Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

When federal agents knock on your door in Manhattan, or you receive a target letter from the Southern District of New York, the gravity of federal criminal charges becomes immediately clear. At Konta Georges & Buza P.C., located in the heart of New York City, we provide vigorous defense representation for individuals and corporations facing federal criminal investigations and prosecutions.

Our firm’s federal criminal defense lawyers handle cases across all five boroughs, from the Eastern District courthouse in Brooklyn to the Southern District courthouse in Lower Manhattan. Our federal criminal defense lawyer team understands that a federal criminal investigation can be overwhelming, whether you’re a Wall Street professional facing securities fraud allegations or a small business owner dealing with tax-related charges.

How a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Protect Your Rights

At Konta Georges & Buza P.C., our federal criminal defense attorneys focus on achieving concrete results for clients facing federal charges in New York. We implement proven strategies to reduce or eliminate penalties while protecting your constitutional rights throughout federal criminal proceedings.

• Charge Reduction: Our federal criminal defense lawyer team negotiates with prosecutors at the U.S. Attorney’s Office to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors or obtain dismissals of less substantiated counts, potentially reducing prison exposure by years.
• Sentencing Mitigation: Our federal criminal defense lawyer develops comprehensive sentencing presentations that have helped clients in the Southern and Eastern Districts receive significantly lower sentences than federal guidelines recommend.
• Alternative Resolution Programs: Our federal criminal defense lawyers secure admissions to pretrial diversion programs in New York federal courts, potentially resulting in dismissed charges upon successful completion.
• Probation Instead of Prison: Our federal criminal defense lawyer will advocate for probationary sentences when possible, helping clients avoid incarceration at facilities like the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
• Asset Protection: Our federal criminal defense lawyer team prevents or reduces asset forfeitures by federal authorities, preserving our clients’ New York properties, business interests, and financial accounts.
• Evidence Suppression: We file successful motions to suppress evidence in Manhattan and Brooklyn federal courts, often leading to dismissed charges or significantly weakened prosecution cases.
• Cooperation Benefits: Our federal criminal defense attorneys negotiate cooperation agreements that have resulted in substantially reduced sentences for clients providing assistance to federal investigations.
• Guidelines Calculations: We challenge government sentencing calculations in federal court, often reducing offense levels and criminal history scores to achieve lower sentencing ranges.
• Professional License Preservation: Our team develops strategies to help clients maintain their professional licenses despite federal charges, particularly crucial for those working in Manhattan’s financial sector.
• Immigration Consequence Reduction: We structure plea agreements to minimize immigration consequences for non-citizen clients facing proceedings at New York’s immigration court.
• Parallel Proceeding Protection: Our federal criminal defense lawyers coordinate defense strategies to minimize exposure in parallel civil proceedings, particularly in securities cases involving Wall Street firms.
• Restitution Reduction: Our federal criminal defense lawyer will successfully challenge government loss calculations in federal fraud cases, reducing restitution obligations ordered by New York federal courts.
• Pre-Indictment Resolution: Our early intervention strategies have prevented formal indictments for targets of federal investigations across the five boroughs.
• Constitutional Violation Remedies: We identify and leverage constitutional violations by federal agents to obtain evidence suppression or case dismissals in New York federal courts.

If you’re facing federal criminal charges in New York, contact Konta Georges & Buza P.C. immediately. Our federal criminal defense attorneys have a proven record of reducing and eliminating penalties in federal cases. Remember, early representation by a federal criminal defense lawyer significantly increases opportunities for favorable outcomes and reduced penalties.

Federal Criminal Charges We Defend Against

Our federal criminal defense lawyers represent clients throughout New York City against a wide range of federal criminal charges. From our office near the Southern District courthouse, we handle complex federal cases across all five boroughs. Here are the primary federal criminal charges we defend against:

• Securities Fraud and Investment Crimes: Our federal criminal defense attorneys handle cases involving insider trading, market manipulation, and Ponzi schemes, particularly for clients in Manhattan’s Financial District and Wall Street area.
• Federal Drug Trafficking: We defend against charges involving large-scale distribution networks, interstate trafficking, and importation cases, often originating from investigations at JFK and LaGuardia airports.
• Healthcare Fraud: Our team represents medical professionals and healthcare organizations throughout NYC facing Medicare/Medicaid fraud allegations, false billing claims, and kickback investigations.
• White Collar Criminal Charges: We handle complex financial crimes investigations, including embezzlement, wire fraud, and mail fraud cases prosecuted in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
• Tax Crimes: Our federal criminal defense lawyers defend individuals and businesses against IRS criminal investigations, tax evasion charges, and failure to report foreign accounts.
• Bank and Mortgage Fraud: We represent clients facing charges related to fraudulent loan applications, false statements to financial institutions, and mortgage fraud schemes.
• Cybercrime and Internet Offenses: Our team handles cases involving computer fraud, identity theft, cryptocurrency crimes, and dark web investigations.
• RICO Violations: We defend against complex racketeering charges, often involving multiple defendants and extensive federal investigations across the NYC metropolitan area.
• Public Corruption: Our federal criminal defense attorneys represent public officials and private individuals involved in bribery, extortion, and honest services fraud investigations.
• Money Laundering: We handle cases involving allegations of financial transaction structuring, international money movement, and BSA violations.
• Federal Weapons Charges: Our team defends against firearms trafficking, illegal possession, and weapons importation cases, particularly those investigated by the ATF’s New York Field Division.
• Environmental Crimes: We represent businesses and individuals facing EPA investigations and federal environmental law violations throughout the tri-state area.
• Immigration Crimes: Our federal criminal defense lawyers handle cases involving visa fraud, illegal reentry, and immigration document falsification.
• Federal Conspiracy Charges: We defend against multi-defendant conspiracy cases across various criminal statutes, from drug trafficking to financial crimes.

If you’re under investigation or have been charged with any federal crime in New York, contact Konta Georges & Buza P.C. immediately. Our federal criminal defense attorneys understand the unique challenges of federal prosecutions and will work to protect your rights throughout the legal process. Time is critical in federal cases – early intervention often provides the best opportunity for a favorable resolution.

Why Early Intervention in Federal Investigations is Crucial

At Konta Georges & Buza P.C., our federal criminal defense lawyers understand that the earliest stages of a federal investigation often determine its ultimate outcome. We’ve seen how early intervention by a federal criminal defense attorney can dramatically impact case results. Here’s why immediate action is essential:

• Evidence Preservation: Our federal criminal defense team can immediately implement litigation holds and secure crucial evidence before it’s altered or destroyed, whether it’s security footage from Times Square businesses or financial records from Wall Street firms.
• Witness Protection: Early involvement allows us to identify and properly advise potential witnesses before federal agents from the FBI’s New York field office or other agencies can interview them without counsel present.
• Strategic Planning: Our federal criminal defense lawyers can develop comprehensive defense strategies before the government’s case crystallizes, potentially influencing the direction of the investigation at the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
• Document Control: We can manage the organization and production of documents requested by federal prosecutors in Manhattan and Brooklyn, ensuring privileged materials are protected and disclosure obligations are met appropriately.
• Communication Management: Our federal criminal defense attorneys can handle all interactions with investigating agencies, preventing clients from inadvertently making damaging statements to federal agents operating throughout the five boroughs.
• Target Letter Response: Early intervention when you receive a target letter allows us to potentially prevent indictment through proactive negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Foley Square.
• Search Warrant Protection: Our team can immediately respond to federal search warrants, ensuring agents stay within the warrant’s scope and protecting privileged materials during searches at homes or businesses across the NYC metropolitan area.
• Grand Jury Strategy: Early representation allows our federal criminal defense lawyers to develop effective strategies for grand jury subpoenas and testimony before the Eastern or Southern District courts.
• Asset Protection: We can implement measures to protect your assets from potential forfeiture actions before federal authorities in New York begin freezing accounts or seizing property.
• Parallel Proceedings: Early intervention allows us to coordinate defense strategies across multiple proceedings, whether dealing with SEC investigations in Manhattan’s Financial District or IRS audits.
• Agency Negotiations: Our federal criminal defense team can open dialogue with investigating agencies before positions harden, potentially negotiating more favorable resolutions at the pre-indictment stage.
• Evidence Challenges: Early involvement allows us to identify and document potential constitutional violations or procedural errors by federal agents, strengthening future suppression motions in federal court.
• Media Management: We can implement strategies to manage press coverage and protect your reputation before cases become public, particularly crucial for high-profile matters in the New York media market.
• Cooperation Assessment: Early intervention allows our federal criminal defense attorneys to evaluate potential benefits and risks of cooperation before the best opportunities for favorable treatment expire.

Possible Penalties for Being Convicted of a Federal Crime

Our federal criminal defense attorneys work diligently to help clients avoid or minimize these potential consequences:

• Federal Prison Time: Federal sentencing guidelines often mandate significant prison terms, with many offenses carrying mandatory minimum sentences that must be served in federal facilities like the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn or Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan.
• Substantial Fines: Federal judges can impose fines reaching millions of dollars, particularly in white-collar cases prosecuted in Manhattan’s Financial District, with amounts often tied to the calculated financial loss or gain.
• Asset Forfeiture: Federal authorities can seize assets connected to criminal activity, including real estate throughout the five boroughs, business interests, vehicles, and financial accounts held at New York institutions.
• Supervised Release: After imprisonment, federal courts mandate supervised release periods lasting years, requiring regular reporting to probation officers in the Eastern or Southern Districts of New York.
• Professional License Loss: Federal convictions often trigger automatic suspension or revocation of professional licenses, affecting careers in Manhattan’s financial sector, healthcare industry, or legal profession.
• Immigration Consequences: Non-citizens face potential deportation and permanent inadmissibility following federal convictions, with proceedings at New York’s immigration court on Varick Street.
• Civil Liability: Federal criminal convictions can lead to parallel civil lawsuits, particularly in securities fraud cases involving Wall Street firms or healthcare fraud affecting New York hospitals.
• Federal Program Exclusion: Healthcare providers convicted of federal crimes face exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs, affecting their ability to practice in New York’s medical facilities.
• Employment Restrictions: Federal convictions can limit future employment opportunities, particularly in New York’s banking sector, government contractors, or positions requiring security clearances.
• Restitution Orders: Federal courts mandate repayment to victims, often involving substantial sums in fraud cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan.
• Travel Restrictions: Federal convictions can restrict international travel, affecting business professionals working with New York’s global companies and financial institutions.
• Registry Requirements: Certain federal convictions require registration in government databases, affecting housing options and employment opportunities throughout the NYC metropolitan area.
• Civil Rights Limitations: Federal convictions can result in the loss of voting rights, firearm privileges, and other civil liberties, with implications for New York residents.
• Reputation Damage: Federal convictions become permanent public records, searchable by employers, landlords, and financial institutions throughout New York and beyond.

Protecting Your Rights Against Federal Prosecution

Federal prosecutors often spend months or years building cases before making arrests. When you face federal criminal charges, you need a federal criminal defense lawyer who understands how to analyze and challenge evidence gathered by agencies like:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
• Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Full Listing of Federal Crimes and Relatable Punishments

At Konta Georges & Buza P.C., our federal criminal defense attorneys ensure clients understand the serious nature of federal charges and their potential consequences. While each case at the Southern and Eastern District courthouses presents unique circumstances, this guide outlines common federal crimes and their typical punishments under federal sentencing guidelines.

White Collar Crimes

Federal criminal charges involving financial misconduct are aggressively prosecuted in New York’s financial district. Common white collar offenses include:

• Securities Fraud: Federal criminal penalties can reach 20 years imprisonment per count, with fines up to $5 million for individuals. Cases prosecuted in Manhattan often involve parallel SEC civil actions and industry bars.
• Bank Fraud: Convictions carry up to 30 years in federal prison and fines up to $1 million. The presence of multiple victims from New York financial institutions typically increases sentences.
• Wire Fraud: Each count risks 20 years imprisonment. Cases involving international wire transfers through New York banks often face enhanced penalties.
• Mail Fraud: Maximum 20-year sentences per count, with cases involving USPS facilities in NYC often prosecuted alongside wire fraud charges.
• Tax Evasion: Penalties include up to 5 years imprisonment per count, fines up to $250,000, and mandatory restitution to the IRS.

Drug Offenses

Federal drug cases in New York often involve trafficking through JFK and LaGuardia airports:

• Drug Trafficking: Mandatory minimums apply based on drug type and quantity:
  • • Heroin: 10 years to life for 1 kilogram or more
    • Cocaine: 10 years to life for 5 kilograms or more
    • Methamphetamine: 10 years to life for 50 grams or more
    • Marijuana: 5 to 40 years for 1,000 kilograms or more
• Drug Conspiracy: Penalties match the underlying trafficking offense, even for minor participants.

Violent Crimes

Federal prosecution of violent crimes often involves cross-border activities in the tri-state area:

• Robbery: Hobbs Act violations carry up to 20 years per count, with weapons enhancements adding mandatory consecutive terms.
• Kidnapping: Federal kidnapping convictions risk life imprisonment, with mandatory minimums if victims are minors.
• Firearms Offenses: Unlawful possession carries up to 10 years, with armed career criminal enhancements risking life terms.

Cybercrime

Digital offenses prosecuted from Manhattan’s tech corridor include:

• Computer Fraud: Maximum 10-year sentences for first offenses, with enhancements for sophisticated means or critical infrastructure.
• Identity Theft: Mandatory 2-year consecutive sentence, with aggravated identity theft involving New York financial institutions risking longer terms.

Public Corruption

Cases often prosecuted in Manhattan’s federal courts include:

• Bribery: Up to 15 years imprisonment per count, with forfeiture of corrupt payments and debarment from public contracts.
• Honest Services Fraud: Maximum 20-year sentences, often charged alongside other corruption counts.

Immigration Crimes

Common at New York’s transportation hubs:

• Illegal Reentry: Up to 2 years for basic violations, 10 years with prior deportations, 20 years with aggravated felony records.
• Immigration Fraud: Maximum 10-year sentences for document fraud, with conspiracy charges risking additional penalties.

Federal Crime Sentencing Enhancements

Federal sentences can increase based on factors including:

• Leadership role in the offense
• Vulnerable victims
• Use of sophisticated means
• Obstruction of justice
• Criminal history
• Loss amount in financial cases
• Drug quantity in narcotics cases

Federal Crime Collateral Consequences

Beyond imprisonment and fines, federal offense convictions often trigger:

• Mandatory forfeiture of crime proceeds and facilitating property
• Restitution to victims
• Supervised release periods of up to life
• Professional license revocations
• Immigration consequences
• Civil monetary penalties
• Debarment from federal programs

At Konta Georges & Buza P.C., our federal criminal defense lawyers work to minimize these severe consequences. Our federal criminal defense attorneys understand the complex federal sentencing guidelines and how to achieve better outcomes in New York federal courts. Contact us immediately if you face federal criminal charges.

Protect Your Rights and Freedom

Time is critical in federal criminal cases. Our federal criminal defense lawyers are ready to evaluate your case and begin building your defense immediately. Contact Konta Georges & Buza P.C. today for a confidential consultation with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney.

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer FAQs

What distinguishes federal criminal cases from state cases in New York?

Federal cases involve more extensive resources, including FBI, DEA, and other federal agencies operating throughout NYC. These cases typically feature longer investigations, more sophisticated evidence gathering, and higher conviction rates than state cases. Federal prosecutors in the Southern and Eastern Districts also have smaller caseloads, allowing them to devote more attention to each case.

How long do federal criminal investigations typically last?

Federal investigations by agencies operating in the New York metropolitan area often continue for months or years before charges are filed. During this time, agents gather evidence through surveillance, witness interviews, and document subpoenas. Our federal criminal defense lawyers can often work to influence the investigation’s direction during this crucial period.

Can I refuse to speak with federal agents who want to interview me?

You have the constitutional right to decline interviews with federal agents from any agency. In fact, our federal criminal defense attorneys strongly recommend against speaking with federal investigators without counsel present, as even seemingly innocent statements can be problematic later in your case.

If I’m guilty, should I cooperate with federal prosecutors in New York?

The decision to cooperate requires careful analysis by a federal criminal defense lawyer. While cooperation can lead to reduced sentences in Manhattan and Brooklyn federal courts, it also carries risks and obligations. We help clients evaluate their options and negotiate favorable cooperation terms when appropriate.

Will my case go to trial in federal court?

While most federal cases in New York resolve through plea agreements, our federal criminal defense attorneys prepare every case for trial. This approach often leads to better plea offers from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ensures we’re ready if negotiations don’t produce acceptable results.

Can federal charges be expunged from my record?

Federal courts in New York rarely grant expungements. However, our federal criminal defense lawyers can often negotiate plea agreements that minimize long-term consequences and help clients understand their disclosure obligations for employment and other purposes.

What happens if I’m released on bail in a federal case?

Pretrial release in the Southern and Eastern Districts typically involves strict conditions, including regular reporting to pretrial services, travel restrictions within the tri-state area, and possible electronic monitoring. Violations can result in immediate detention at federal facilities.

How do federal sentencing guidelines work?

Federal guidelines calculate recommended sentences based on offense level and criminal history. However, after United States v. Booker, these guidelines are advisory rather than mandatory. Our federal criminal defense attorneys know how to argue for departures and variances to achieve below-guidelines sentences.

Can I appeal a federal criminal conviction?

Federal convictions can be appealed to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan, but strict deadlines and procedural requirements apply. Our federal criminal defense lawyers preserve appeal issues throughout district court proceedings to protect this important right.

What makes federal drug cases different from state drug cases?

Federal drug cases in New York often involve larger quantities, multiple defendants, and sophisticated trafficking operations. Federal mandatory minimum sentences are typically harsher than state penalties, and pretrial detention is more common in federal drug cases.

How do federal prosecutors prove white collar crimes?

Cases in Manhattan’s financial district often rely on extensive documentary evidence, electronic communications, and cooperating witnesses. Federal prosecutors use sophisticated forensic techniques to trace financial transactions through New York’s banking system.

Can federal agents search my electronic devices?

Federal agents need a warrant to search phones and computers, except in limited circumstances at border crossings like JFK Airport. Our federal criminal defense attorneys challenge improper searches and work to protect electronically stored information.