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Illinois Federal Attorneys Lawyers
Illinois Federal Attorneys Lawyers
At Spodek Law Group, our Illinois federal criminal defense attorneys understand that if you’re here, you’re probably in a serious situation and need the best representation. Maybe you’ve received a target letter from federal authorities, or suddenly found yourself named in a federal indictment. Regardless of where you stand, our mission is the same: to protect your future and get your charges dropped or substantially reduced. Our federal defense lawyers understand how scary this process can be.
We have over 50 years of combined experience handling tough federal cases nationwide, including Illinois. We know that every client’s story is different. We also know that federal cases aren’t like your typical state prosecution. Federal cases have their own unique guidelines, protocols, etc. They often involve agents from organizations like the FBI, DEA, or IRS, applying federal statutes with mandatory minimum sentences and inflexible sentencing guidelines. Federal prosecutors approach cases with extensive resources, and we have the experience to match them. We commit to a hands-on approach from the moment you hire us.
Federal vs. State in Illinois
Illinois has its own legal system, but when you’re charged under federal law, you can’t just rely on attorneys who only do state cases. Most criminal lawyers are familiar with state laws – but are out of their league when dealing with federal cases. We’ve seen situations where clients thought “Double Jeopardy” would protect them because they’d already faced state-level charges. Unfortunately, the Double Jeopardy Clause only bars repeated prosecution by the same sovereign. Illinois and the federal government are separate entities. That means if you faced state charges and the U.S. Attorney’s Office decides to indict you, the federal process starts fresh. It’s normal to feel worried or overwhelmed when confronted by federal allegations – and it’s exactly why having the right counsel is crucial.
Building Your Defense: Multiple Strategies, Multiple Angles
We believe in roleplaying various scenarios early on. If you’re accused of wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343, for instance, we’ll explore if there was truly criminal intent, or if the government is stretching routine business errors into a federal fraud charge. If you’re under scrutiny for a drug conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846, we’ll investigate whether you were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes, a single piece of evidence – such as an improperly obtained wiretap or a flawed chain of custody on seized narcotics – offers a chance to challenge the evidence against you.
| Charge | Key Scenario | Potential Defense Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) | Prosecutors allege you used email or phone calls to defraud victims | Lack of criminal intent, or reliance on inaccurate third-party data |
| Drug Conspiracy (21 U.S.C. § 846) | Allegations you joined a multi-person scheme to distribute narcotics across Illinois | Illegal search/seizure, mistaken identity, or absence of overt acts |
| Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956) | Claim you processed illegal proceeds through seemingly legitimate transactions | Lack of knowledge about the funds’ origin, entrapment scenarios |
| Controlled Substances (21 U.S.C. § 841) | Accusation of manufacturing or distributing illegal drugs on a large scale | Fourth Amendment violations, coerced confessions, insufficient evidence |
In one hypothetical scenario, let’s say you’re under investigation for alleged fraud relating to a company you managed. Prosecutors might argue you manipulated financial statements to attract investors. You might insist you relied on data from colleagues and never intended to mislead anyone. We’d dig for internal communications, track how the documents were prepared, and cross-check evidence to show you weren’t part of any scheme. If the prosecution can’t prove fraudulent intent, there’s no conviction.
In another scenario, suppose you were arrested on drug trafficking conspiracy charges near Chicago. If law enforcement searched your property without a warrant, we’d challenge that under the Fourth Amendment, citing cases like Mapp v. Ohio to exclude illegally obtained evidence. If key evidence gets thrown out, the government’s case might collapse – or be forced into a plea deal that drastically reduces your exposure.
We’ve even handled matters where the government’s main angle was an alleged money-laundering scheme, but the facts told a different story: maybe you simply transferred funds on behalf of a business partner without realizing the money stemmed from unlawful activity. In that situation, we’d emphasize your lack of knowledge – because under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, the government must show you knew exactly what you were doing.
Sentencing Guidelines and Penalties
Federal charges can carry prison time that ranges from a few years to life. Financial penalties can soar into the hundreds of thousands – or even millions – depending on the alleged scheme. If convicted, you could face lengthy probation, strict supervised release terms, and restitution orders. Criminal charges risk your freedom, your career, and your peace of mind. Although judges must consider the guidelines, we work hard to minimize your sentence by highlighting mitigating factors and challenging the government’s interpretation. That’s where our decades of experience come in.
Our Commitment to Communication
From the moment you reach out to us, our Illinois federal criminal believe in full transparency. We have an online portal(we’re one of the few that do) where you can securely upload documents and monitor every development associated with your case. We’re also available 24/7 for a risk-free consultation – because we understand these situations don’t follow a nine-to-five schedule. Our firm only takes on clients we believe we can help.