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03 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Fast is the perfect name for this firm, quick and efficient. Always ready and willing to go toe to toe with city hall to ensure the integrity of our justice system is upheld and the clients they represent are getting the defense everyone deserves. Can not thank and recommend this all-star team enough.
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24 Aug, 2024 by M. c.
05 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
I had an excellent experience with Michael Perkins. He was incredibly knowledgable and provided me with very helpful (and even comforting) advice.
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24 Aug, 2024 by M. c.
20 Jan, 2024 by Ela mitkiewicz
Robin was an absolute pleasure to work with and I have the most respect for her knowledge, professionalism and ability to navigate complexities of real estate issues. Also, she took the time to understand my unique situation and provided insightful advice which was truly invaluable. I'll always be grateful for that. Thank you Robin!
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16 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Koch Lee was really helpful in terms of giving me advice on my case and he was super personable!
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05 Sep, 2024 by Ian rung
18 Aug, 2024 by Doctor love
Best lawyer in the area hands down. I’ve Been personally represented twice by him. Both times were outstanding and was more than happy with the end result with a very reasonable price. Highly recommended
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31 Jul, 2024 by Rolando lebron
The best in Buffalo NY
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28 Sep, 2024 by Raman deep
16 Jul, 2024 by John lindquist
I'll always be grateful to Wendy, Andrew, and their staff for giving me a new lease on life. They should be proud of their work in our communities, and we are lucky to have them in our corner. I'll always remember them. Thankyou so very much for being there for me.
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15 May, 2024 by Wendy bridges
No response
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20 Apr, 2024 by Priscilla povlosky
23 Feb, 2024 by River lorenzo polanco rodriguez
16 Feb, 2024 by Efren reyes
John and his team (Mara) are a dependable duo they are on it from day 1! Very straight forward and organic. Listen to them because they have your best interest at heart. They change my life and I felt like I knew them forever!
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13 Sep, 2024 by Austin wurmb
Crazy group no good values
Willing to do what ever for money.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Jeremy henegan
29 Feb, 2024 by Brittney clarke
08 Aug, 2020 by Celi rosario
She helped me thru so many family court issues and she was very informative and always got the job done. Love her and would recommend her to a friend.
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25 Oct, 2018 by Ashley g quinones
12 Jul, 2018 by Christine falco
If I could I would not even give one star.
This attorney was recommended to me by my neighbor who has used her in the past. I had initially gone in for myself looking for a divorce attorney. A fee for retainer was set but this attorney only works with cash payments. I dont know many people who have thousands of dollars in cash lying around. I certainly do not and so I could not retain her at this point in time.
My son needed an attorney to help him handle an issue regarding his drivers license. We sat with her again and while she was initially very helpful in the consult we have not been able to communicate with her since. Her retainer was agreed on as $500 at the time of the appointment but she didnt want any money at that time. When my son called back he was told the retainer would now be $750. Since that day both myself and my son have called no less than 6 different times over a two or 3 week period to try and speak directly with this attorney. She has never returned either of our calls.
I consider this very bad business and so will not be doing business with her at all.
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18 Jun, 2024 by Phillip garofalo
18 Jun, 2024 by Keith lewin
Karen Svendson is amazing!!!! Highly Recommended!!!
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18 Jun, 2024 by Gr li
David the best!!!
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16 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
appallingly unprofessional behavior and attitude on every level that counts. seems more interested in appearing interested in cases than actually thoroughly research cases. not recommended.
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09 Apr, 2018 by Gary steele
I appreciate the prompt service, thank you so much for helping me with my case and taking the time to talk to me to explain things whenever I got lost or confused. If I ever need another lawyer I know where I am going to go. You guys rock!
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06 Apr, 2018 by Terri
Thank you so much! You guys have helped me a lot in this court case. You helped me make the right decision that was in my best interest and I cannot thank you enough. I cannot thank you enough for the guidance and help you guys have given me. I don't know where I would be without your help, thank you so much!
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15 Sep, 2024 by Samantha miller
28 Jan, 2024 by The mic
Does not have your best interest at heart and only wants your money. No matter what they say, I was certainly a client and have the paperwork to prove it; denying that I was a client clearly shows they're not trustworthy. Imagine, instead of making things right, they deny the issues. Extremely unprofessional all around, I just want to make people aware so they can find better legal assistance.
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18 Jan, 2022 by Tom and pri gamer
Mr. Martin Philippine is knowledgeable, patient and I trust him, his advice and work. He also has a human side that I appreciate very much. I recommend his law firm to anyone looking for a good, trustworthy lawyer.
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07 Nov, 2019 by Janet
It is my privilege to recommend Jennifer Coden as an excellent and trustworthy divorce attorney. I believe her work would not only meet your expectations but exceed them. Jennifer Coden and her team were caring, honest , reliable, professional and got the job done. She not only represented me in court with skill and professionalism but was there for me emotionally. She can guide you through the process. I was very impressed with Jennifer's ability to state my case. I was represented better than I could have imagined. My needs were put first and I was treated with compassion. My opinions were valued and my doubts were reassured while being informed of the law. She calmed my nerves and the process was always explained. Her team, Lorie,Nicole, and Matt, always had her back when she was in court and were available for me. They kept me informed and I thank them for that. I couldn't have asked for a better attorney. I will recommend her as she was recommended to me. Thanks so much Jennifer for all you continue to do! You will not be disappointed if you hire her.
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06 Nov, 2019 by Joe
Most, to the best of my knowledge plan on getting divorced. I did not after many years of marriage. When that ugly day arrives one searches for the best attorney they can have. I interviewed several and knew I made the right choice when I chose Jennifer Coden. She held my hand all to often and understood what my needs were. There were many hurdles as my EX went through four attorneys, each one more incompetent than the next. Jen and her associate, Nicole Silver and their staff kept them all in check. Their professionalism, expertise in the law and often the need to educate the opposing attorneys, led to closure of my marriage and allowed me to move on. I thank them always.
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20 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Jennifer a year ago after interviewing numerous attorneys to go through a very emotional divorce. As soon as I met her I knew that she was the attorney for me. She is warm, caring, friendly, patient, thoughtful and extremely knowledgeable. She made me feel better immediately. Many times I have had emotional days and I knew I could call her up and she would talk me through whatever it is that was bothering me. When we had to appear in Court I had full confidence in her as she was always prepared and got us in and out with no time wasted. I felt that she was very reasonable as she did not waste any time when dealing with the other side. I have recommended Jennifer to many people and they all felt the same and have thanked me for recommending her through the difficult time in their life.
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06 Jun, 2024 by Spockstein adventures
My Employer went with this firm during 2020 For my immigration services to file the 485 Application, They charged 3X than any other competent law firms but they delayed my application delays and costed me 4 years and nothing helped. They were supposed to send on 10/22 but sent on 10/30/2022 because they sent along with other applicants but we paid more fee. we fed hefty fee for bad advices and we regret going with this law firm.Hope this helps to others(It was only one application from our firm and paid as good as 3 you can understand the pain)
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16 Nov, 2018 by Joseph
Steve did a remarkable job of defending my interests for over 1.5 years in a complicated criminal and civil legal cases. I could not recommend anyone more highly.
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01 Nov, 2018 by Dinesh
excellent attorney good service good communication and good
result from his work I wood hire him again if I need his services
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20 Feb, 2024 by William edgar
15 Aug, 2023 by Angelina cedeno
Mr. kinlon represented me daughter A. McCall in her case and really patient. Got the job done without even receiving the full payment. He has a great payment arrangement and is very knowledgeable. I appreciate him for what he did for mine. Thank u so so much. Will recommend anyone to ur office
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21 Mar, 2023 by John cutro-kelly
Hired this firm years ago did me nothing but justice got me the best possible outcome worth every penny
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20 Feb, 2024 by William edgar
15 Aug, 2023 by Angelina cedeno
Mr. kinlon represented me daughter A. McCall in her case and really patient. Got the job done without even receiving the full payment. He has a great payment arrangement and is very knowledgeable. I appreciate him for what he did for mine. Thank u so so much. Will recommend anyone to ur office
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21 Mar, 2023 by John cutro-kelly
Hired this firm years ago did me nothing but justice got me the best possible outcome worth every penny
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10 Sep, 2024 by Cuemadeit
Called in June explained my situation was told they were going to go over it and call me back, here it is Sept 9 I’ve called and left multiple messages and nobody still hasn’t reached back out to me
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15 Aug, 2024 by Your name
Has never returned any of my calls for 10 years
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05 Aug, 2024 by Ian white
10 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
WORST LAWYER EVER , HONESTLY IM STARTING TO THINK HES NOT EVEN A REAL LAWYER AND ALL THE GOOD REVIEWS ARE FAKE B.S... I ALSO HAVE REFERRED OTHERS TO HIM BECAUSE IN THE BEGINNING HE SELLS YOU THIS DREAM ONCE HE RECEIVES FIRST PAYMENT. WHAT A SCANDALOUS MAN HE IS. HE HAS AN EXCUSE FOR EVERYTHING HE ONLY SHOWED UP IN COURT ONCE SMH WHAT A JOKE HE HAS PURPOSELY MISSED EVERY COURT DATE AFTER , NEVER ANSWERS HIS PHONE CALLS OR TEXT AND WHEN HE FINALLY DOES ITS ALWAYS SOME B.S ABOUT SOMEBODY WAS IN THE HOSPITAL OR HES ON VACATION WHEN ARE YOU EVR A LAWYER IF YOUR NEVER COMMUNICATING WITH THE CLIENT OR THE FAMILY. DOESNT EVEN VISIT HIS OWN CLIENT WHILE IN JAIL NOT EVEN VIDEO CALLS OR PHONE CALLS TO HIS CLIENT. HIS CLIENT HAS NOT ONE CLUE TO WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON IN HIS OWN CASE COMPLETLY CLUELESS. COURT DATES IS BEING ADJOURNED WITH NO BAIL BECAUSE JASON NEVER SHOWS AND ITS BEEN MONTHS!!!! THIS IS ABANDONMENT!! I BEG ANYONE THAT SEES THIS NEVER EVER HIRE HIM. YOUR MANY AND FAITH IS COMPLETELY DOWN THE DRAIN WITH THIS GUY.
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21 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
this guy who calls him self a lawyer, is only interetsted in your money, once he hs your money he does nothing but lie to you oover,and over with out any result, and convinces you to take a plea bargain which in my case has destroyed my life, with out consulting with a immigration la`wyer made me sign a plea agreement which he swore would not any effect on my immigration status which was untrue, and i got a deportation order because of it, if i was not cuban i would had been deported years ago, destroyed my life , i dont know how he can sleep at night.
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07 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Jason for a crinmal case and he did little t I nothing for the case didn't visit client did not submitted motion in a timely manner he didn't take his time to look into the case to see if he missing key point overal I'm so disappointed in the service I recieved
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20 May, 2021 by Anonymous
DON'T USE THIS LAWYER!!! This attorney has misrepresented,lied to my face,destroyed my family,took our money..
He helped "TheDon" when the case some years ago but he got paid because that's #1 right Joe? It's totally in the open now,of course that doesn't matter to you anymore,anyway no one can change your incompetency back then anyway! How do you sleep @night with all the lives you've ruined? Huh? We will NEVER,EVER,forget...
Just know tho,"God" knows!
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20 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Rodak to represent me in my divorce. He wasn't prepared at all the day of trial,told me I was bitter and made deals with other attorneys without consulting me. During the trial there were times my children's law guardian would object on behalf of her clients mother, while Rodick said nothing! Because of him and his incompetence I received nothing I should had. I was violently ill after this trial and how badly he handled it. Years later my kids and I are still dealing with the reprocussions of his incompetence. Spend your money elsewhere
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04 Mar, 2016 by Mike
I retained Joe for some trouble I had gotten into. A few bad decisions and 3 Felony Indictments later, I found myself in a world of trouble. Beginning at the arraignment Joe was was cool, calm and collective. He was aggressive enough to make his point, but not cocky where he screwed my chances. Joe was nothing short of a pit-bull fighting for me, and he certainly didn't let the DA back us into a corner.
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02 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Gary is not only an experienced attorney, but a really good one as well. I’ve relied on his sage advice relating to several issues over the years, and he has consistently led me in the right direction. Recently, Gary advised me on a very important legal matter and I couldn’t be more grateful.
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26 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
I was referred to Mr. Muldoon by a friend for my divorce. He made it all sound so easy. In the end, the final court appearance, he threw me to his associate. The final outcome was NOT what I agreed to. And I can't argue the facts because he didn't file the oral stipulation with the clerk's office! As I just learned recently. Every attorney should treat a client like they would want to be treated. I think Mr. Muldoon likes writing about law more than he likes practicing it.
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03 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr Guzman charged my brother reasonable money for his legal fees. He represented my brother on felony assault charges and he was able to avoid my brother being indicted on felony charges.He was able to eventually got my brother a violation which is a summons. I would recommend Mr Guzman to all my friends and family!!!
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15 Mar, 2023 by Tony
He is a thief and a liar. Stay away from this piece of sh… he should be disbarred!!
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29 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
After taking your money he is busy and disorganized and makes you deal with his personal assistants instead of being there in your time of need. Find someone else!
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21 Feb, 2018 by Scott camball
At first Mark Mahoney seemed great and was helpful. However after paying my first bill of a couple thousand Mark and Ivonne began ignoring my emails and not returning phone calls. If you are not a high paying client they do not care about you. I had to find another lawyer to help me. Beware!
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23 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
I’d like to share experience I had with Mark Mahoney. Due to some unfortunate consequences I had to retain his services. He is straight forward and talked sense into my bravado. He explained process with depth and understanding of circumstances. Knowledge of courts working and jury trials was exhaustive. Results were more desirable than expected given the situation. Follow up was excellent too.
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28 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Disrespectful, argumentative, overbearing and discriminates against the mentally disabled. Impossible to carry a conversation with. Referred to my son as slow. I had to tell Mavady why my son was his client. Kept asking ridiculous questions that made no sense. Argued about everything I had to say. Changed the subject countless times. Deplorable human being!!!
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07 Nov, 2021 by Robert
Mr. Mavady was terrible and defensive, his knowledge of the ICWA is deplorable, and ignored. His lack of knowledge of indigenous American culture and overt discrimination against Native culture was on full display.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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13 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
After 11 years on my immigration case and more than $12,000 on fees he never showed up for court. He stopped picking up the phone. Never gave me back my money and did NOTHING FOR ME. HE BELONGS IN JAIL
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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.
