Columbus Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you are under federal investigation or facing criminal charges in Columbus, OH, acting swiftly could be critical to avoiding devastating consequences. To put relevant experience on your side, contact the Columbus federal criminal defense attorneys at Oberheiden, P.C. – call 888-680-1745 now.
Columbus Federal Criminal Defense
Team Lead
Contact Nick175 South 3rd Street Suite 200
Columbus, OH, 43215
888-680-1745
Oberheiden, P.C. is a federal defense law firm comprised exclusively of senior attorneys who offer notable experience in high-stakes federal criminal cases, such as federal sex crimes and aggravated sexual abuse. Our team includes several attorneys who have extensive prior experience as prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). All of our Columbus criminal defense lawyers have extensive track records of securing favorable results in federal investigations, grand jury proceedings, and criminal trials.
If you are under investigation or facing charges in Columbus and Central Ohio you must engage experienced defense counsel immediately. Federal agencies, including the DOJ, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are aggressively targeting local individuals and businesses for a broad range of federal criminal charges. This includes federal law charges that carry the potential for crippling fines and years or decades of federal incarceration, and while these penalties may be avoidable, failing to act promptly can greatly increase your chances of facing a criminal conviction or felony conviction at trial and end up with a criminal record.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Dr. Nick Oberheiden
Founder
Attorney-at-Law
Lynette S. Byrd
Former DOJ Trial Attorney
Partner
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Hon. Kevin McCarthy
55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)
Government Consultant
Mike Pompeo
Of Counsel
Former U.S. Secretary of State
John W. Sellers
Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney
Linda Julin McNamara
Federal Appeals Attorney
Nicholas B. Johnson
Former Prosecutor
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (DOJ)
Chris J. Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Michael S. Koslow
Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Our Columbus Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys are Experienced in Representing Clients in High-Stakes Criminal Cases
Our experienced criminal defense attorneys are available to represent individuals and businesses that are being targeted for federal prosecution and criminal law violations in Columbus, OH. This includes doctors, lawyers, accountants, business executives, company owners, public officials, and other high-profile and high-net-worth individuals, as well as companies ranging from small professional practices to national and multi-national corporations. Call our law firm 24/7 at 888-680-1745 for a free and confidential assessment of your federal case involving allegations of federal and white collar crimes:
Healthcare Fraud
- Conspiracy to Commit Healthcare Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349)
- Criminal Health Care Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1347)
- Making False Statements Relating to Healthcare Matters (18 U.S.C. § 1035)
- Payment or Receipt of Illegal Remuneration (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b(b))
Drug Crimes (Including Prescription Drug Crimes)
- Conspiracy to Distribute Illegal Drugs or to Illegally Distribute Prescription Medications (21 U.S.C. § 846)
- Distribution and Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics or Opioids (Including Narcotic and Opioid Medications) (21 U.S.C. § 841)
Financial Crimes, Mail Crimes, and Other Forms of Fraud
- Bank Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344)
- Bribery and Public Corruption (18 U.S.C. § 201)
- Computer Fraud and Abuse (18 U.S.C. § 1030)
- Conspiracy to Commit Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349)
- Depositing Nonmailable Matter (39 U.S.C. § 3001)
- Extortion (18 U.S.C. § 1951)
- Insurance Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1033)
- Mail Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341)
- Money Laundering (18 U.S.C. § 1956)
- Securities Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1348)
- Tax Evasion (26 U.S.C. § 7201)
- Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343)
Q&A with Oberheiden, P.C. | What Do You Need to Know about Defending Yourself Against Federal Charges in Columbus, OH
Founding Attorney and One of the Best Criminal Defense Attorneys, Dr. Nick Oberheiden: If you are the target of a federal investigation in Columbus, OH, there are potentially a number of reasons why. If you participate in a federal government benefit program (such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare), the government’s automated review of participants’ billing data could have triggered an invasive inquiry. If you own or manage a business, it is also possible that a disgruntled former employee, customer, or competitor filed a “relator” claim under one of the numerous federal whistleblower statutes. Finally, in many cases, federal investigations are the result of tips provided by cooperating witnesses and other targets of overzealous law enforcement.
But, regardless of why you are being investigated, what you need to do next remains the same: You need to protect yourself, and you need to do so now. Federal investigations can move quickly; and, if at all possible, you want to try to terminate the government’s investigation before you are subpoenaed to appear before a federal grand jury in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio.
Q: Could I really be facing federal prison time?
Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney Joe Brown: Unfortunately, yes. Most federal criminal statutes include provisions for prison time; and, in many cases, individuals charged with multiple counts of multiple offenses can potentially be at risk for spending years or decades behind bars. In my experience as a federal defense lawyer and former Assistant U.S. Attorney, I have seen countless individuals face possible imprisonment for a broad range of federal criminal offenses.
With this in mind, if your investigation is still ongoing, one potential defense strategy is to try to keep your case civil in nature. If you cannot avoid charges entirely, facing civil charges will at least keep prison time off of the table. When my colleagues and I represent clients, we always examine the possibility of keeping our clients’ cases civil, though of course our primary goal is always to avoid life-changing criminal charges entirely.
Q: When should I consider hiring a Columbus federal criminal defense attorney?
Defense Lawyer and Former U.S. Attorney S. Amanda Marshall: If you are asking this question, now is probably the right time to hire a defense lawyer, or at least to schedule an initial consultation. Too often, people wait too long to engage defense counsel; and, by the time they eventually do, they have lost many opportunities to resolve their cases short of jury trial. If you are facing federal criminal charges, or if you even think that federal authorities might possibly be looking into your professional or business practices, it is strongly in your interest to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away.
At Oberheiden, P.C., our law office offers free initial consultations to all prospective clients. The consultation with a Columbus federal criminal defense lawyer is completely confidential, and we will be happy to help you make an informed decision about your next steps in the government’s investigation.
Q: How likely is it that my federal criminal case will go to trial?
Special Counsel and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Wiley: The answer to this question depends on a multitude of different factors, not the least of which is the current status of your case. Are you the target of an early-stage federal investigation? Or, have you already been indicted on federal criminal charges? From the evidence that is available to the U.S. Attorney’s Office to the strength of your defense team, various other factors must be considered as well; and, while going to trial is always a possibility, you do not want to resign yourself to this fate until all potential alternatives have been exhausted.
Q: I am innocent. Do I still need to hire a defense lawyer?
Senior Counsel and Federal Appellate Attorney Elizabeth Stepp: Yes, even if you are 100% certain that you are innocent, you should still hire a defense lawyer experienced in criminal justice system to represent you. If the evidence shows that you are innocent, your lawyer should be able to use this to convince the government not to pursue charges as a result of the investigation. If you happen to be wrong and there is a federal criminal statute of which you are not aware, then an experienced federal defense attorney will be able to advise and represent you accordingly. In my appellate experience, I have seen far too many cases in which defendants made the mistake of wrongly assuming that their innocence alone would protect them from a guilty verdict at trial.
1. Engage Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Counsel
Once again, if you are being targeted by the DEA, DOJ, FBI, IRS, OIG, USPIS, or any other federal agency or task force, the most important thing for you to do is to seek legal advice and engage experienced defense counsel right away.
2. Remain Silent
If you are contacted by federal agents, exercise your right to remain silent. Decline to answer any questions, and instruct your employees to do the same. Let the agent who investigates federal crimes know that you are exercising your right to remain silent, and tell them you are requesting to speak with your attorney.
3. Preserve Potential Evidence
Be sure to keep any records or other evidence that could potentially be relevant to your case. Not only will this be important to your defense, but destroying potential evidence could lead to charges even if you are not guilty of the federal crime for which you are being targeted.
4. Write Down Key Details
In addition to preserving potential evidence, write down any key details so that you remember to share them with your Columbus federal criminal lawyer. This includes information about your interactions with federal agents as well as any information that may aid in building a substantive defense.
5. Avoid Critical Mistakes
Initially, one of the biggest ways our attorneys will be able to help you is by advising you on mistakes you need to avoid on federal court. While we deal with the federal government on your behalf, you should remain focused on avoiding these mistakes so that you do not inadvertently increase your chances of criminal prosecution.
Speak with a Columbus Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Confidence
Are you being targeted by federal authorities in Columbus, Ohio? If so, contact us now to schedule your free initial consultation with a member of Oberheiden, P.C.’s general criminal defense team. To speak with one of our Columbus federal criminal attorneys as soon as possible, call 888-680-1745 or inquire online now.
Additional Pages for Columbus, Ohio
Columbus Federal Criminal Defense Attorney | Federal Lawyer
