Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys, the men to turn to

The mission of a nation's federal criminal defense attorneys is to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or other misconduct. A federal criminal defense attorney is a lawyer specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal conduct. Federal criminal defense attorneys deal with the issues surrounding the apprehension, searches of client or property, and arrest of their clients in view of the Fourth Amendment, as well as any statements the client may have made, in view of the Fifth Amendment.

Federal criminal defense attorneys also deal with the substantive issues of the crimes with which his or her clients are charged. Federal criminal defense attorneys are entitled to the presumption of innocence until prosecutors prove each essential element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Serious crimes like felonies are tried to juries of twelve people and the jury must be unanimous in its verdict to either convict or acquit the defendant. A split in the jury is often called a "hung jury" and may result in a retrial of the defendant. Federal criminal defense attorneys actively pursue their client's cause through all stages of a criminal prosecution.

Federal criminal defense attorneys who are employed by governmental entities such as counties, states, and the federal government are often referred to as public defenders. These are often fresh law school graduates seeking to gain quick courtroom experience, but there are many older, extremely well experienced lawyers who have made public defending a lifetime vocation. There are also private defense lawyers who are retained by individual clients on a case by case basis. The work of a federal criminal defense attorney can be intimidating for some lawyers as the spectre of a client going to jail for long periods of time or even being subjected to capital punishment looms over some defendants.

Federal criminal defense attorneys can help people who have been accused of crimes in areas such as white collar crime, SEC violations, tax crimes, asset forfeiture, fraud, drug possession, drug trafficking, conspiracy, racketeering (RICO cases), money laundering, theft, extradition, and public corruption. Most experienced federal criminal defense attorneys are admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, and all lower Federal Courts, including U.S. Tax Court. A major number from the country's federal criminal defense attorneys are interested in representing clients whose professional reputations, assets, and social status would be at risk if convicted of a serious white collar crime. This includes, but is not limited to, stockbrokers, bank officers, CEO's, attorneys, physicians, entrepreneurs, and other trade professionals.

Good federal criminal defense attorneys investigate every theory, consider every approach, and pursue every ethical strategy under the law as they analyze the often complex cases. They mount the defense case with a relentless commitment to protecting the interests of their clients.