Pittsburgh Federal Crime Attorney

Defending Clients in Federal Cases Throughout Western Pennsylvania

If you are being investigated for criminal activity by a federal agency or if you have already been charged with a federal crime in Pittsburgh or elsewhere in western Pennsylvania, you will need a criminal defense attorney who is licensed to practice in federal court. A Pittsburgh criminal lawyer at our firm has the experience and knowledge needed to defend you in a federal case; our firm knows its way around both state and federal courts, each of which has its own separate laws and procedures.

Federal Crime Defense in Pittsburgh, PA

Crimes which cross state borders, are committed on federal property, or which are listed under Title 18 or Title 26 of the United States Code are all federal offenses. Many federal agencies have been given authority to investigate such crimes, including the FBI, DEA, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Secret Service, the IRS, the U.S. Postal System, and others.

Common crimes that are prosecuted on the federal level include drug trafficking, tax evasion, mail fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, securities fraud, child pornography, counterfeiting and forgery, racketeering, terrorism, and alien smuggling. Often, conspiracy charges will accompany these if two or more persons are working together to commit the crime. Federal crimes are prosecuted and punished according to federal guidelines. Punishments for federal crimes can be very harsh, which means that it is imperative that you have a highly-qualified attorney.

Federal courts must follow the United States Sentencing Guidelines when determining punishments. Those who are convicted of crimes are given points for such factors as the use of weapons, the amount of loss to victims, and the ages of victims involved. Further points are given to repeat offenders, which increases the level of the penalties. These guidelines restrict judges in their sentencing and also restrict the availability of plea bargains. 

Because of the very serious nature of being accused of a federal offense, you should not delay in retaining the services of the Pittsburgh federal crimes attorney at our firm.