Federal Crimes

Fort Worth Federal Crimes Defense Lawyer

An Experienced Former FBI Agent Defending You Against Federal Charges

Federal crimes can be some of the toughest to defend against, as the federal criminal justice system penalizes crimes much harsher than the state courts do. As a result, it is in your best interests to work with a lawyer who has experience representing clients in federal court. The Shipley Law Firm, PLLC has a dedicated federal crimes practice area, and Mr. Shipley brings unique experience as a former federal agent of the FBI. He has an intimate understanding of how the federal legal system works as someone who was once on the investigative side. Some common examples of federal crimes Mr. Shipley defends clients against include:

  • Drug trafficking
  • Firearm and weapons offenses
  • White collar crimes

Work with a federal crimes defense lawyer on your case today. Don’t risk the consequences of federal charges without consulting an experienced attorney about your options.

Contact The Shipley Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation to get started. Serving Tarrant County.

When Is a Drug Crime Prosecuted in Federal Court?

While Texas implements its own code of state laws, violations of federal laws are handled in federal court. There are several scenarios in which you may be charged at the federal level for a drug offense:

  • The drug crime was committed on national land (e.g., a national park, a military reservation, or any public-domain land).
  • The crime crossed state lines (e.g., you trafficked drugs across state borders).
  • Your drug crime was investigated by a federal agency, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Federal penalties are usually severer than state-level penalties. Most federal drug crimes have mandatory minimum sentences of 5 or 10 years. If you have a prior state or federal drug conviction, though, you may face a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison.

Federal Gun Crimes

The federal government also establishes rules for firearm use and ownership, and violations of these rules constitute federal crimes. A couple of important federal gun laws include the National Firearm Act (NFA) and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

The NFA restricts the sale or possession of short-barreled shotguns, machine guns, and silencers. Prospective buyers must undergo a background check, purchase a tax stamp for the manufacture of the firearm, and register their weapon with the NFA. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act establishes that you cannot possess a gun for personal or business purposes if you:

  • were convicted of a felony or a crime punishable by more than one year in prison;
  • have been declared mentally defective by a court or are committed to a mental institution;
  • have an addiction to a controlled substance or otherwise illegally use a controlled substance;
  • were convicted of domestic violence;
  • received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces;
  • are an illegal alien living unlawfully in the United States;
  • renounced your U.S. citizenship; or
  • are subject to a court restraining order that involves your intimate partner, your partner's child, or their children.

If you have been accused of violating a federal firearm law, such as for illegal possession, you should consult an experienced lawyer about your rights and what specific laws you have been alleged to violate. Federal firearm crimes can be nuanced, so it is in your best interests to work with a lawyer who knows how to protect your rights as a defendant and a gun owner.

White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes are financial crimes that are often prosecuted at the federal level. As mentioned above, crimes will be handled in federal court if they involve a federal agency (e.g., the IRS), if they crossed state lines (e.g., mail fraud), or if they involved the banking system. Some common examples of federal white collar crimes include:

  • Tax evasion – willfully attempting to evade your federal tax obligations, such as intentionally not filing your tax return or intentionally making false statements on your tax return
  • Wire fraud – a scheme to defraud someone of money or property through the use of interstate wire communications, such as phishing schemes, identity theft, telemarketing fraud, and spam-related financial crimes
  • Corporate fraud – accounting schemes and “self-dealing” by corporate executives, such as insider trading, falsifying financial information, and misrepresenting your financial condition to avoid regulatory oversight
  • Money laundering – the process of making “dirty” money that was obtained through unlawful means (e.g., through drug trafficking) look legal by hiding these funds in real estate investments or other reinvestment methods

White collar crimes are investigated by a slew of federal agencies, including the FBI, the IRS, the SEC, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Federal criminal accusations must be handled by an experienced professional. Mr. Shipley is a former FBI agent who brings over 20 years of experience in the criminal justice system as a defense lawyer and as a federal investigator. Who better to work on your federal defense than a former FBI agent who has conducted investigations himself?

Let our team provide a sharp, investigative eye to your case. We can skillfully prepare for what the federal government may try to bring against you. Schedule a free consultation today or call (817) 783-4899. An attorney will return your call within 24 hours.