Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers in New Jersey

Aggressive Criminal Defense Lawyers Represent Clients Accused of Federal Crimes in Essex County, Union County, Morris County, Middlesex County, Bergen County and Somerset County, NJ

While crimes prosecuted at the state level must be taken seriously, it is often the case that when a crime is prosecuted at the federal level, the stakes may be much higher for the defendant. The federal government and Department of Justice tend to get involved in cases involving much more serious charges that have attracted the attention of various government agencies, such as the FBI or Treasury Department. In many cases, mandatory sentencing guidelines may even apply so that the judge has little discretion in imposing substantial prison terms. Further, if you or a loved one have been charged with a federal crime, you need a lawyer with experience handling cases in the federal courts, where the procedures and rules are much different from those that apply in New Jersey state courts.

At Zegas Law, our skilled federal criminal defense lawyers have a nuanced understanding of the rules that apply at the federal level and know what’s at stake when you are facing federal charges. We work to not only build the strongest possible charges to the crime you have been accused of committing, but are also focused on having those charges reduced or dismissed before trial if at all possible in your case. We have decades worth of experience successfully helping clients minimize the potentially harsh consequences of federal criminal conviction and are here to help in your case.

Types of Crimes That May Require a Federal Criminal Defense in North Jersey

Although many crimes are defined by statutes at both the state and federal, certain types of offenses are more likely to end up in federal court in New Jersey because of the actions involved in the offense itself. Some common examples of crimes that are frequently prosecuted in federal court include:

Money laundering
Tax fraud and evasion
Bank and mortgage fraud
Mail and wire fraud
Securities fraud
White collar crimes
Child pornography
Internet crimes
Conspiracy and RICO crimes
Federal drug crimes
Certain weapons offenses
Immigration charges
Extortion, Bribery and other Public Corruption
Kidnapping
Racketeering
Hate crimes
Health Care Fraud

Seasoned Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Advocate for Clients Charged with Federal Crimes in Northern New Jersey

Crimes can be prosecuted at the federal level for any number of reasons that can vary from case to case. Examples of situations where federal charges may apply instead of state charges include:

The U.S. mail or other government entity was involved,
The crime was a violent crime committed against a federal employee,
The defendant crossed state or international lines in committing the crime charged,
A federal agency was involved,
The crime was specifically enumerated under federal law, such as in cases involving the federal money laundering statute or the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

At Zegas Law, we are committed to building the strongest defense available if you are facing federal charges in North Jersey. Because we have been handling cases in federal court for such a long period of time, we have built a network of contacts that we can call upon as appropriate in your case. We work with the most well-respected and talented forensic experts available and draw upon their experience to strengthen your federal criminal defense. Mitigating evidence, including hard exculpatory evidence and strong, credible character witnesses, can be critical in these cases and we comprehensively investigate your case to uncover all available evidence that might work in your favor.

Contact our Hard-Hitting Criminal Defense Lawyers to Discuss Your Federal Charges Today

When you are facing federal charges, you have too much at risk to trust an inexperienced criminal defense lawyer or a lawyer with little experience advocating before the federal courts in New Jersey. Our skilled North Jersey federal criminal defense lawyers are here to put our experience to work for you, and will stand by your side through all phases of the federal criminal justice system. To schedule a confidential consultation with our federal criminal defense team, call our office or fill out this online contact form today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Criminal Defense Strategies

FAQ: Why are federal criminal charges different than New Jersey state criminal charges?

While the alleged actions that the defendant took may be specifically covered by a federal statute, federal cases differ from state-level prosecution on many different levels apart from the unique federal statutory scheme. Importantly, government entities that investigate crimes at the federal level tend to have much more substantial resources than state-level investigative bodies—meaning that they have the resources necessary to gather much more evidence and often build a stronger case. Prison sentences imposed for federal crimes can also be much harsher than state-level offenses and federal sentencing guidelines can be much more rigid. In the end, you need a lawyer with specific experience successfully handling federal criminal cases.

FAQ: Can a state-level offense be transferred to federal court? Why might this happen?

Yes. In some cases, what begins as a state or local criminal investigation will end up being prosecuted in federal court for any number of reasons. When multiple defendants or parties are involved, federal intervention can be justified. Conspiracy or federal RICO charges often result when multiple defendants are involved. Cases involving especially egregious allegations or, for example, large amounts of drugs, may also be elevated to the federal level.

FAQ: How can a federal criminal defense lawyer help me?

In addition to thoroughly evaluating the evidence to uncover flaws in the prosecution’s case or present exculpatory evidence of our own, we can explore any number of options to have the charges against you reduced or even obtain immunity. In some cases, the prosecution may wish to uncover evidence against another person who was allegedly involved in the same criminal scheme, and may be willing to grant immunity in exchange for information. Other defense strategies include challenging the admissibility of evidence, the credibility of witnesses and the prosecution’s motives for investigating and charging you with the crime in the first place (for example, on the basis of racial bias or flawed testimony).

Fearless
“Alan Zegas represented me in a high-profile criminal case. He has a brilliant mind, with strong institutional knowledge and an extraordinary command of the law. He was detail oriented, an enormously strategic thinker, fearless, compassionate, personally accessible on a 24/7 basis, and was all in for me. He was always well prepared and often could see things that others did not. Most importantly, he provided an honest and straightforward assessment of the facts. Alan acted entirely in my best interest, without regard to running up billable hours or moving my case into an unwinnable position. He was always kind, but never hesitant to be blunt and forthcoming. He exuded competence and professionalism at every moment throughout the process.”
Extremely Thorough
“Alan is a master of the art of law, is extremely thorough and meticulous to every detail. He speaks softly but carries a big stick. It is obvious that he is given a great deal of respect in the court room. I knew I was in the best of hands from the get go. For such matters, you need the very best. Alan earned my complete trust. There are a great deal of firms out there with many partners, and associates. Alan is a solo guy, so you know your case is getting his personal attention. As an example, he was always accessible by phone or text. I am grateful for everything he did for me.”

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