Experienced Orlando Federal Crimes Attorney
Determined representation for a variety of serious offenses
When federal authorities suspect criminal activity, they draw on the full resources of the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate and pursue a conviction. If you are facing a federal probe and hope for any chance of a positive outcome, you need legal counsel with the knowledge and experience to provide a robust defense. For more than 27 years, The Law Offices of Tad A. Yates, P.A. has defended clients charged with federal crimes, such as drug trafficking, child pornography and fraud. Mr. Yates has a proven record of success in federal criminal defense and is ready to put his skills to work for you.
What constitutes a federal crime
Most criminal prosecutions arise under state law, but federal charges can be brought where a crime involves interstate activity, occurs on federal property, is against federal employees performing their duties or violates the U.S. constitution or a federal statute or regulation. Federal law can criminalize activity that is also prohibited at the state level, which can mean facing charges and penalties in two courts. That is an even greater incentive to hire the best attorney possible for your defense.
Controlled substances are an area of law enforcement where state and federal authorities work in tandem. A federal statute, 21 U.S. Code § 812, include schedules that categorize controlled substances based on their potential risk of harm and abuse. Florida Statutes §893 adopts these same schedules. Federal authorities generally cede smaller cases of possession and sale of certain drugs to the state government while they go aggressively after larger-scale traffickers of such drugs as cocaine, methamphetamine, Oxycodone and fentanyl. Penalties for trafficking of these drugs depend on the amounts involved but can be a minimum of 10 years in prison and a $10 million fine for a first offense.
Internet child pornography charged as a federal crime
All across the nation, special task forces of the FBI are working with local law enforcement to uncover networks that produce and exchange child pornography over the Internet or by other means. Charges and penalties that an individual could face include:
- Producing child pornography — 18 U.S.C. § 2251 provides for fines and a statutory minimum of 15 years to 30 years maximum in prison for a first offense.
- Transporting child pornography in interstate commerce — 18 U.S.C. § 2252 provides for fines and a statutory minimum of five years to 20 years maximum in prison for a first offense.
If an offender has a prior conviction, the penalties are even harsher. Enhanced penalties also apply if the images are violent, sadistic, or masochistic or if a minor was sexually abused. In addition, inmates convicted of sexual crimes against children do not fare well in general prison populations.
Even the mere suspicion of child pornography can be ruinous to a person’s life. For charges like these, your attorney must not only possess legal skill, but he or she must know how to handle cases with the utmost discretion.
White collar crimes charged as federal offenses
White collar crime generally involves diverting money and other property from their rightful owners by nonviolent means: typically fraud and embezzlement. The federal courts have jurisdiction over specific types of white collar crime, such as bank fraud, insurance fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, mortgage fraud and Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Because of the level of sophistication of the alleged schemes, white collar crime prosecutions are complex and multifaceted, often involving vast amounts of evidence and specialized testimony. Mr. Yates takes painstaking care with your case to challenge the prosecution point by point. The earlier a criminal defense attorney is retained in a white collar investigation, the better the changes of resolving the case before charges are filed.
Contact a proven federal criminal law attorney in Orlando for a consultation
Federal criminal charges require skill and experience to combat. As soon as you are aware of any investigation or charges against you, call The Law Offices of Tad A. Yates, P.A. at 407-608-7777 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
