Phoenix Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Phoenix, AZ Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Federal crimes are defined as those that result from a federal investigation or that happen on Reservation or national parkland. In Phoenix, Arizona, an experienced federal crime defense lawyer can help.

Because of their nature and/or the widespread incidence, most federal cases are very serious. A federal criminal lawsuit defense involves understanding complex laws and sentencing procedures.

To protect your rights throughout the prosecution and defend your innocence, you need a criminal defense lawyer with experience handling federal proceedings. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers at Ryan Garvey Attorneys can help.

Types of Federal Criminal Cases in Arizona

Federal cases cover a wide range of crimes:

• Bank robbery
• White collar crimes, including identity theft
• Fraud, including tax fraud
• Drug manufacturing
• Federal drug trafficking
• Internet crimes
• Federal weapons charge
• Violent crimes
• Murder

Cases may fall under federal jurisdiction when:

• It is investigated by the FBI or other federal law enforcement agency.
• It is investigated by task forces or other joint state and federal agencies.
• The crime scene crosses state lines.

Qualities of a Good Attorney

When you are looking for a lawyer to defend you against federal charges, you need one who has a specific skill set.  These abilities include:

• Trustworthiness – You need to be able to trust your lawyer. You want to be able to believe in their ability to defend your rights and your case. There’s a lot at stake in a federal criminal case. It’s important that you feel confident that your attorney can exhaust every option on your behalf before the verdict comes in.
• Adaptability – A lot can change in the course of a criminal trial. A good attorney can put in thorough preparation, but no matter how exhaustive the preparation, there are always unexpected things that come up in the course of a trial. You need an attorney who can think quickly and adapt to the unexpected. Their ability to counter the unforeseen could be the difference in your case.
• Knowledge – Federal law may be similar to state law, but there are also a number of subtle differences as well. It’s important to work with a lawyer who has a deep understanding of how criminal law and the judicial process work at the federal level.
• Experience – You want a lawyer who isn’t going to be surprised at something that comes up when handling your case. The right teacher for these kinds of things is experience. You want an attorney who’s been there and seen that before.
• Thinks Like a Prosecutor – It’s critical that a defense attorney be able to think like the prosecution. Part of preparing a defense in a criminal case involves predicting how the prosecution will argue the case, and then challenging those arguments. They need to be able to predict what evidence the prosecution is going to rely on so that they can attack the viability of that evidence. They need to see the holes in the prosecution’s narrative so that they can prepare to expose them to the jury. This is something that comes easily to a Phoenix federal criminal defense attorney like Ryan Garvey, who had a successful career as a prosecutor before moving on to criminal defense.
• Detail-Oriented – It’s not typically the reveal of some grand piece of evidence that can make or break a criminal trial. More often, it’s a series of small details that create enough cracks to cause the prosecution’s case to crumble. You need an attorney who recognizes the small details and can make those flaws clear to the jury.
• Creativity – There are generally some standard defensive strategies that a lawyer can use in a criminal case. However, there is a need to adapt those strategies to the specifics of the case that they are dealing with.  This can take creativity.
• Aggressiveness – You want a lawyer who is relentless in their defense of you. An aggressive lawyer won’t dismiss any option, and that can often be what’s necessary to win a case.

Federal Charges FAQs

Q: Does It Help to Hire a Lawyer Before My Arrest?

A: Many people don’t think that they need a lawyer until after they’ve been arrested. They mistakenly think that a lawyer can’t do anything for them until they are brought in on some sort of charge. This can be a critical mistake. Your rights don’t just begin when the case moves into the judicial system. You have rights throughout the legal process, including rights against self-incrimination and the right to remain silent. It’s also critical that you protect your right to protection from unlawful searches. Investigators are prohibited from detaining you without an arrest, meaning that you can leave during their questioning. Working with a criminal defense lawyer can help you protect all these rights. They can help during the investigation process and ensure that you aren’t subject to violations of these rights.

Additionally, working with a lawyer during the investigation can help your defense. Your lawyer will be able to begin their investigation at that time and start putting together a defensive strategy. Importantly, they can help ensure that you are able to preserve any counter-evidence and don’t accidentally get rid of something that may have been valuable to your case.

Q: What Should I Look for in a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer?

A: A strong criminal defense requires a lot of versatility on the part of a criminal defense lawyer. Every case is different and may require a different set of abilities. You need a lawyer with a wide range of skills. Some of the traits to look for include:

• Trustworthiness
• Knowledge
• Adaptability
• Creativity
• Experience
• Aggressiveness
• Background as a Prosecutor
• Attentiveness

Q: How Can I Defend Against Federal Crimes?

A: The specifics of how a case is defended will depend on the particulars of the case itself. However, it’s important to remember what burden is placed on the prosecution and what that means for the defense. To secure a conviction, the jury must be persuaded “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the defendant is guilty. That is what the prosecution must prove.

It also means that the defense must find a way to create a reasonable doubt in the minds of the jury. This is generally what defense lawyers attempt to do when they argue that their client didn’t commit the act in question. They may attempt to prove an alibi or attack the credibility of the prosecution’s evidence. In some select cases, the defense may be forced to admit that the act in question did occur, as the evidence is so overwhelming. However, there may be other defenses available that explain why it still doesn’t mean that the defendant is guilty of a crime. For instance, self-defense or entrapment defenses are based on these kinds of arguments.

Q: What Should I Do If I’m Arrested?

A: If you are arrested, the police may attempt to coax a confession out of you. They will remind you of your Miranda rights, including the right to remain silent. It’s important that you take advantage of these rights. Ideally, say nothing at all until your lawyer arrives. It’s their job to ensure that you don’t mistakenly say or do something that may later be used against you. Therefore, you will want to call for a lawyer as soon as you are given the opportunity.

Contact Our Phoenix Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

If arrested for or charged with a federal crime, an experienced Phoenix federal criminal defense lawyer at the Ryan Garvey Attorneys can help you fight heavy fines and/or federal prison terms. Call us at 602-296-3434. Offering free legal consultations for those who have been charged or accused of a crime in the state of Arizona.