Federal Crimes

Federal crimes, or federal offenses, include crimes such as arms trafficking, arson, art theft, bank robbery, bribery, computer crime, drug offenses, kidnapping, income tax evasion, mail fraud, political corruption, and white-collar crime. These are crimes that are made illegal by United States federal legislation, occur on federal property such as an airport or federal government building, involve a federal agency such as the United States Post Office or the Internal Revenue Service, and/or cross state lines.

Often federal cases involve a conspiracy theory or contraband weapons or illegal drugs crossing state lines. In the case of drug crimes, the vast majority of these cases are tried in state court, while federal authorities choose to prosecute about 3% of drug cases in federal court. The determination of whether to try the case in state or federal court also depends on other factors such as availability of resources and the scope of the alleged crime.

Why Should Altman & Altman Handle my Federal Case?

Defending a federal crime requires understanding a complex set of laws and processes that differs from state laws. Our team of Massachusetts criminal defense attorneys is well-versed in the laws governing state and federal cases. Because the cards are stacked even further against the defendant in federal cases and the prosecution does not have to provide copies of the grand jury transcripts until just before trial, it is especially important to have an attorney who is also your advocate. The skilled attorneys at Altman & Altman, LLP will aggressively defend you in and out of the courtroom and work tirelessly to prepare your case.

Our criminal defense lawyers understand the legal process from both sides of the courtroom. They also pride themselves on their accessibility and empathy. We understand the incredible amount of stress and anxiety that a federal case often triggers, so our phones are answered 24/7 to ensure that you get the answers you need when you need them. Federal cases are serious, and our law firms understand this. The lawyers at Altman & Altman, LLP have represented clients in a variety of federal cases. We are skilled at securing the best possible outcome for our clients.

When and Why Should I Contact an Attorney Regarding Federal Crimes?

Most people who are contacted by a federal agency do not realize that they could be incriminating themselves as soon as they open their mouth. When an agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or other agency arrives at their doorstep and asks about a colleague, friend, or family member, the agent may be very casual and low-key, reassuring the person that someone else is being investigated, not them. Or they might coerce the person into giving them information immediately, saying that if they cooperate there will not be any issues. Sometimes they employ methods that are questionable (and potentially unconstitutional) to further the investigation.

Whatever strategies they employ, whether they are friendly or forceful, it’s important to consult an experienced attorney before speaking to a federal agent. Any information you provide during a meeting with a federal investigator can be used against you later. Even seemingly innocuous conversations can backfire, especially if what you say is inconsistent with other information given. This “shading of the truth” typically happens when someone is being questioned and gets nervous.

Following an initial meeting, the investigator will often disappear for several months, or even years, and you might forget about the incident or assume that the case was dropped. Usually this is because they are collecting evidence and building their case, as federal prosecutors are notorious for casting a wide net in their investigations.

You may not even know that you are being investigated, so if you have had any interactions with a federal agency or if you suspect you are being investigated, then now is the time to seek legal counsel. Do not wait until you are formally charged, because in the process you may unknowingly give prosecutors ammunition for their case against you. The sooner you consult an attorney, the sooner we can help you understand your rights and work to clear your name.

Contact our Boston/Cambridge federal crime attorneys for a free initial consultation if you suspect that you are being investigated or might be investigated for a federal crime.

Client Reviews

Review: Altman and Altman LLP

“I genuinely feel that Sam Goldberg gave my life back to me. For two years they guided me through the (at times very convoluted) legal process, from helping cut through the post incident remorse all the way through getting a “Not Guilty” verdict. I couldn’t have asked for more, and they are not just top notch attorneys but also a couple of the most stand-up guys that I know.If you’re looking for a lawyer, give them a call. They’ll give you the best representation not only at trial, but in the wrangling that goes on before it ever makes it to a jury as well. It was obvious that Sam’s experience as a former district attorney gave him significant advantage in understanding the prosecution, and his skills in the courtroom stole the show and I believe won me the case.I owe these guys a lot, and if you’re in the position I was in two years ago, you owe it to yourself to sit down with them and let them go over your case with you.”

– Trevor Thompson