Phoenix Federal Crime Defense Attorneys

Federal Sex Crimes & Child Pornography Charges

Being charged with any sex crime in federal court is daunting, as the penalties are very severe. Besides long prison sentences, you could be forced to register as a sex offender and be on sex offender probation for the rest of your life. 

In a federal sex crime case in North Dakota, Attorney Dwane Cates got the entire United States Attorney’s office for the District of North Dakota thrown off a case. Dwane also represented a client in a Phoenix federal jury trial in a child pornography case that set a national precedent regarding the government’s use of Torrential Downpour software. This software monitors file-sharing networks and identifies people downloading known child pornography files. 

If you are facing a federal child pornography case, it is in your best interest to have forensic computer experts, investigators, and mitigation specialists on your side. We have the experience needed to effectively defend against these charges and maintain a robust network of experts who can aid in building your defense. 

Federal Drug Crimes

Only serious drug cases that involve large quantities of controlled substances tend to be charged in federal court. Many of these cases involve border crossings and can be investigated by the FBI, Homeland Security, Border Patrol, or even the IRS. We are prepared to take on federal cases involving many types of drugs, including fentanyl. 

Our team can also represent dealers who face federal charges after someone they allegedly sold drugs to dies. In these scenarios, the penalties may include life in prison.

Federal Conspiracy Charges

Federal prosecutors commonly charge cases as “conspiracy” cases. This allows them to punish an individual for the conduct of everyone involved in an alleged conspiracy.

For example, if you play a role in selling drugs, you could be prosecuted and punished for the conduct of everyone in the drug trafficking organization that you had contact with while selling drugs, even if you are the lowest person on the ladder. You can be charged with conspiracy even if you simply discussed committing a crime and took one small step toward committing that crime. 

We have experience specifically defending against federal conspiracy crimes. Our attorneys know the intricacies of these charges and have the knowledge necessary to defend your freedom.

Federal Homicide Charges

If a murder is committed on federal land or an Indian reservation, the case will be filed in federal court. A person facing federal homicide charges will be up against the full investigative resources of the United States government, including the FBI Laboratory and experienced federal investigators.

Our lawyers understand how to effectively counter these immense resources. Attorney Dwane Cates represented a client charged with first-degree murder, which allegedly took place on a reservation. The client was facing life in prison. Dwane leveraged his negotiating skills to secure a plea to second-degree murder with only 12 years in prison.

When Does a Criminal Offense Become a Federal Crime?

A crime may be charged at the federal level when the alleged conduct violates specific federal statutes or directly impacts the operations of the United States government. Most frequently, an offense escalates to a federal crime because the alleged activity involves crossing state lines, utilizing the national banking system, or employing the internet or U.S. Postal Service to facilitate the act. Furthermore, any alleged criminal act occurring on federal property, including military bases, courthouses, and the extensive tribal lands within Arizona, falls under the purview of federal authorities.

We can also encounter federal charges when the scope or severity of an alleged crime attracts the attention of specialized agencies like the FBI, DEA, or ATF. While Arizona state courts prosecute the majority of criminal matters, the doctrine of dual sovereignty permits the federal government to prosecute the same conduct if it violates federal law. This means a local arrest can quickly evolve into a federal indictment if the U.S. Attorney’s Office determines the case warrants their substantial resources and stricter sentencing guidelines.