Alabama Defense Lawyer with Federal Court Experience
U.S. federal law and federal crimes cover a lot of territory — and some offenses may be prosecuted in both state and federal court. One thing is certain: if you have been charged with a federal crime, the consequences of conviction can be severe. Another fact is nearly as absolute — you will want a skilled, dedicated attorney working in your defense.
Shane Oncale of The Oncale Firm in Birmingham is admitted to practice in federal courts throughout Alabama. If you know or believe your drug trafficking case, white collar or Internet crime case, or another matter is being handled at a federal level, please contact us today for a free, informative consultation.
Drug Crime Defense — Business and Internet Crimes — Regulatory Violations
There is no single sharp distinction that determines whether your case will be tried in federal court and, in fact, it is sometimes possible to get jurisdiction moved from a federal court to a state court.
Often, federal charges are filed because the allegations involve interstate or international activity — such as drug trafficking, transport of tobacco or firearms, or business or Internet activity that impacts more than one state. Other crimes may be prosecuted in federal court because they were uncovered by FBI, DEA or other federal agency investigations.
We are prepared to defend you in federal court on charges such as:
- Drug trafficking — in marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, prescription drugs or other substances
- Internet and white collar crimes such as mail fraud, wire fraud or identity theft
- Regulatory violations in business activity or interstate commerce, including failures to comply with financial disclosure requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Thorough Investigation and Strategy Development for High-Stakes Cases
We take a thorough, diligent approach to all criminal defense matters — but we also understand the demands unique to federal cases. Factors that raise the stakes and increase the challenge may include:
- Mandatory minimum sentencing guidelines apply to federal drug crimes and many other offenses.
- Federal prosecutors are typically highly skilled.
- Rules on discovery and evidence are generally more strict than in state courts.
Please contact us now if you are facing a serious criminal charge or have learned you are under investigation by a federal agency.
