Federal law enforcement agencies have immense power and resources. They can investigate anything from international criminal enterprises to individual firearms sales. These agencies usually conduct thorough investigations, and the U.S. Justice Department can seek harsh punishments in the cases they bring.
The U.S. government files federal charges against thousands of people nationally every month. The Western District of Missouri, including Kansas City, Springfield, and Jefferson City, can see as many as 1,200 federal arrests per year.
When you face federal criminal charges, you will have the entire might of the U.S. government against you.
The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC stands by your side as you fight your federal criminal case. We have extensive experience fighting cases in U.S. District Court and have obtained positive results for many clients. Contact us to discuss your charges and learn how we will fight for you.
The federal government has limited jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes. This has a few important implications. First, the federal government doesn’t handle state crimes like shoplifting or DUI. Federal criminal law tends to cover interstate and international matters or crimes that affect national interests.
Second, federal prosecutors can be selective about the cases they bring. They focus on winnable cases and have a 90% conviction rate.
In a typical federal case, a federal law enforcement agency spends time and resources gathering evidence before turning a case over to the Justice Department for prosecution. Agencies that investigate federal crimes include:
These agencies are tasked with investigating a wide range of crimes, including:
Many federal investigations focus on criminal enterprises. The government can use state crimes committed by members of these enterprises to bring federal charges. As a result, federal investigations can also cover murder, trafficking in stolen property, and arson.
Some examples of cases we handle include the following.
One of the most powerful tools for U.S. prosecutors is the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
RICO was originally written to target the leaders of organized crime groups who delegated criminal activities, like extortion, fraud, and money laundering, to lower-ranking members. These predicate acts can also include violent crimes like homicide, arson, and armed robbery.
Now, the government uses it for all kinds of conspiracies to tie disparate acts and actors into a single criminal enterprise. Prosecutors have used RICO to go after businesses, sometimes sweeping up workers with knowledge or intention of being involved in crimes.
Sometimes, the best strategy is to get out in front of a RICO investigation. We can advise you about your potential criminal liability before an arrest and discuss your options during the investigation, including contacting authorities to explain what happened or offer your cooperation.
If you have already been arrested, we will thoroughly review the government’s evidence and its investigation. We will bring to the court’s attention any illegally gathered information and fight against any attempt to convict you simply for associating with the wrong people.
The U.S. Code includes many laws governing the possession, transportation, sale, and use of firearms. Gun dealers must have licenses and conduct background checks on purchasers. People with any of the following cannot even possess a firearm:
In addition, U.S. law enhances sentences for certain crimes committed using a firearm, including a violent felony or felony drug trafficking. Finally, federal law outlaws ownership of the following by nearly everyone:
As with all criminal prosecutions, the government has the legal burden to prove every element. We can often defend you by pointing out that the government cannot prove intent. If the pistol in your home was left by someone else without your knowledge, you probably did not “possess” it.
The government can charge someone with drug trafficking if it has evidence they engaged in any of the following with a controlled substance:
The defenses we can raise as your federal criminal defense attorney in Kansas City often depend on the prosecution’s evidence of your intent. We can try to show that you didn’t know you were handling a controlled substance.
For example, if someone asked you to deliver a wrapped package and you had no knowledge or suspicion of its contents, you may have a defense.
Similarly, we can assert the controlled substance was not in your control and possession. If you gave a ride to your friend who had drugs in their pocket without your knowledge, you might have a defense.
Kidnapping usually falls under Missouri law. But it can become a federal case if the government alleges you crossed a state or international border. In Kansas City, this can happen simply by driving across the state line from Kansas to Missouri.
Federal kidnapping charges can also happen when the accused kidnapper uses an instrument of interstate commerce to send a ransom demand. Thus, mailing, phoning, or emailing someone to demand ransom could trigger federal charges.
However, federal kidnapping charges require more than simply carrying someone across state lines. The detention and movement must happen against the alleged victim’s will. Thus, we can present the defense that you reasonably believed the victim consented.
Federal laws cover many financial and white-collar crimes, including:
White-collar criminal cases often turn on case-specific details like the accused fraudster’s intent and the nature of the transaction.
A fine line exists between criminal activities and some legitimate business practices. When prosecutors file cases, they sometimes try to prosecute businesses and individuals for failed but entirely legal business dealings.
When we defend you or your business from federal white-collar charges, we often use expert witnesses to analyze and explain the situation to prosecutors, the judge, and the jury. We can also raise defenses based on a lack of intent to commit these offenses.
Although prosecutors bear the burden of proof in criminal cases, you should avoid the temptation to sit back and hope they fail to prove their case. You could pay a heavy price upon conviction, so you should have an experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled federal criminal defense attorney on your side.
When you hire The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC, our attorneys will provide a vigorous defense against your charges, including the following:
The legal team you hire for your case can help you obtain a fair outcome for your charges. Contact us to learn how we defend people and businesses facing federal charges.
A conviction in federal court can result in incarceration, fines, and a criminal record that could disqualify you from federal employment and government benefits. Contact The Bates and Merryman Law Firm LLC to discuss your federal charges and your options for fighting them.
If you have been arrested or believe you may be the target of a criminal investigation, contact the criminal defense attorneys at The Bates & Merryman Law Firm today.
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