Virginia Beach Federal Criminal Lawyers
Your Life in Virginia Beach and Federal Criminal Investigations
Your life in Virginia Beach can take a dramatic turn as soon as you become aware that you are the subject of a federal criminal investigation. Regardless of the nature of the federal charges against you, the penalties that you may face if you are convicted can be harsh. Depending on the crime, you could potentially spend decades in prison, be forced to pay huge fines, and be exposed to other punishments. You understandably need to do what you can to avoid a conviction. One of the most important steps that you can take to defend yourself against the charges is to hire a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who has experience working on federal cases. Spodek Law Group proudly serves our valued clients in the Virginia Beach area. Our federal criminal defense lawyers bring more than five decades of proven experience to the table, and we want to learn more about your case.
How Your Lawyer Serves You Throughout the Legal Process
As you prepare to hire a federal criminal defense lawyer, it is important to know that the quality and the effectiveness of the defense can vary dramatically from one lawyer to another. In addition, the attorney’s oral communication skills and even his or her desire to work in your best interest can vary. After all, some attorneys may be inclined to push for a plea bargain because they want to avoid a trial. The best attorney for your case is one who will always place your best interests in the driver’s seat and who has the experience and skills to deliver the most favorable outcome under the law.
The federal criminal process may be lengthier than you realize, and your criminal defense attorney has a role in each stage of that process. Consider that the process starts when the investigation begins. An investigation could include search and seizure processes, questioning and other steps where your rights could potentially be violated. Your defense attorney’s primary goals at this stage in the process are to ensure that your rights are upheld and to prevent you from unintentionally incriminating yourself.
Ideally, the matter will be dropped before federal charges are filed. If charges are filed, your federal criminal defense attorney’s efforts will shift. You will initially have a court hearing to determine bail, and your attorney will argue for reduced bail. This will be followed by discovery and possibly plea bargaining. Before you accept a plea bargain, your attorney should explain how strong your case is so that you can make a decision that is best for you. Throughout these steps, the attorney will be working closely with you and the full legal team to build a strategic, effective defense.
Before the case goes to court, your criminal defense attorney will stand beside you through pre-trial motions. If the case reaches the trial stage, your attorney’s communication skills will take center stage. This is the time when he or she will present all arguments in your favor. At the same time, the attorney will continue ensuring that the prosecutor does not overstep and that your rights are preserved. In some cases, a conviction may be inevitable. Even in these situations, your attorney’s efforts during the trial and during the sentencing phase could affect how harsh or lenient the sentence is. Your attorney will also actively advise you about your right to an appeal and your likelihood of winning an appeal. If you choose to appeal, your attorney may get started soon after the ruling has been read.
From the investigation stage and through an appeal, a federal criminal matter may progress across several years in some cases. Your attorney should be involved at each stage to ensure the best outcome available to you under the law.
What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer
While legal representation during a federal criminal case is crucial, the quality of representation that you benefit from will depend on the professional you select. The lawyer’s professional experience requires ample attention. Consider that approximately 20 law enforcement and regulatory agencies can investigate various types of federal crimes. There are many broad categories of federal crimes, such as fraud, sex crimes, drug crimes, and more. Select agencies will cover specific types of crimes, so your attorney should have working knowledge of their investigative efforts. For each broad category, there may be many actual charges that you could face. These charges can vary dramatically. For example, white-collar crime spans from embezzlement to wire fraud, bribery, corruption, and more.
As you research lawyers online, you will find that criminal defense attorneys generally specialize in one or a few broad categories. However, this does not mean that they have experience with all aspects of these categories. For example, a lawyer who specializes in sex crimes may focus primarily on pornography-related cases and may not have experience with rape charges. Generally, you may not find such refined information on a website. To get specific details about a lawyer’s expertise, you may need to make an inquiry in person during your initial consultation.
Contact Our Law Office Today
The most important step that you can take today is to schedule an initial consultation with our defense team at Spodek Law Group. Our team will actively take advantage of that opportunity to learn about your case, and we can tell you if we are the right law firm for your circumstances. Set up your consultation with us today online or by phone.