Federal Criminal Defense
Experienced Texas attorney protects your rights against zealous prosecution
If you are charged with a federal crime, you may be up against the FBI, DEA, ATF, or Secret Service in addition to the U.S. Department of Justice. Federal investigators and prosecutors are highly professional and extremely well trained, with substantial resources at their disposal and the determination to make charges stick. Because the consequences of a conviction are so severe, it’s important to retain an experienced federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Tylden Shaeffer, Attorney at Law, P.C. is a board-certified criminal law specialist in San Antonio with 30 years of legal experience that includes time spent as a prosecutor. When you face a federal charge, you must have complete confidence in your representation. Take advantage of a free consultation to learn how I can help.
Why is an offense charged as a federal crime?
There are several reasons an offense in Texas might be charged as a federal crime:
The crime violates a federal statute or the regulations of a federal agency.
The crime occurred on federal property.
The crime was directed toward a federal officer in commission of his or her duties.
The crime occurred across state lines.
Any of these circumstances allows federal authorities to claim jurisdiction and prosecute the defendant in federal court.
When a crime is tried in federal court, there are different rules of procedure, different substantive laws, and different court personnel. Your criminal defense attorney must be familiar with all of these crucial elements, so there is no substitute for experience in the federal courts of Central Texas.
Common federal charges in the San Antonio area
Common examples of federal crimes that I regularly defend in my San Antonio practice include:
Mail and wire fraud — The U.S. mail is a federal agency. Telephones and the internet are instrumentalities that cross state lines. For these reasons, fraud accomplished in any of these manners is a federal offense.
Bank fraud — In 1934, it became a federal crime to rob any national bank or state member bank of the Federal Reserve System. Fraud is theft by deception, so fraud against a bank is a federal offense.
Federal property crimes — Vandalism against a federal building or a National Park or theft from a federal agency is a federal crime.
Counterfeiting — This offense is fraud against the United States. The Secret Service is the agency charged with investigating counterfeit currency.
Money laundering — This illicit process is an attempt to evade federal income tax. It is also an element of an ongoing criminal enterprise in violation of the RICO statute.
Possession and/or distribution of child pornography — Federal laws against the exploitation of children make child porn illegal. Using the internet to distribute images is also a federal crime.
Drug crimes — Federal drug statues give the Drug Enforcement Agency the power to investigate offenses such as drug trafficking and manufacture.
White collar crimes — Certain nonviolent economic crimes can draw federal charges if they fit the requirements. For example, insider trading is securities fraud, which violates the Securities Exchange Act.
If you are currently facing federal charges or under investigation by a federal agency, contact me immediately to schedule a free consultation. I’ll let you know what you are up against and provide you with options for your defense.
Contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney for federal charges in San Antonio
A federal criminal investigation can place you in severe jeopardy. Your best chance at a favorable outcome comes from a proven federal crimes defense lawyer. To schedule a free consultation with Tylden Shaeffer, Attorney at Law, P.C., call (210) 227-1500 or contact my San Antonio office online today.