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15 Dec, 2018 by Kevin
I hired this attorney to represent my son in a criminal case in which he was innocent in Pennsylvania. I was charged $37,000 by this attorney and the way he spoke to us, I've got to tell you he could sell boots to a fish. He neglected to subpoena the proper Witnesses, even after we had asked him to please bring my son's analyst and psychiatrist into the court. He assured me that my son was innocent and this was easy and he could handle it. When we got to court, attorney Raleigh by professional omission, failed to rebut or argue false accusations and even lies that were in written form on the psychiatrist's report, which would have exonerated my son and attorney Raleigh froze solid. Attorney Raleigh cost my son his life. He neglected to petition the proper Witnesses, stood silent during false accusations. My son realizing what was happening, spoke out in court on his own to the judge while attorney Raleigh tried to silence him. Thank God the judge listened to what my son had to say and reduced his unnecessary sentence considerably. After the hearing attorney Raleigh spoke to me privately on the way to his automobile and told me he was sorry and he would not object if we wanted to claim ineffective counsel. I am just a working guy, it took everything we had to hire this attorney so to start another hearing was financially impossible and my son continues to suffer. Although thanks to my son's own intuition he is a free man to a degree. I approached attorney Raleigh and he denied ever having that conversation with me before telling me that the company he is now with, after relocating his practice to Washington DC, would object to him assisting my son in what he himself, attorney Raleigh caused. I was once a believer of Truth and honor. Don't get caught in what we did.
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23 May, 2023 by Josh
Suppose to provide legal counsel and talk about your case and what u should do but yet didn’t all she asks was if wanted to take the deal or not didn’t investigate the matter Wasn’t interested in my evidence
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16 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Slow to return calls, at very last minute before trail told me that I would have to pay her an additional $3000.00
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30 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
He represented me in a Federal case some years ago. When we first contacted him, he gave the assurance he knew the Attorney for the Northern district of Georgia and he would work out a suitable plea deal, Well that never happened, especially after he was paid his fee. He could not even put up a reasonable case for a bail in a case of fraud for an amount less than $120k.
while locked up, he never moved a finger to appeal the refusal of bail, he would not also take calls and didn't have an assistant to take messages regarding critical information.
During the address stage his presentation was poor, lacked any persuasive strength, weak and he was almost pathetically inarticulate. I ended pleading my own case for a reduction in sentencing.
Will never recommend this Attorney for any serious case.
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17 Jul, 2023 by Mary
This lawyer never spoke to my son her client, never spoke to the family or answered any of my calls or texts. She is a waste of Connecticut tax payers money she should have for license taken from her. Unprofessional, a liar and doesn't care anything about her clients.
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20 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
He picks and chooses who he wants to work with disregarding the fact that he is your court appointed lawyer. You’re better off representing yourself than having this guy represent you.
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07 Dec, 2021 by Tom
He likes to rip families apart and lies to courts to help rip families apart. I prefer a lawyer who does everything right and not be scandalous.
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02 Nov, 2015 by Seth
I wish I could give this person a negative rating. Instead of wanting to represent my case with TRUTH and HONESTY, Mr. Leggett, simply took my family's $1000.00 retainer, walked into the courthouse, claimed I was guilty and went straight to plea bargaining. If this is the practice he's displayed for the last 32 years, Im actually amazed he's still in business. He LITERALLY did what a public defender would have done; pandered into the UNjustice system for money. If he wasn't willing to represent me in the light of truth, why did he keep the money? Why didn't he say, I do not believe youre innocent, and pass me onto a more competent attorney? That would have been way more constructive in my life as a family man, than just sticking me on three years probation. I feel violated ,both as a patriotic TEXAN, and as a productive member of my community. I have stood before the court in the past and represented myself better than this guy. And my family wasn't out a RIDICULOUS amount of money. For shame, sir. For shame.
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04 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
I called and left 3 messages at the office when I needed an attorney and he never called back despite his office manager said he would call. I think he has a lot of " qualilfications" but only on paper. When a person needs a lawyer , they want at least a call back even if you wont accept the case. His treatment of potential clients was so unprofesional .
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29 Jul, 2021 by Yvette
We are being represented by him without him knowing at late notice. He is a public defender. Upon finally getting an appointment with him after 3 1/2 to four months, we sit down with him for him to tell us how to take a plea for a felony on a self-defense charge. Before we got here it was self-defense when we get here now he wants him to take a plea because it's a licensed black man with a gun. Then before we even try to finish reading the paper he gave us, he looks over at me and sits up across the desk like he was going to jump on me telling me how he did not like that I had to call a supervisor at the PD Office to get him to make an appointment with us because we've had two court dates that we did not know about because he is not returning communication. I called the public defenders office to gain communication from him because he said he would call by end of day but again no call. Then the whole meeting was me being eyeballed because he was ready to tell me how he did not like the fact I called the public defenders office. Yet we did not get into his case until 35 minutes into the sit down. How do you spend all that time going over what you did not do Like telling us court dates, calling us back, emailing us back, or even meeting with us for the first time.when you are representing someone that is too childish. Especially when you sit up to a woman like you going to jump on her and rolling your neck and eyes. I do not recommend for representation. This first meet since he became our attorney in March or April. Or whenever it was, it's been so long ago but we just now meeting and it was bad!
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19 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Do not use this person. He only cares about himself and money. He doesn't do any work other than review the charging documents and "wings" it in court. After he has your money he doesn't respond to calls or emails. He seems to have quite the ego, still don't understand why. Court officials obviously have little regard for him.
I experienced all of this first hand after it was too late.
There are plenty of similar comments on line. Wish I would have researched him beforehand.
In my opinion he shouldn't be allowed to practice law.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
Fell in love with her resume and her past FBI experience. No where after I paid her did she resemble the lawyer I hired. All she wanted was a plea and didn’t even try. I hope you never have to use this woman.
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02 Feb, 2024 by Jay
Not happy as of now but hopefully that changes..if it does, the review will change . Hopefully this goes better then it is soo far
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24 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I consulted with Mr. Ryan 3-5 times in person and over the phone before hiring him as counsel in a civil proceeding brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Ultimately Mr. Ryan sought a settlement with the SEC. My main issue was that Mr. Ryan recommended I accept a settlement document that contained private and personal information that amplified the humiliation and reputational damage caused by the case itself. Such information included where I attended college, my relationship history, and with whom I lived and how long I had been living with them. In my view this information was immaterial to the facts of the case, and, because I could find literally no other settlement document for similar cases that included this level of information, I found this view to be supported by the facts. When I approached Mr. Ryan with this position, he claimed he could do nothing and generally appeared unsympathetic to my claims. While producing a settlement document I viewed to be inconsistent with those of many other cases was my main issue with Mr. Ryan, I will add he often criticized my personal behavior, often at times of high but I would think understandable frustration with how the case was going. This was disappointing, and made it difficult to improve the attorney-client relationship. For example, when my case was leaked to the press (specifically, to Christian Berthelsen, a Bloomberg reporter who has since quoted Mr. Ryan in other, non-related articles), Mr. Ryan again was unsympathetic and suggested my time would be "better spent worrying about what got [me] here in the first place. Please do not contact me again." Overall, I would not recommend Mr. Ryan.
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The copy above represents my original review of Mr. Ryan. Some 9 months after it was originally published, Mr. Ryan repeatedly and without solicitation contacted certain members of my family who helped finance my engagement with Serpe Ryan LLP. Mr. Ryan told my family members he "did not like" the review and indicated he would appreciate them encouraging me to remove the review. After Mr. Ryan received notice that I would not remove the review, he, rather than accept my decision, escalated the conversation with my family to a threatening level, remarking that "I won't take this lying down." This disturbing behavior doubly reaffirms that I would not recommend Mr. Ryan or Serpe Ryan LLP to potential clients.
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30 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
We hired Edward from a referral from someone else. Based on our experience with Edward they will no longer be recommending him to anyone going forward. We can honestly say there was nothing he did that was helpful, in fact just the opposite. His demeanor and way in which he talks to people is condescending and he is quite arrogant. If you find yourself in an unfortunate situation of needing an attorney we hope to save you the headache of hiring him. Please don’t stop your search here. We hope you find someone who won’t just take your money and could care less.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Holly
Andrew Strecker deserving of a 0 star review if one existed as an option. The reason why attorneys get bad names. Condescending, lying and even attempting or suggestions of sleeping with for a discount.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Toni
Jim was hired to complete a writ for me. He would not answer phone calls, lied repeatedly about visiting me in prison, lied about completing the writ. I am out on parole and no writ, and no answer to any calls.
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03 Sep, 2024 by Malencia
This man has been appointed for my CHILD! He has not returned ANY CALLS in 3+ months! DO NOT HIRE HIM!!! THE WORSE ATTORNEY IN TOWN, his license should be revoked!
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21 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Could not keep facts straight. Failed to meet when he said he would. Failed to provide discovery. Generally did not defend me in any way.
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18 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Was suppose to defend my sister he would tell he 5yrs then 10yrs then 15 he didnt do anything to defend he he worked with prosecuter to take all of her property they plea they agreed went out the window. It was like he was part of the prosecution. Absolutely useless
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18 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Doug Otto was my client in NY. We delivered a great result and he never raised a complaint. But, he stiffed us on our legal bill and wouldn't return my e-mails asking about it. Sounds like sour grapes, I know. But, ask yourself whether he'll do what he says with you when he certainly didn't with me.
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21 May, 2012 by Anonymous
I was this attorney's client for more than a year. Mr. Shaw failed to return phone calls and emails. He failed to meet court deadlines for document submittals. Since cancelling his services, he has been suspended twice.
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05 Aug, 2016 by Jake
Alan helped me with my bank fraud case. It lists it as one of his specialties on his website, but there is something EVERYONE should know, regardless of the area he practices in...
Alan Yamamoto is a SETTLEMENT LAWYER, meaning that he will not fight for your behalf, but indeed go the path with the least amount of resistance in order for your case to be settled. If you are trying to fight and battle your way out of your case, Alan is not for you.
On too many occasions throughout our entire case, he recommended so many options indicating it would reduce sentence time and it did the complete opposite. For example, he told us to disclose all of the files to the attorney and it backfired on us, only increasing the sentence time. On another example, he told us to accept the terminology by being the 'organizer' of a case in order to reduce sentence time, and now a new law passed and because we indicated we were the 'organizer' the sentence time cannot be reduced. These are just two small examples of other things that he has stated, but the opposite happened. We were too far into the case to switch lawyers so unfortunately we were stuck with Mr. Yamamoto.
I WOULD NOT recommend Yamamoto, unless all you want is a settlement lawyer. One last thing to mention is that even at the trial, he WAS NOT PREPARED. His thoughts and phrases were all jumbled and they were not organized at all. This was SUPER FRUSTRATING since we paid tens of thousands of dollars to him and his company and he finishes his poor service with this. Honestly, I felt I could have represented the family member better than he did. I was absolutely appalled. Go find yourself another lawyer.
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01 Sep, 2017 by Sheree' revels
She was not worth the money paid. Was pretty good in the beginning with communication but became rude towards the end and then refused to converse with the family or even return calls or texts. She became very unprofessional and I would not recommend her to anyone.
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02 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
He told me ten to twelve things that were completely wrong which ultimately let to my indictment. I lied and embarrassed both himself and I in court before I fired him. Waste of 15 grand
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07 Nov, 2008 by Anonymous
This the sorriest attorney I have ever met. He don't do what he say he is going to do. He took my son down thru there. And hung him out to dry. And now will not reply back to any of my email, will not return calls, and will not give any help with a issue that my son is going through
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14 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Extremely rude, disrespectful, moody, and lazy attorney. Mr. Lupiani does the minimal amount of work needed for your case. Never got any of the information about my case from my previous attorney. Mr. Lupiani always wants you to go to him to sign documents and it always need to be signed asap. There is a thing called send it in the mail. He does not take notes when discussing details about the case. This became a problem because he would do things that I never said for him to do or proceed. And due to lack of his notes and communication, he would always say you told me to do that, when in fact the notes I took from the same conversation said the exact opposite. As paying client you should be represented with respect, honesty, loyalty, and to the highest ethical standards. He is more into his looks than doing his job for his clients.
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31 Dec, 2013 by Pete
this lawyer has not contacted my husband whos been sitting in jail 4 months now Dwight has always been really rude towards me when im trying to find out information honestly I think he is a poor lawyer I would rather represent my self rather than have him on my case my husband could honestly be out with me if his lawyer would do his job
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19 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Mrs Masi ,Mr DiRaimondo and Mrs Stacy Huber Hansen defrauded me !!! They promised me green card and instead of that I am deport!!! Stay far away from DiRaimondo and Masi !!! They are LIARS!!!
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04 Nov, 2015 by Julian
I hired Alan Ellis to assist on a prisoner transfer treaty case for a client in federal prison. He is a well known name on the federal criminal side of things, and I have heard many good things. His credentials speak for themselves, and he is the author of the Federal Sentencing Guidebook, the only such book like it. I hired him at $625 an hour, which is the highest rate I have ever heard from an attorney personally.
After filling out the initial retainer paperwork and paying Mr Ellis his fees, he contacted my former attorney to gather more information on the case. 2 months went by, and I received no update or contact from Mr Ellis. I contacted him and asked for an update. He did not remember the case. I informed him that I no longer require his services, at which point he hung up the phone. I contacted his secretary to arrange for refund of a small part of my retainer.
Overall a negative and disappointing experience. I do not recommend Mr Ellis.
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01 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
Discussed issue , supplied documents and paid $3500 which he stated it would cost to resolve my real estate issue. Over a period of six to seven months I texted, emailed and made phone calls. Finally, I made an office visit and was told , “$3500 was used up and it cost $5000 more”.
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31 Mar, 2017 by Bonifacio pascual ramos
Mr. Kaiser was appointed by the court to represent me in a criminal case in in the County of Bronx. He took the case to trial without conducting any pretrial investigation. No Brady discovery, no Rosario material. He sold me out to the prosecutor. All the questions I have been placing in this fantastic website, is cause Mr. Kaiser does not want to answer them. Mr. Kaiser must retiring from practicing law. He is not an honest lawyer and never show his face.
IF YOU ARE THINKING ON HIRING THIS LAWYER, PLEASE, DONT DO IT!!! THE CASE: THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK V. BONIFACIO RAMOS INDICTMENT 5800/800 a model sample of prosecutorial criminal misconduct, and defense counsel conspirative misconduct. I need to knoy who really RAPIDFACTS INVESTIGATION AGENCY ARE? AND WHAT TYPE OF INVESTIGATION THEY DID? AND WHAT KIND OF INVESTIGATION YOU DID? THE ONLY REASON I M DOING THIS, IS CAUSE THIS MAN IS NO TALKING TO ME AND I DONT NEED HIM, BUT I NEED INFORMATION THAT ONLY HE HAS.
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Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Federal Crime Lawyer Can Do for You
A federal crime lawyer specializes in defending individuals or organizations accused of violating federal laws. These lawyers have experience navigating the complex federal criminal justice system, which includes higher penalties, stricter sentencing guidelines, and a different court system than state-level crimes. Federal crime lawyers defend clients against a wide range of charges, such as drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, fraud, conspiracy, gun violations, and more. They assist in every phase of the legal process, from investigation to trial and appeals, ensuring their clients' rights are protected.
If you’re facing federal criminal charges, a federal crime lawyer can provide the necessary defense and expertise to navigate the complexities of federal law and achieve the best possible outcome.
When Should I Hire a Federal Crime Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a federal crime lawyer in any situation where you are under investigation or have been charged with a federal crime. Key scenarios include:
- Charged with a federal crime: If you’ve been charged with a federal offense, such as drug trafficking, wire fraud, money laundering, or conspiracy, hiring a federal crime lawyer is essential to ensure your defense is tailored to federal court procedures and laws.
- Target of a federal investigation: If you are being investigated by federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, or IRS, it’s crucial to retain a lawyer early on. A lawyer can help you avoid self-incrimination and build a defense strategy to counter the investigation.
- White-collar crimes: If you’ve been accused of federal white-collar crimes such as securities fraud, embezzlement, or insider trading, a lawyer can help defend you against charges brought by federal prosecutors and regulatory agencies like the SEC.
- Drug-related charges: If you’re facing federal drug charges, such as possession, distribution, or trafficking of controlled substances, a lawyer can represent you in federal court and negotiate plea deals or challenge the prosecution’s case.
- Gun-related offenses: If you’ve been charged with federal gun crimes, including illegal possession, trafficking, or using a firearm during a violent crime, a federal crime lawyer can help defend against harsh federal penalties.
- Immigration-related crimes: Federal charges involving immigration violations, such as human trafficking, smuggling, or illegal re-entry after deportation, require specialized legal knowledge of both federal criminal law and immigration law.
- Appeals: If you’ve been convicted of a federal crime and are seeking to appeal the conviction or sentence, a federal crime lawyer can assist with the appeals process, focusing on legal errors or issues that may have occurred during the trial.
Hiring a lawyer as soon as you know you are under investigation or charged with a federal crime gives you the best chance of protecting your rights and building a strong defense.
What Does a Federal Crime Lawyer Do?
A federal crime lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to defend individuals and organizations accused of federal crimes. Their responsibilities often include:
- Defending clients in federal court: Federal crime lawyers represent clients in all stages of federal criminal proceedings, including pre-trial motions, plea negotiations, trials, and sentencing hearings.
- Building a defense strategy: Lawyers thoroughly investigate the charges, review the prosecution’s evidence, and develop a defense strategy tailored to the unique aspects of federal law and sentencing guidelines.
- Negotiating plea deals: In some cases, a lawyer may negotiate with federal prosecutors to reduce charges or penalties, potentially avoiding a lengthy trial and reducing sentencing.
- Handling federal investigations: If you are the subject of a federal investigation, a lawyer will guide you on how to interact with federal agents, respond to subpoenas, and handle potential interrogations, ensuring your rights are not violated.
- Filing pre-trial motions: Federal crime lawyers can file motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or challenge the legality of the investigation or arrest, aiming to weaken the prosecution’s case before trial.
- Representing clients in appeals: If you’ve been convicted, a federal crime lawyer can represent you in the appeals process, focusing on legal errors, misconduct, or constitutional issues that may have affected the trial’s outcome.
- Managing sentencing and post-conviction matters: Lawyers also help clients during the sentencing phase, arguing for leniency or alternatives to imprisonment, and assist with post-conviction matters such as parole or supervised release violations.
How Are Federal Crime Lawyers Paid?
Federal crime lawyers typically charge for their services in various ways, depending on the complexity of the case and the expected time commitment. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many federal crime lawyers charge by the hour, with rates typically ranging from $300 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience, the case complexity, and geographic location.
- Flat fee: For specific services, such as negotiating a plea deal or representing you during the initial stages of a federal investigation, some lawyers offer a flat fee. Flat fees for federal criminal defense cases often range from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the scope of the work.
- Retainer: In complex federal cases, a lawyer may require a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers a portion of the legal work. The lawyer then bills against this retainer as they work on the case. Retainers typically range from $10,000 to $100,000 or more, depending on the case.
- Payment plans: Some federal crime lawyers may offer payment plans, especially if the case involves extended litigation or lengthy appeals. This can help make legal fees more manageable over time.
It’s crucial to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront to understand the total cost of representation and how payments will be handled throughout the case.
How Much Does a Federal Crime Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a federal crime lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the time required to resolve the case. General cost estimates include:
- Hourly rates: Federal crime lawyers generally charge between $300 and $1,000 per hour. For example, if a lawyer charges $500 per hour and spends 50 hours on your case, the total cost would be $25,000.
- Flat fees: For simpler cases, such as negotiating a plea deal, flat fees can range from $5,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on the seriousness of the charges and the lawyer’s experience.
- Retainers: In more complex or ongoing cases, a lawyer may require a retainer of $10,000 to $100,000, depending on the case’s scope and complexity.
- Appeals: If you’re appealing a federal conviction, legal fees for an appeal can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the issues being raised and the length of the appellate process.
In addition to legal fees, you may also need to cover additional costs such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, and investigation expenses.
Top Questions to Ask a Federal Crime Lawyer
Before hiring a federal crime lawyer, it’s essential to ask key questions to ensure they have the necessary experience and qualifications to handle your case. Key questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with federal cases?
Ensure the lawyer has extensive experience handling federal criminal cases, particularly those similar to yours, such as drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, or gun violations. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or requires a retainer. Ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost of your defense. -
What are the possible outcomes of my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case and the potential outcomes, including plea deals, dismissals, or trial strategies. -
What is your approach to defending federal cases?
Ask how the lawyer plans to approach your defense, including potential pre-trial motions, negotiations with federal prosecutors, or trial strategies. -
Will my case go to trial?
Ask whether the lawyer thinks your case will settle out of court through a plea deal or whether it’s expected to go to trial, and how the lawyer will prepare for either scenario. -
How long will my case take?
Federal cases can take time to resolve, so ask the lawyer for an estimated timeline, from investigation to trial or settlement. -
What are the possible penalties if convicted?
Ask about the potential penalties you could face if convicted, including prison time, fines, or other consequences, and how the lawyer plans to mitigate those penalties.
How to Check the Credibility of a Federal Crime Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable federal crime lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice law and has no disciplinary actions or complaints.
- Look for federal crime experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in federal criminal defense and have successfully handled cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about their experience with the lawyer.
- Ask for references: A reputable lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on federal cases.
- Check for federal court admissions: Make sure the lawyer is admitted to practice in federal court, as federal criminal cases are handled in federal district courts.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with a federal crime lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Information about the charges or investigation: Provide any documents related to the charges against you, such as indictments, subpoenas, or notices of investigation. This helps the lawyer assess the severity of the charges and the potential defense strategy.
- Details of previous interactions with federal agents: If federal agents have contacted you or conducted searches, provide a detailed account of those interactions, including search warrants, interrogations, or evidence seized.
- Questions about your case: Prepare a list of questions regarding the legal process, potential outcomes, and how the lawyer plans to defend you.
- Relevant financial information: If your case involves financial crimes or assets that may be at risk, bring relevant financial records, such as bank statements, business records, or tax returns.
- Previous legal history: If you have a prior criminal record or have been involved in federal investigations before, bring details about those cases.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and provide the best possible legal defense for your federal case.
