Pensacola Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
Pensacola Federal Criminal Defense Team Lead
Former Deputy Chief, Appellate Division
225 N Pace Blvd.
Pensacola, FL 32505
888-680-1745
Pensacola may sit at the westernmost point of Florida‘s long panhandle. Even so, the companies and professionals working there are not removed from the federal government’s watchful eye. The area has seen a number of high-stakes criminal cases brought against people in Pensacola and the surrounding area. Many have stemmed from investigations into white-collar crime by agencies such as the OIG, IRS, DEA, and FBI. If you are currently involved in a federal investigation in any capacity, if you have been named as a target, suspect, or if an arrest has already been made, you need to take steps to protect your legal interests, your future, and your freedom.
Oberheiden, P.C., can help. We are a federal defense law firm with a national presence. Our Pensacola federal criminal defense lawyers have a long record of results. Our firm offers 100+ years of combined experience in federal law and with the federal court system. The firm includes several attorneys who worked as prosecutors for the U.S. government before joining our private defense practice. We provide broad-based federal defense services to businesses and individuals in Pensacola.
We have an extremely strong record in trials in federal courts. But, our work is focused on an even better outcome: avoiding criminal charges in the first place. If our client hires us after charges for crimes have already been filed, however, our goal is to get those charges dropped before a trial.
In the overwhelming majority of cases, we’ve achieved those goals. Our skilled Pensacola criminal defense attorney fights with strategy and aggression. Our aim is to protect our clients, their reputations, their businesses, their freedom, and their futures.
Are You Being Investigated by the FBI, OIG, IRS, or DEA in Pensacola?
If so, it is critical that you come to fully appreciate the gravity of this situation, right away. There is no such thing as a minor or low-stakes federal investigation. Federal agents are specially trained to find evidence and use it against you.
If they can put you in federal prison, they will.
If they can fine you millions of dollars and then publicly proclaim that victory “on behalf of the taxpayers,” they will.
If they can crush your business for the sake of looking “tough on crime, fraud, waste, and abuse,” they will.
Everything you do from this point forward matters. The best thing you can do is hire a strong legal defense team. Choosing the right firm can make all the difference. The Pensacola criminal defense lawyers at Oberheiden, P.C. achieve their clients’ goals in these ways:
- We fight to Avoid Charges in Every Investigation. Your situation may seem very scary. But, if the government hasn’t yet filed charges, it’s still possible to avoid prosecution. We have resolved the overwhelming majority of our clients’ cases without federal crime charges ever filed. Avoiding charges is always the best outcome, and it’s always our goal.
- We Focus on the Unique Aspects of Each Individual Case. At the beginning of any legal crisis, we focus on getting to the heart of the situation. It’s essential to understand every detail of the case and every fact that may interest the government. Our highly experienced Pensacola federal criminal defense lawyers ask the right questions from day one. We always have an eye out for the small details that can make a decisive difference.
- We Rely on Extensive Federal Experience to Execute Strong Defense Strategies. Criminal defense hinges on insight and strategy. Oberheiden, P.C., offers the benefit of insight from both sides of FBI, OIG, IRS, and DEA investigations. We have refined our approach over many years of experience, and we can level the playing field for our clients. We pursue the strategies with the highest likelihood of achieving a favorable outcome.
- We Help Our Clients Make Confident and Informed Decisions. If you are being targeted by the FBI, DEA, IRS, OIG, or another federal agency in Pensacola, you’ll probably find yourself asking questions you never thought of before. Things like:
- “How should I prepare my employees for the possibility of a federal raid?”;
- “What if I know of evidence that could incriminate me?”;
- “What should I be doing (or not doing) right now to protect my interests during a pending investigation?” Federal criminal cases are terrifying for those targeted. Even if you’re just a witness, you need protective guidance and strong advice. Our knowledgeable Pensacola federal criminal defense lawyer will answer your questions with shrewd and thoughtful responses, confidentially, and with your best interests in mind.
- We Never Give In. We are not a “cross your fingers” law firm. Our philosophy for criminal defense is an aggressive one. We are relentless in the pursuit of good outcomes for our clients–we never give up. We will do everything we can to reach a favorable ending for your case. A “quick compromise” is far less than you deserve and less than we can achieve.
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)
Federal Defense Lawyers for Federal Criminal Matters in Pensacola
The government is extremely powerful and aggressive. Federal agents assigned to investigate criminal matters have only one job. That is to search for evidence that can be referred for prosecution.
People and businesses targeted by the government deserve to have someone looking out for them. They need a team that can be just as aggressive as the government, developing custom strategies and giving smart, proactive advice at every turn.
Why Am I Being Targeted by the…
…Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)?
The FBI serves as the country’s chief law enforcement agency. Most FBI investigations pertain to one of the following criminal matters:
- Computer crimes,
- Internet crimes,
- Terrorism,
- Public corruption,
- Bribery,
- Organized crime,
- Federal conspiracies, and
- Drug crimes.
The FBI is often involved in investigations led by federal prosecutors from other agencies as well.
…Office of Inspector General (OIG)?
The OIG serves as the law enforcement arm of the national Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Most HHS – OIG investigations involve criminal allegations and federal charges of healthcare fraud targeting a federal benefits program. Program examples are those operated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
…Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
The IRS serves as the nation’s tax collection agency and as its primary law enforcement agency for tax-related crimes. Most IRS investigations pertain to a criminal violation of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Many of these matters involve a suspicion of intentional tax fraud. However, the IRS assists other federal agencies in matters that might involve tax filings or IRC violations (money laundering, for instance).
…Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?
The DEA was created to enforce the law on controlled substances in the United States. Covered are not only illegal drugs, but also prescription medications. DEA investigations may be aimed at:
- Drug diversion;
- High-level professionals suspected of possessing a large quantity of illegal drugs or playing some small role in a drug conspiracy, or;
- Drug dealers accused of peddling illegal street substances.
Q&A with an Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Attorney at Oberheiden, P.C.
Q: What are the penalties for federal crimes?
A: Federal crimes almost always carry significant penalties, but the scope of those penalties can vary. On one end of the spectrum, conviction might mean a sentence of several years in prison and/or a few thousand dollars in fines. On the other end of the spectrum, it might mean decades of imprisonment and/or millions of dollars in fines. What often surprises people is the fact that many white-collar crimes sit at the more extreme end of that spectrum, with incredibly harsh, life-ruining penalties on the table. Many people also don’t understand that business organizations can be prosecuted for a crime, as well. Those fines can be impossible to recover from. The potential penalties in your particular case will depend on the charges being filed. This is something our Pensacola federal criminal defense lawyers work on determining right away.
Q: Does the federal government negotiate plea bargains?
A: Yes. If, for some reason, we’re not able to avoid charges in your case (or if you have already been formally charged with a crime), negotiating a plea bargain might represent your best available option. We encourage people, however, not to rush into a plea bargain. Don’t think of a plea as being your first or best option until you’ve talked to an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer about other options. This is a mistake too many defendants (and even some defense lawyers) make. At Oberheiden, P.C., our team has convinced prosecutors to drop charges in many cases. Never resign yourself to a plea bargain before fully exploring all options with an attorney. An attorney who has real experience in negotiating these matters with federal agencies.
Q: Can your firm represent me in Pensacola, FL?
A: Yes. We maintain a national presence and our attorneys are able to represent clients nationwide. We have represented clients in 21 states and counting, including Florida. We can conduct an initial case review over the phone. After that, our criminal defense attorneys are available to travel to Pensacola (or anywhere else in Northwest Florida) on a moment’s notice.
Speak with our Pensacola Federal Defense Attorneys about Your FBI, IRS, DEA, or OIG Investigation
Oberheiden, P.C.’s federal defense team has significant experience in high-stakes federal investigations. If your business, practice, or reputation is at risk, our proven Pensacola federal criminal defense attorneys can use our experience on both sides of FBI, OIG, IRS, and DEA investigations to develop a narrowly tailored strategy. Our one and only goal is protecting you. That means keeping you in business, out of prison, and away from the financial destruction that a federal criminal conviction could bring.
For more information and legal advice relevant to the specifics of your investigation in Pensacola, please set up a free and confidential case assessment with our office, right away. Simply call our responsive Pensacola federal criminal defense attorneys at 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can help online now.
