If You or Your Loved One has Federal Charges in Springfield, Illinois, the Noll Law Office Can Help.
Federal crimes encompass any violation of federal law. The lawyers at the Noll Law Office have concentrated on federal criminal defense for years. They represent clients throughout the Federal Central District of Illinois which includes the Springfield, Peoria, and Urbana, Illinois federal courts. The lawyers at the Noll Law Office have tried many cases to jury verdicts including federal murder cases, fraud charges, and drug conspiracy cases.
The Noll Law Office provides comprehensive criminal defense representation on federal cases. They are experienced trial lawyers who have represented clients from the investigative process all the way through a trial. Their lawyers understand how the federal system works including the types of charges the U.S. Attorney’s Office will try to bring. They have access to experts such as private investigators and forensic accountants which can be necessary to provide a defense in federal court.
Charges in federal court tend to be reserved for the more serious cases in Central Illinois. Usually, that means that there are larger drug quantities, higher amounts of fraud, or more sophisticated investigations of sex cases. Regardless of the federal charges you may be facing, the federal criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office have the experience and knowledge to provide you with top-notch representation.
The Noll Law Office is located in Springfield, Illinois approximately two blocks from the federal courthouse. They offer free initial consultations. You may call (217) 414-8889 and they will be able to give you an estimate of how much your fee would be. It is helpful to bring any paperwork you may have (search warrant, complaint, indictment) or anything else to your meeting so they can go over it with you.
What Types of Federal Charges will the Noll Law Office Handle?
The lawyers at the Noll Law Office are well known in Central Illinois for defending clients on all types of federal charges including:
Bank Fraud
Federal law states that bank fraud is committed when an individual or other entity defrauds a bank or financial institution or obtains funds under the control of a bank or financial institution by false or fraudulent practices. Bank fraud is punishable by a term of up to 30 years in the Bureau of Prisons, a one million dollar fine, or both. These cases can be complex and involve substantial paperwork. The Noll Law Office has experience with both the criminal defense side of bank fraud as well as extensive knowledge of banking practices which they can use to help defend its clients.
Child Pornography
Historically, the United States Attorney’s Office in the Central District of Illinois has prosecuted and investigated more child pornography cases than anywhere else in America. Child pornography cases are prosecuted aggressively, and it takes experienced and established defense lawyers to defend you.
The lawyers at the Noll Law Office have created a well-deserved reputation throughout Central Illinois for defending federal child pornography charges. Their lawyers will examine the police reports, videos, or any other documents to determine if your computer, camera, or cellphone was improperly seized. If it was, your case may get dismissed.
Sentences for federal child pornography cases depend on the number of images, the ages of the children, and the types of images shown. As there are no maximum penalties for Federal Child Pornography charges, a person could face life in prison. The Noll Law Office is familiar with computer forensics and has worked with a number of computer experts in past cases to determine how images arrived on computers or to determine if another person was using your IP address to download child pornography.
Drug Offenses
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois prosecutes a substantial amount of drug cases. Most of the charges relate to the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin. Generally speaking, people who are charged in federal court have either a substantial criminal history or are alleged to have sold more drugs than those who are charged in state court. Individuals charged in federal court may face significant mandatory minimums. If you or your loved one are facing federal drug charges, contact the Noll Law Office today. Their criminal defense attorneys concentrate on federal criminal defense and are familiar with all aspects of the federal criminal procedure including search and seizure issues, the federal sentencing guidelines, and safety valve eligibility which may reduce the potential sentence.
Embezzlement
Embezzling, stealing, or misappropriating money or valuables that are the property of the United States is a federal crime. If convicted, a person may face up to 10 years in prison. If you are a bank director, bank officer, or bank employee of a federally insured bank or financial institution and you are accused of embezzlement, you could be facing up to 30 years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and up to a $1,000,000 fine. If you are being investigated for federal embezzlement charges or if you are already charged with embezzlement, speaking with an attorney should be the first thing you do. Embezzlement is a serious federal crime that can be punished by up to 30 years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons coupled with large fines. You need experienced and aggressive federal criminal defense lawyers like those at the Noll Law Office representing you when you are facing these complex charges.
Fraud
The federal criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office concentrate on all types of federal charges including bank fraud, mail fraud, tax fraud, and wire fraud. Bank fraud, mail fraud, tax fraud, and wire fraud are charges that fall under the umbrella term of white-collar crime. The federal criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office are experienced and knowledgeable defense attorneys in all aspects of federal charges including the federal sentencing guidelines, search and seizure issues, and pending investigations.
Mail Fraud
Mail Fraud is any kind of fraud or misrepresentation where the United States Postal Service or any other commercial mail carrier (UPS, FedEx) is used to send items related to a fraud scheme. Documents normally associated with mail fraud are checks, contracts, credit applications, and property evaluations. Mail Fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a one million dollar fine, or both. If you are being investigated for mail fraud, the lawyers at the Noll Law Office offer free and confidential initial consultations at (217) 414-8889 to discuss your rights and possible defenses to your charges.
Tax Fraud
Tax Fraud or Tax Evasion is when a person or business intentionally falsifies tax returns in order to reduce their tax liability. Basically, tax fraud is submitting a false tax return so the person or business does not pay all of the taxes they owe. Tax Evasion is generally investigated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office (federal prosecutors).
Federal law sets a maximum penalty of five years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a $100,000 fine ($500,000 for a corporation), and the possibility of additional court (and prosecution) costs. The most common examples of tax evasion include failing to report income, claiming false deductions, using the business for personal expenses, and unreported cash dealings.
Under federal law, there must be an overt act to evade paying taxes in order for the case to be considered a felony offense. Meaning, that if you simply forgot to file your tax return, it will likely be considered a misdemeanor charge. However, if there is a series of false tax returns or a pattern of unreported income, you could be facing a felony charge and prison time.
Wire Fraud
Wire Fraud is defined by federal law as obtaining money or property through any scheme or artifice to defraud by transmitting via wire, radio, or television. Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in the Bureau of Prisons, a one million dollar fine, or both.
When facing federal charges, it is important to have knowledgeable lawyers who will aggressively defend you against the United States Attorney’s Office and federal agents from the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, and the Secret Service. The federal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office have tried numerous cases to verdict in federal court and are fully equipped to represent anyone accused of wire fraud in the Central District of Illinois.
Grand Jury Investigations
A federal grand jury is comprised of up to 23 members. Grand juries meet in private and federal prosecutors can subpoena witnesses and documents in order to try and obtain an indictment or a formal charging document. Federal grand juries wield tremendous power in our federal criminal justice system. Entering a federal grand jury unprepared or responding incorrectly can have serious ramifications. You should never enter into a grand jury without the help of an experienced and established federal criminal defense lawyer.
Procedurally, your attorney cannot enter the actual grand jury room but they are allowed outside. You have an absolute right to consulate with your attorney after each question for as long as needed to protect your 5th Amendment right. The federal grand jury defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office in Springfield, Illinois have represented clients before both federal and state grand juries. Federal prosecutors use grand juries to conduct investigations into all types of federal crimes including white-collar crimes and drug crimes. It is important to remember that you are not being subpoenaed to a federal grand jury because they want to meet with you. It is the spider inviting the fly for dinner. You need aggressive and experienced defense lawyers who will protect your rights throughout grand jury proceedings.
Money Laundering
Money laundering is the act of turning illegal proceeds into legitimate income. Most of the time, federal money laundering charges in the Federal Central District of Illinois accompany other accusations such as drug distribution, wire fraud, bank fraud, and other white-collar crimes. The lawyers at the Noll Law Office have an in-depth understanding of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the investigative tactics used by the Secret Service, FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security, and the complex issues that arise in white-collar crimes. If you are being investigated for money laundering or if you have already been charged with money laundering in federal court, contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Noll Law Office today for a free consultation.
Weapons Offenses
Federal prosecutors in Central Illinois investigate and prosecute numerous criminal weapons offenses. Most federal weapons crimes involve handguns and are generally related to drug conspiracies or drug dealing.
If you think federal agents, like the DEA, FBI, or ICE, are investigating you for a federal weapons crime, contact the Noll Law Office immediately. Having an experienced and established federal criminal defense attorney can guide you through how the Federal Central District of Illinois operates and aggressively defend you from any federal weapons charges.
What is a Conspiracy in Federal Court in Illinois?
A conspiracy is an express or implied agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime. A criminal conspiracy may be proven even if its goals were not proven. Normally, in a conspiracy case, the Government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a conspiracy existed, and the defendant joined the conspiracy with the intent to advance the conspiracy.
Many cases in federal court are charged as conspiracy cases. Whether it is a drug conspiracy or a fraud conspiracy, the federal criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office understand the methods and tactics the United States Attorney’s Office use as well as the investigating law enforcement agency. Conspiracy charges can be complex and involve numerous police agencies such as the FBI, DEA, IRS, DHS, and local police departments. Whether you are alleged to be the ringleader of a gigantic methamphetamine conspiracy or you are alleged to be a relatively minor conspirator, their lawyers will aggressively defend your rights and explore all possible defenses.
I’ve Never Hired a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Before. How Do I Find a Great Criminal Defense Attorney Near Me?
It is important to ask questions. You should be comfortable with the lawyer and have confidence that they will act in your best interest. Furthermore, you should specifically ask them how many federal criminal jury trials they have done. Many lawyers talk a good game about being trial lawyers – few are. Make sure that the lawyer you hire has the skills necessary to take your case all the way through the jury trial. You do not want a lawyer who will quit on your case because they are scared to go in front of a jury.
Some important questions to ask a federal criminal defense attorney are:
- How long have you been practicing law?
- How much of your practice is devoted to criminal law?
- How many federal criminal jury trials have you taken to a verdict?
- How long ago was your last federal trial?
- How many similar cases to mine have you handled?
- Do you practice regularly in federal court?
- What types of outcomes have you had on like cases mine?
- Are you a public defender?
- If so, what is the difference between your representation of clients as a public defender vs. a private attorney?
- When was the last time you had a case like mine?
- Have you ever appeared in front of the judge assigned to my case?
- Are you familiar with the federal sentencing guidelines?
- What are they and how will they apply to my case?
- What are they like?
- What is your fee?
- How is the fee structured (hourly v. flat fee)?
- Are there any other fees I should expect?
- How often is court?
- Will I need to be there?
- Will you represent me or will it be another attorney?
- How long will my case take to resolve?
- Will you review the discovery in my case with me?
- What legal issues do you see in my case?
- What factual issues do you see in my case?
- Do they guarantee any results? (If yes, RUN AWAY)
How Can the Noll Law Office Help Me on My Federal Case?
The Noll Law Office has earned a reputation in Central Illinois for providing aggressive advocacy, compassionate counsel, and real results. They vigorously defend each client they represent in federal court and provide them with honest, well-reasoned legal opinions. Their attorneys treat their clients and families with respect no matter the charges against them.
If you retain the Noll Law Office, they will:
- Speak to you about your case;
- Review the discovery for any factual defenses which may exist in your case;
- Review the discovery for any suppression issues or other legal defenses which may exist in your case;
- Calculate your advisory sentencing guideline range using the Federal Sentencing Guideline Manual;
- Help obtain favorable mitigating evidence which may exist;
- Speak to the prosecutor about any acceptable resolutions to your case prior to trial;
- Take the case to trial if needed; and
- Always act in your best interests.
If you or your loved one needs a federal criminal defense lawyer in the Central District of Illinois, contact the Noll Law Office today at (217) 414-8889.