
• Criminal history
• Conduct attributed to an alleged conspiracy

Sentencing preparation should begin early. Interviews, plea language, factual stipulations, expert analysis, restitution efforts, and mitigation evidence can affect the sentencing record.

When sentencing is necessary, Jones Law Office challenges unsupported calculations and presents the complete circumstances of the client’s background, responsibilities, conduct, and future.

What We Do for You

There is no single defense strategy that applies to every federal case. We carefully examine the indictment, federal agency reports, witness statements, electronic records, financial documents, and other evidence supporting the government’s allegations.

When appropriate, we work with investigators, forensic professionals, healthcare experts, and other specialists to test the government’s assumptions and identify favorable evidence.

Our representation may include:

• Responding to target letters, subpoenas, interview requests, warrants, and federal audits
• Communicating with federal agents and prosecutors
• Examining federal jurisdiction and the elements of the charged offenses
• Conducting an independent investigation
• Evaluating witness credibility, bias, and cooperation agreements
• Challenging unlawful searches, statements, surveillance, and identification procedures
• Preparing for detention hearings, motions, plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing
• Handling federal appeals and related post-conviction matters

When we become involved before charges are filed, we may also work to protect the client from formal charges when the facts and circumstances permit.

Contact the Attorneys at Jones Law Office

Federal investigators and prosecutors may have been developing their case before you knew an investigation existed. Early legal guidance can help you understand what the government is investigating, protect your rights, and avoid decisions that may harm your defense.

Jones Law Office represents clients facing federal investigations, grand jury proceedings, indictments, detention hearings, trials, sentencing, and appeals.

Call Jones Law Office at (574) 239-7017 or fill out the form to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.

At Jones Law Office, we fight tirelessly to protect you, your liberty, and your rights.