NYC
Federal Criminal
Lawyer
Federal Criminal Attorney in New York City
If you have been accused of a federal crime in the state of New York, it is essential to speak with a New York criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Federal crimes are likely to carry more serious consequences than state violations, and federal prosecutors and investigative agencies have many more resources to create a case against you. An NYC federal criminal lawyer helps you protect your future against these serious cases and potentially avoid conviction.
Only experienced counsel, such as the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can negotiate legal maneuvers in a United States Federal Court that might mitigate or avoid the severe penalties you face.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney
Facing federal charges in New York can be challenging and leave you feeling defeated. It’s intimidating to go up against the heavily resourced US prosecution and investigative agencies. However, you have options. Working against federal charges is more than possible with an experienced and knowledgeable federal criminal defense attorney.
The federal criminal defense team at the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, has years of experience advocating for individuals whose livelihoods and futures are threatened by the federal government. We work one-on-one with clients to understand the intricate details of their cases and to immediately address any questions or concerns that they may have. Our firm is excellent for the following reasons:
- 24/7 availability to help with late-night court appearances and quickly address your other needs
- Quick response times, returning all calls and emails within hours
- The experience from thousands of cases is handled based on a history of winning results
- Multilingual services available, including Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, Hungarian, Italian, and more
- State and federal court experience, including federal courts like the US District Court for the Southern District of New York
In addition to federal criminal law being complex and intricate, it is also constantly evolving. Our knowledgeable federal criminal defense lawyers are up to date about relevant federal legislation and can clearly explain to you the implications and legality of your charges.
We believe strongly in communicating with our clients, and we will keep you updated on the status of your case and provide you with all the information that you need to assist you in making informed decisions.
Many federal crimes come with mandatory minimum sentences, meaning that if the defendant is convicted, they may have to spend years of their life in prison, despite relevant details to the case. Our law firm understands what is at stake and will advocate fiercely for you both in and out of the courtroom. We can leverage defense strategies such as arguing that there is not enough incriminating evidence or negotiating with the prosecution to get less serious charges.
What Are Federal Cases?
Federal cases are cases handled by US federal courts. They begin with either a complaint or indictment being filed by a United States prosecuting attorney.
If a complaint has been filed, it will contain the legal reasoning behind the suggested charge. In most cases, US federal agencies such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will respond to a complaint by making an arrest and filing an indictment.
During an indictment, the prosecution will need to present the legal rationale and reasoning behind a suggested charge to a grand jury. An indictment determines if there is enough evidence to file charges. It will be up to this grand jury to decide whether to approve the government’s attempt to secure a criminal conviction.
If a complaint has been filed and a defendant has been arrested, the next phase of a federal court case will involve an initial appearance by the defendant in front of a judge. During this hearing, the judge will review the complaint, and the defendant will be told their legal rights.
Proceedings begin to determine whether or not the defendant will be eligible to receive a bail bond. A bond allows them to be conditionally released from federal authorities while the case proceeds to trial.
What Types of Cases Are Handled in Federal Court?
Common cases prosecuted in federal court include:
Serious theft crimes. In 2024, there were 49 arrests and six convictions for grand larceny in the first degree in New York City. Major theft offenses involving significant or dangerous property are more likely to be charged federally.
Drug trafficking or manufacture. There were eight arrests and no convictions in 2024 for operating as a major drug trafficker. Federal investigators and prosecutors are more likely to address major operations involving dangerous substances or operations that cross state lines.
Medicaid, Insurance, CARES Act, and PPP Fraud. There were 11 arrests and eight convictions for welfare, insurance, and healthcare fraud in the city in 2024. Federal jurisdiction is more likely to address high-value fraud or fraud that impacts federal programs.
Other white-collar crimes. Insider trading offenses or major embezzlement cases are more likely to be handled federally.
Murder or manslaughter. There were 839 arrests and 386 convictions for murder and manslaughter offenses, which included vehicular manslaughter, in 2024 in New York City. There were a total of 357 murders reported in the city under the index crime.
What Federal Agencies Can Lead Investigations Against Me in New York?
There is a wide range of agencies in the United States that can carry out investigations against individuals in New York City and ultimately press charges under federal jurisdiction. Each agency investigates different types of crimes depending on its mandate and sphere of influence. Some of the following agencies that can carry out an NY federal investigation against you include:
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA has jurisdiction over drug-related crimes that involve interstate matters, such as drug trafficking across state lines or manufacturing in multiple states.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC carried out investigations related to interstate financial crimes or financial crimes against the US government. For example, the SEC may investigate crimes such as insider trading or wire fraud that amount to federal crimes.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS investigates federal tax-related crimes, which can include federal tax fraud.
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The FBI is an agency of the US government that can investigate a wide variety of serious federal crimes, ranging from human trafficking to conspiracy offenses.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE investigates crimes related to immigration, which can range from document fraud to smuggling crimes.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service. This agency investigates offenses related to mail, which can include mail fraud.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA investigates environmental law violations, like illegal disposals, wire fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering.
If you have a suspicion that there is an ongoing federal investigation against you in New York, then it is important to contact a federal criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights. They can help confirm that no evidence is obtained against you illegally and that you are not arrested or investigated personally without adequate permits and documentation.
Who Prosecutes a Federal Crime in New York?
In New York and the United States, the lead prosecutor for each case is the United States Attorney. They are responsible for confirming that there is reasonable evidence to hold a grand jury against an individual or prosecute them in a federal case. For each state, there is a US Attorney who sits at the head of each district.
In the state of New York, there are four main districts, and New York City is split into two of the main districts, which are New York County and Kings County. In the courtroom proceedings, an assistant US Attorney is present to carry out the prosecution. A federal criminal defense lawyer can help defend the case and against the evidence presented by the federal prosecution presiding over your case.
What Is a New York Grand Jury?
A grand jury is a group of individuals who are citizens of New York or the United States who come together to be presented with a certain case by federal prosecutors for an indictment hearing.
A grand jury comes to a decision about whether there is probable cause to indict the individual facing an investigation.
A grand jury session is held in secret, in which there is no presence of a defense counsel or a judge. Therefore, the prosecutor is in control of all the evidence that is presented and considered by the grand jury.
In a grand jury, it’s required that the prosecutor present all evidence that could be potentially favorable for the defendant. However, there are no formal methods in place to guarantee that this happens. Because of this, it is often concluded that there is probable cause that the target of the indictment committed the alleged crime.
An indictment does not mean you are guilty, however. It only means the prosecutor can officially file charges. You still have the right to a trial.
If you have recently faced a grand jury indictment, then a NYC federal criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can assist you by helping build an optimal defense and protecting your rights.
What Are the Benefits of Working With a Federal Defense Attorney in New York?
There are several benefits to working with a skilled federal defense attorney, including help with:
Assessing the Case and Providing Consultation
When you hire a NYC federal sentencing criminal lawyer, the first thing that they will be able to do is provide you with an assessment and consultation on your case. When you are charged with any type of federal crime, it can be very scary and stressful to understand the potential outcomes. A lawyer will be able to complete a full review of your charges and tell you what the charges mean and what potential and likely outcomes are.
Once you have a better understanding of your charges and potential penalties, your criminal lawyer will be able to develop a strategy for defending you against the crime. This means building a plan on how to proceed and assessing whether you should try to negotiate a plea deal or if you should mount a defense against the charges entirely in court.
The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler can give you legal guidance to help you throughout each phase of the process. Your case will be examined in a timely manner so that you can start preparing for court sooner. Call today to receive a consultation.
Providing Negotiations
If the prosecution offers a plea deal, an attorney can assess whether it is a beneficial result for your case. If you decide that you would like to avoid the legal trial process, your criminal lawyer can help you negotiate a plea and a fair sentence. This can lead to a lower charge and avoid the risk of going to jail. However, you still might have to deal with some form of punishment and could have a criminal record for life.
Defending You in Trial
If you decide that the ideal option is to try to defend against the charges in court, your defense attorney could provide you with very valuable defense assistance. Your lawyer will be able to help you by building a sound defense, presenting it in the courtroom, and then handling any deliberations that take place with the prosecutors. Ultimately, this will greatly enhance your chances of winning as you will have someone on your side who will be experienced with the process.
Potentially Avoiding a Conviction
If you are charged with a federal crime, you could be facing some very severe punishments. This can include facing a significant number of financial penalties, imprisonment, and losses of other types of freedom.
Due to the seriousness of being charged with a federal crime, you need a criminal lawyer on your side during the full extent of the process. Your criminal defense attorney advocates for you prior to a trial, negotiates a plea deal, and represents you in court to help you avoid conviction and the harsh consequences on your future.
Navigating the Sentence and Decision Appeal
If you are charged with a crime and convicted in the court of law, you will receive a sentence that is set forth by a judge. The judge will determine where you will be sent to jail and how long you will be there.
If you are convicted of a crime, your federal defense lawyer will work with the prosecutor and judge to come up with a fair sentencing. This will help to prevent any attempt to set an example and help you to receive a sentence that is as lenient as possible.
If you receive an unfair sentence, your NYC federal sentencing criminal lawyer will be able to appeal this sentence for you. This can include going through the entire appeals process to try to overturn the judgment and even overturning the length of the sentence.
Following the completion and sentencing of a federal court case, every defendant has the right to pursue an appeal of the criminal conviction. If a plea bargain has been reached previously, it is possible for a defendant’s right to appeal to be waived.
It is essential to secure a qualified New York federal criminal defense lawyer to negotiate each phase of a federal court case. Your criminal lawyer will continue to provide you with services for years to come if you continue to need defense and support.
FAQs About NYC Federal Criminal Laws
What Are the Top Five Federal Crimes?
Some of the top federal crimes are handled by federal courts rather than state courts. These include major drug trafficking and manufacturing operations, theft offenses involving federal property or significant amounts of money, fraud offenses impacting federal benefits and other federal programs, major Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) operations, and murder or manslaughter charges. Each case is unique, however, and many factors affect whether it falls under federal jurisdiction.
What Makes a Case Go Federal in New York?
A criminal case in New York is more likely to be handled in federal courts when the crime crosses state lines, involves major operations, involves a significant amount of theft or property that is dangerous, affects a federal benefits program, occurs on federal property, or violates federal-specific statutes. Technically, any criminal case could be handled by federal courts, but most are handled by the state.
Do Federal Cases Usually Result in Convictions?
Federal cases involve prosecutions with more resources and abilities to secure convictions, so convictions are more likely, but they are not guaranteed. A federal agency is likely to only pursue a case and have a prosecutor file charges when they have a substantial case, so you should take these cases especially seriously. You may be able to avoid conviction or mitigate your sentence by working with a skilled federal criminal defense attorney.
Do You Need to Hire a Federal Criminal Lawyer in New York?
While you don’t have to hire a federal criminal lawyer in New York, it is highly recommended that you do. Federal criminal charges are some of the most serious offenses you can face, and failing to hire a defense attorney means you are much more likely to be convicted, face severe and overly harsh penalties, and have your entire future affected. An attorney helps you find the ideal defense and protects your rights, advocating for a beneficial outcome.
NYC Federal Criminal Lawyer | Top-Rated Law Firm
Facing federal criminal charges can be overwhelming and threatening, as a conviction can lead to lifelong consequences, including a tarnished reputation and a criminal record. In addition to facing prison time and large fines, you can lose access to housing, education, and professional opportunities that can block you and your family from progressing forward in life.
A federal criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, is crucial. We can help put forward a strong defense or work towards other sustainable solutions, depending on the details of your case.
The federal criminal defense law firm of Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, is ready to advocate for you. Call the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, after a federal arrest, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Contact us online today to schedule your consultation.
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Rob is a great criminal defense attorney whom I would recommend for his expertise and communication-style.
—Brad
Robert knew exactly what he was doing and he got the CHARGES DISMISSED!!! Couldn't ask for a better attorney. I definitely recommend him.
—Mike
The best criminal defense lawyer. Takes his client’s calls at any time of the day or night. He was always there for me and my family. Saved my life.
—Jacquille
I retained Robert Tsigler to help me with a criminal case. He exceeded all my expectations and was able to get a great resolution for me... He was highly respected by the district attorney.
—David
I hired Robert to defend me in a case where the cops arrested me for something I didn't do. I was really worried and angry that I was arrested for something that wasn't my fault. Robert told me to relax and that he would handle everything. He kept his word and got all the charges dropped!
—Joe
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Facing federal criminal charges can be overwhelming and threatening, as a conviction can lead to lifelong consequences, including a tarnished reputation and a criminal record. In addition to facing prison time and large fines, you can lose access to housing, education, and professional opportunities that can block you and your family from progressing forward in life.
Therefore, a federal criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, can help put forward a strong defense or work towards other sustainable solutions depending on the details of your case. The Federal Criminal Defense Law firm of Robert Tsigler, PLLC is Ready to Fight for You! Call PLLC Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week after a federal arrest. Call 718-878-3781 or contact us online today to schedule your consultation.
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