There is no greater or more powerful government policing authority than the United States government. Armed with countless investigative agencies and cutting edge technology, the United States government prosecutes individuals pursuant to an ever-changing body of federal criminal laws. This is a completely different legal framework from any state penal system and can include cases from mortgage fraud and drug trafficking to human smuggling, child pornography and foreign and domestic terrorism. Rather than being investigated by the Houston Police Department or Harris County Sheriff's Office, for example, a person facing a federal criminal case may be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Federal Postal Inspectors or even the Department of Energy.
While the general principals of defending a criminal case are the same in the state and federal systems, they differ vastly in both law and practice. The stakes are usually much higher, and the maze of federal sentencing law is increasingly complicated. Federal criminal cases often take years before maturing into an indictment, and this can give people under suspicion a false sense of security. For these and many other reasons it is imperative that you hire someone with federal experience to navigate through your federal case, and the sooner the better. Do not wait until you are already indicted; an attorney can help you from the very moment you realize you are being investigated.
You can be stopped at the airport, home, or work and approached by innocuous-seeming, friendly investigators. Please remember: before you even consider speaking with anyone carrying a badge and a gun, contact a defense lawyer. You are unlikely to help your case, and they will not leave you alone. They are trained professionals, and you need a trained professional to deal with them.
Katine & Nechman in Houston, Texas can help you with your federal criminal case anywhere in the United States. We can help you protect yourself, preserve your liberty, and exercise your rights under the law.
If you or someone you know are under investigation or are currently facing federal charges, call us to arrange a confidential consultation with one of our attorneys. Your freedom is our business.
