DETROIT CRIMINAL LAW BLOG
- May 14, 2026
- Criminal Defense
Federal accusations should be taken seriously, with the government having vast resources to investigate your claim. Federal assault charges may apply if you threaten, strike, or harm a federal employee. A federal charge carries harsher penalties, including longer jail time and higher fines. Given the enhanced penalties, you could be spending the majority of your life behind bars if convicted.
If you are currently under federal investigation or have received a target letter, you want an attorney who has experience in the federal court system. As a former federal prosecutor, our Michigan federal crimes defense attorney at the Law Office of John Freeman is prepared to advocate aggressively for your rights.
Investigating Early to Shift Your Case Trajectory
When our former federal prosecutor investigates your case, he will figure out where the government’s weaknesses lie. This will entail assessing the facts to determine if there were any procedural errors. A procedural error may include a broken chain of custody, Constitutional violations, or gaps in surveillance.
Perhaps the most common Constitutional violation is an illegal search and seizure. Federal investigators must obtain a warrant or get your consent before searching your home or any place you have a reasonable expectation of privacy. In a zest to uncover evidence, federal investigators may attempt to bypass this law by claiming that an exigent circumstance applied. An exigent circumstance would allow a federal investigator to enter your home without first obtaining a warrant.
For example, the hot pursuit exception allows law enforcement to chase a suspect into a private residence when they have probable cause to make an arrest and the arrest was initiated in a public place. However, law enforcement may use the hot pursuit exception, but it may not apply to your situation. If our federal crimes defense lawyer determines that evidence was illegally obtained, he will file a motion with the court to suppress any applicable evidence from the record.
Preparing for Trial
As the accused, you want someone who can craft a narrative that reduces your criminal liability while using legal principles to support it. Federal criminal cases are based on the Federal Rules of Evidence and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. These regulations establish the timeline for pre-trial phases, admissibility of evidence, and discovery rules. Discovery is the exchange of information between parties, and it is a crucial element of any criminal case.
Additionally, our Michigan federal defense lawyer will secure expert witnesses with scientific or technical knowledge to assess the alleged crime. These expert witnesses can poke holes in the prosecution’s case by identifying flaws in the investigative process or pinpointing the unreliability of certain evidence.
Our federal crimes defense lawyer will craft cross-examination questions that discredit an eyewitness’s credibility. When impeaching a witness, prior out-of-court statements made by that witness can be used against them (a hearsay exception). Careful preparation will undermine the prosecution’s ability to prove your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Consult with Our Michigan Federal Crimes Defense Attorney Today
The U.S. government prosecutes federal criminal offenses aggressively, placing you at risk of severe punishment. If you or a loved one has been notified that you are under a grand jury investigation, the Law Office of John Freeman would like to hear from you. Having presented over 160 cases to a Grand Jury as a federal prosecutor, Attorney John Freeman is familiar with the government’s indictment strategies. You should feel at ease knowing that you are working with experienced counsel. To schedule a free consultation with our Michigan federal crimes defense lawyer, contact us online or by calling (248) 519-2313.