Topeka Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys

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Joseph, Hollander & Craft’s Topeka federal criminal defense attorneys regularly defend clients charged with federal crimes in the District of Kansas. Because we frequently appear before the judges in this district and have established working relationships with the prosecutors, our clients benefit from our practical knowledge of the system as much as our superior command of the law. Our clients also benefit from the valuable knowledge and perspective offered by the former federal prosecutor and a former federal law clerk on our Topeka federal criminal defense team. For first-class defense against federal charges, make JHC your first call.

Your Defense Against Federal Charges in Topeka

JHC’s federal defense attorneys in Topeka represent clients in federal criminal cases of every kind. Let us defend you against:

• Drug charges, including cases arising from:
  • car stops
  • house raids
  • informants
• Gun charges, including cases involving:
  • unlawful possession
  • unlawful use
  • unlawful sale or transfer / straw purchase
• White-collar charges, including:
  • embezzlement
  • money laundering
  • fraud
  • tax evasion
• Sex crime charges, including child pornography charges
• Environmental crime charges/wildlife violations

And more. JHC’s Topeka federal criminal defense lawyers are zealous advocates committed to offering top-quality federal criminal defense. No matter the case, no matter the crime, we can handle it.

Experienced Advocates in Kansas Federal Court

Federal law enforcement agencies and the prosecutors who work on behalf of the federal government have significantly more resources than their counterparts in the state system. As a result, federal criminal cases often involve complex, detailed, and cumbersome evidence. If you are charged with a federal crime in Topeka, you need a defense team with the technology and resources to thoroughly explore this information and prepare the best defense. With five offices across the state of Kansas and a team of experienced federal criminal defense attorneys, JHC has what it takes to defend your case all the way through trial—and appeal, if necessary.

Federal criminal defense work requires regularly working with federal criminal statutes, case law, procedures, and sentencing rules. It is truly unique compared to state practice. Because JHC’s Topeka federal crime defense lawyers handle these cases day in and day out, we know all the tricks of the trade. We are also familiar with the judges’ prior rulings and approaches to various evidentiary and sentencing issues. Let us put our unique combination of skill and knowledge to work for you.

Pre-Charge Representation for Federal Investigations

Federal law enforcement agencies often conduct investigations that last for months—even years. Toward the end of their investigation, law enforcement officers may reveal that you are the target of a federal criminal investigation (often by requesting to interview you or people with whom you conduct business). If this happens, don’t wait for charges to be filed; hire an attorney right away.

It is possible you will receive a target letter explicitly stating that you are the target of a federal criminal investigation. A target letter will only be sent after the feds determine they have substantial evidence to indicate you have committed a crime. The letter may warn you that you are not to destroy evidence, and it may encourage you to call a federal agent or prosecutor. To protect your rights and interests at this stage, you should only contact a prosecutor or law enforcement agent through an attorney.

Another way you may learn that you are the target of a federal investigation is through the execution of a search warrant at your home or office. Sometimes, officers execute a warrant, accuse you of a crime, collect evidence, then leave without an arrest. Do not assume this is the end of the investigation or that you have avoided an arrest. Contact the federal defense lawyers in JHC’s Topeka office so we can help you plan your next steps.

In any pre-charge scenario involving law enforcement officers or prosecutors, it is critical to have a qualified federal criminal defense attorney act on your behalf. When you hire JHC’s Topeka federal criminal defense attorneys for pre-charge representation, we can prevent you from having to take the stand before a federal grand jury, ensure your constitutional rights are respected and protected, and begin developing your defense plan. In some circumstances, we may be able to help you avoid charges or arrange a pre-charge agreement with the prosecution.

Top-Rated Federal Criminal Defense in Topeka

At JHC, we know you want to hire the best federal criminal defense law firm you can. With decades of experience defending clients charged in all three federal courthouses in the District of Kansas, our Topeka federal criminal defense lawyers have earned a reputation for excellence. You can see this in our client reviews and in our peer review ratings in Martindale Hubbell®, Best Lawyers in America®, and Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers®.

For premier federal criminal defense, call JHC’s Topeka federal crime lawyers today.

FAQ

Who investigates federal crimes?

The federal government has numerous law enforcement agencies that investigate specific types of criminal activity. Below is a list of federal agencies that investigate crime and some of the criminal activity they investigate.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): federal sex crimes, financial crimes, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): federal offenses involving controlled substances
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF): federal offenses involving firearms and explosives; arson and bombings; and illegal acts regarding alcohol and tobacco products
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): immigration offenses; terrorist activity of foreign nationals residing in the United States
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI): counter-terrorism; smuggling and trafficking (humans, weapons, drugs, cash); financial crimes, particularly money laundering; cybercrime; visa crimes
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS): violations of the U.S. tax laws; enforcement of the Internal Revenue Code
• Office of the Inspector General (OIG): crimes committed by government employees and contractors; financial crimes pertaining to programs like the Small Business Administration

What is a conspiracy, and how is it proven?

Federal prosecutions often involve conspiracy charges. To prove a conspiracy, the government needs to show that two or more people agreed to violate the law and one or more participants in the conspiracy took an overt act to further the objectives of the conspiracy. Prosecutors must show a defendant knew the objective of the conspiracy and voluntarily participated in it, but this can be demonstrated with circumstantial evidence. Because the essence of a conspiracy is an agreement, no proof of an actual offense needs to be shown and a person may be convicted even when no crime is ever committed.

A particularly troubling part about conspiracy law is that every co-conspirator is held responsible for the actions of all the other co-conspirators, even if they did not know what the other person was doing. Because of this, sentencing issues in federal conspiracy cases can be particularly complex.

If I’m charged in federal court, do I need a federal criminal defense lawyer?

Yes. You need an attorney licensed to practice in the federal court where your case is pending. If you are charged in federal court in Wichita, Topeka, or Kansas City, you need an attorney admitted to practice in the District of Kansas. Admission in state court only is not sufficient, and experience practicing in state court does not provide the same foundation as experience practicing in federal court.

It is possible for an attorney who is not admitted to practice in a particular district to be granted admission for a single case, but that is rarely beneficial. Experience with federal criminal defense generally is not the same as experience practicing in the district where your case is pending. Knowledge of the judges, prosecutors, and probation officers in the district, as well as the common practices and local resources available can prove invaluable. JHC’s federal criminal defense attorneys have the specific background and practical knowledge you need when you are facing federal charges in Kansas.