Have you been charged with a federal crime in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? Call Overman Legal Group for a free consultation at (405) 605-6718. Our Oklahoma City federal criminal defense lawyers can help you present the best defense possible and work toward a favorable outcome as the law permits.
We are a trusted criminal defense law firm that will treat your case with the urgency and attention it demands from the moment you hire us. Our legal team has 40 years of combined experience and has helped clients navigate some of the most complex federal investigations and prosecutions in the Western District of Oklahoma in that time. We’re prepared to do the same for you.
Get in touch with us today to learn more about your best course of action. The sooner we can get to work on your behalf, the better.
Why Hire Overman Legal Group if I’m Facing Federal Charges in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma?
Not every criminal defense law firm in Oklahoma City, OK, handles federal cases, due in part to the fact that the rules and procedures in federal court are fundamentally different from what you’ll find in Oklahoma state court. Overman Legal Group has the specific experience needed to defend you effectively in this kind of environment.
Clients trust our team because:
- We have decades of criminal defense legal experience altogether
- Our team includes former prosecutors who understand how the state tries its cases
- We will keep you apprised of your case’s status and your legal rights at all times
- We can leverage extensive resources, including relationships with top-rated expert witnesses, to bolster your defense as much as possible
- We will conduct a thorough internal investigation into your arrest and the evidence against you to formulate a plan of action
- We’ll represent you throughout the entire legal process from start to finish, including all the way to trial if that’s in your best interest
Federal prosecutors take notice when a defendant shows up with capable representation on their side. Contact our Oklahoma City criminal defense attorneys today to get started with a free consultation.
Federal Criminal Cases vs. State Criminal Cases
If you’ve only had experience with Oklahoma’s state court system, federal court will feel like an entirely different world. Learning about those differences early on can help you make better decisions about your defense, including differences in the following areas:
Investigation
Federal cases are typically investigated by agencies like the FBI and the DEA. These investigations are thorough and often run for months before any charges are filed. By the time you become aware of the case, the government may have already gathered witness statements and other evidence.
Charging Process
In state court, charges are usually filed by a district attorney after an arrest. In federal court, most cases begin with either a grand jury indictment or a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. A target letter notifies you that charges are being considered and invites you to respond before the indictment is issued.
Detention and Bond
Oklahoma state courts generally set some form of bond for most criminal charges. Federal court works differently. After your initial appearance, a magistrate judge will hold a detention hearing to determine whether you should be released or held in custody for the duration of your case.
If you’re found to be a flight risk or a danger to the community, you may be held without bond pending trial. Because the detention hearing can have a significant impact on your case, it is important to be prepared with evidence supporting your release.
Sentencing
Federal sentences are guided by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which calculate a recommended range based on the severity of the offense and your criminal history. While the guidelines became advisory after the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker (2005), judges still give them significant weight.
Many federal offenses also carry mandatory minimum sentences that the judge cannot go below. The stakes in federal sentencing are often dramatically higher than what you’d face in state court for a comparable offense.
Types of Federal Crimes We Defend in Oklahoma City, OK
Federal criminal charges cover a wide range of offenses, including both misdemeanors and felonies. Our criminal defense attorneys at Overman Legal Group are prepared to defend clients facing charges in any of the following areas:
Drug Crimes
Drug offenses make up a significant portion of the federal docket in the Western District of Oklahoma. Trafficking cases, in particular, carry mandatory minimum sentences that can mean decades in prison depending on the type and quantity of drugs involved.
White-Collar Crimes
Federal white-collar prosecutions target financial offenses like fraud, money laundering, and more. These cases tend to involve extensive document review and forensic accounting as well.
Firearms Offenses
Federal firearms charges can arise when someone who is legally prohibited from possessing a weapon is found with one. They also come into play when a firearm is used during the commission of another federal crime.
Violent Crimes
Violent crimes like bank robbery and kidnapping can be prosecuted at the federal level when they involve federal jurisdiction. Violent federal charges carry some of the harshest penalties in the system, including life imprisonment in the most serious cases.
Conspiracy
Conspiracy is one of the most commonly charged federal offenses. It only requires proof that two or more people agreed to commit a crime and that at least one of them took a step toward carrying it out. You can be convicted of conspiracy even if the underlying crime was never completed, which makes these charges particularly dangerous.
Contact our federal crimes attorneys in Oklahoma City today if you’re facing any of these charges. We’re qualified to help you every step of the way.
What Are the Potential Penalties for Federal Crimes in Oklahoma?
Federal convictions carry penalties that are often far more severe than what you’d face in state court for a similar offense. The exact consequences depend on factors like the nature of the charges, your criminal history, and where your case falls within the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Some of the penalties you could be facing include:
- Lengthy prison sentences, sometimes measured in decades
- Mandatory minimum sentences that the judge cannot reduce below a set floor
- Fines that can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars
- Restitution orders requiring you to repay victims for financial losses
- Supervised release following your prison term, with strict conditions that can last for years
- Forfeiture of property and assets connected to the alleged offense
Beyond the sentence itself, a federal conviction creates collateral consequences that can follow you indefinitely. For example, finding employment becomes significantly harder with a federal felony on your record, as does housing.
If you’re not a U.S. citizen, deportation proceedings are a real possibility. In addition, the damage to your personal and professional reputation can be difficult to undo.
Defenses Available in Oklahoma City Federal Criminal Cases
The prosecution in a federal criminal case still carries the burden of proving every element of the charges against you beyond a reasonable doubt. That is the highest standard of proof in the legal system, and it gives our defense attorneys real room to work with.
The right defense strategy depends entirely on the facts of your case. Our trial attorneys will review the government’s evidence, investigate the circumstances of the charges, and determine the best arguments available to you from there.
Some of the most commonly raised defenses in federal cases include:
- The evidence against you was obtained through an illegal search or seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment
- Statements you made to federal agents were taken without proper Miranda warnings
- You were the target of government entrapment, meaning law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you wouldn’t have otherwise committed
- The prosecution’s evidence is insufficient to meet the beyond a reasonable doubt standard
- You had no knowledge of the criminal activity you’re being connected to, which is particularly relevant in conspiracy cases
- You have been misidentified, or the government has the wrong person entirely
Many of these defenses involve challenging the government’s methods rather than the underlying facts. Federal agents don’t always follow proper procedures during investigations; when they cut corners, the evidence they collected may be inadmissible.
An award-winning Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer with our law firm will know where to look for those mistakes and how to use them to your advantage.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Oklahoma City Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
Federal charges are among the most serious matters in the criminal justice system, but being charged in Oklahoma City, OK, does not mean you will be convicted. You have constitutional rights, and the government still has to prove its case against the presumption of innocence that you’re afforded.
At Overman Legal Group, our federal criminal defense attorneys have 40 years of combined experience and a deep understanding of how the Western District of Oklahoma operates. Contact our Oklahoma City federal criminal defense attorneys today to learn more and to schedule a free consultation.
