Federal Crimes

If you are charged with a federal crime, or are being investigated by a federal law enforcement agency like the DEA, FBI, ATF, or ICE, you should hire an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer.  Federal law is unique in many ways, particularly with regard to procedure and sentencing. When you are looking for a criminal defense attorney to defend you against federal charges in Tucson or anywhere else in Arizona, it is important to find one that has experience in federal criminal procedure and federal criminal trials.  Not every Tucson criminal defense lawyer is an experienced Tucson federal criminal defense attorney.

As a former Assistant United States Attorney, Nathan Leonardo has handled numerous federal cases as both a federal prosecutor and a Tucson federal criminal defense attorney.  He has an intimate knowledge of federal law and federal criminal procedure that many defense lawyers lack.  This includes familiarity with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, a book that federal judge’s always consult in determining what sentence to impose.  He is also familiar with the prosecutors and judges working in the Federal District Courts in both Tucson and Phoenix.

There are some types of offenses, like drug trafficking, weapons charges, sex crimes, assaults, child pornography, and even DUIs, that can be charged by either state or federal authorities.  The key for federal jurisdiction is often whether the crime has affected interstate commerce or has occurred on federal land (like a national park or an Indian reservation).  Other cases, like harboring or smuggling illegal immigrants, bankruptcy fraud, mail fraud/theft, tax evasion, RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) violations, and copyright infringement, are almost always charged by federal authorities.  Here’s a list of common federal charges:

• Drug Trafficking
• Conspiracy
• Harboring or Smuggling Illegal Immigrants (Alien Smuggling)
• Illegal Reentry
• Child Pornography
• Assault on a Federal Officer
• Firearms Offenses

The federal government is a powerful adversary with virtually unlimited resources.  It is essential to have an experienced federal criminal lawyer defending you in federal court.  Having worked as a federal criminal attorney for over ten years, Nathan D. Leonardo has successfully represented many clients in federal court, sometimes even before they are charged.  Call for a free, confidential assessment of your federal case at 520.314.4125 or contact us online.