Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Team Lead
Former Deputy Chief, Appellate Division
Federal agents conduct criminal investigations and make arrests throughout Tampa, Florida, and Hillsborough County. The activity occurs from Downtown Tampa to Town ‘n’ Country, Ybor City, Forest Hills, Seminole Heights, Temple Terrace, and beyond.
These are serious matters. Whether you are under federal criminal investigation or facing arrest and federal charges, you deserve to have an experienced, proactive, and aggressive federal defense attorney on your side when you go to federal court.
Oberheiden, P.C. is a federal defense law firm with a national reach that represents clients in Tampa and Central-West Florida. We assist in matters involving the:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI),
- Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG),
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
- Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and
- Other federal law enforcement agencies.
Together, our Tampa federal criminal lawyers have over 100 years of experience in the federal criminal justice system. Several of our attorneys held the role of federal prosecutor before entering private practice.
Federal investigations pose extreme risks. The penalties for conviction of a federal crime can include steep fines, long prison sentences, loss of licensure, and more. Businesses can also face enormous criminal fines for a guilty verdict of committing federal crimes. Hiring the right Tampa federal criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference.
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)
Are You Being Targeted by the FBI, OIG, IRS, or DEA in Tampa?
Do you think you may be the subject of federal suspicion? Are you are aware of an active investigation, or any evidence that might support a criminal allegation against you? If “yes” to either of these questions, you must proceed with caution. Your every action and statement from this point forward could impact your case.
That’s why it’s in your best interest to work with experienced defense attorneys. They can help you navigate the complexities of a federal criminal case.
At Oberheiden, P.C., our Tampa federal criminal defense lawyers strive to protect clients in any direct contact with the federal government. In addition, our attorneys:
- Fight to Avoid Federal Charges in Every Investigation. If the government has not yet filed formal charges against you, there is still time to keep that from happening. Don’t make the mistake of assuming it’s too late to change the outcome of your situation. In the majority of cases, we have been able to prevent the filing of charges against our clients for any federal crime.
- Draw on Our Extensive Federal Experience. Our experience on both sides of federal investigations allows us to defend our clients with true insight. Over the course of many years, our Tampa, FL federal criminal defense attorneys have refined our approach. It includes intervening in ongoing investigations, negotiating on our client’s behalf, and always providing aggressive criminal defense.
- Focus on the Unique Aspects of Your Case. Every situation is different. Often, it’s the small details in a case that end up being the decisive factors in our clients’ victories. Our Tampa federal defense lawyers are dedicated to learning your story in detail and exploring every path toward a positive outcome.
- Help Our Clients Make Smart, Confident, and Informed Decisions. Communicating with federal agents can be treacherous. They do not have your best interests at heart. Anything you say to them can, and likely will, be used against you. Having an experienced hand to guide you can make all the difference. Our clients turn to our Tampa federal criminal defense attorneys for sound advice, protection, and peace of mind.
- NEVER Give In. Simply put, we are an aggressive law firm. We fight to protect your professional licenses and/or registrations. We defend your reputation, good standing, and public goodwill. And, most importantly, our federal criminal attorneys fight to get ALL charges dropped, every time.
Why Am I Being Investigated by the…
…Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)?
The FBI is the United States’ chief law enforcement agency. It maintains a heavy presence in the Tampa region. While the FBI is involved in a number of different federal investigations, it’s principally tasked with investigating federal crimes of:
- Terrorism,
- Internet abuse,
- Public corruption,
- Conspiracy, and
- Organized crime.
Read more about the FBI’s stated mission here. The Bureau also works directly with state agencies, meaning a state investigation can quickly turn into a federal one.
…Office of Inspector General (OIG)?
The OIG is the office responsible for enforcing federal laws on behalf of the United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). It is dedicated to protecting federal healthcare benefit programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and others. OIG investigations often involve billing problems, the submission of false claims, or other criminal healthcare matters.
…Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?
The DEA is responsible for investigating drug-related offenses at the federal level. If you are a healthcare provider, the DEA may be investigating you for drug diversion (that is, the mishandling of prescription substances). The DEA is keenly interested in the diversion of opioids, painkillers, and other addictive medications. There are also white-collar professionals under investigation by the DEA with no connection to the healthcare industry. In this case, you may be suspected of possessing, buying, selling, or conspiring to distribute illegal street drugs.
…Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
In addition to collecting taxes, the IRS is responsible for enforcing the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). It’s a federal criminal law enforcement agency and should receive the same caution and discretion as the DEA, OIG, or FBI. A seemingly “routine” IRS audit could become a criminal case if the Service finds evidence of wrongdoing. Even if you have advice from an accountant on ordinary tax matters, when investigated by the IRS in the Tampa Bay area, you should contact our experienced federal criminal defense attorneys right away.
Q&A with a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney in Our Firm
Q: How can a federal defense attorney help me?
A: A Tampa, Florida federal criminal defense attorney is a crucial asset to anyone facing federal charges. When you learn of the federal charges against you, you’re already behind in terms of case preparation. This is because the U.S. Attorney assigned to your case will have already presented their case to a grand jury in federal court. The grand jury then found there was probable cause to file the charges against you. A good federal defense lawyer will hit the ground running as soon as they take your case. Often, an attorney’s first step is to conduct their own investigation into the allegations. This will help determine the source and accuracy of the prosecution’s evidence. An experienced attorney is familiar with the process and understands how to best defend against the charges. If the evidence is overwhelming, an attorney can advocate on your behalf for a favorable plea agreement. This can also take place in front of the judge during your sentencing hearing in federal court. If you face federal criminal charges, too much is at stake to take any chances. Contact an experienced Tampa federal criminal lawyer as soon as possible.
Q: How long does a federal investigation last? When will I be charged?
A: Without knowing the details of your situation, it is impossible for us to know when charges might be filed.
Generally, if the investigation is still in its early stages, we have the greatest chance of intervening. We may be able to even avoid all federal charges. However, the longer an investigation goes on, the more likely agents will find evidence they can use to build a federal case.
Our highly skilled Tampa federal criminal defense lawyers have often been able to avoid the filing of charges even when an investigation has continued for some time. In some cases, this has happened even after a grand jury indictment. That is a feat of which we are proud.
Unfortunately, you might not know how long the IRS, FBI, DEA, or OIG has been working against you. These agencies are good at what they do behind the scenes. So when we enter a case, one of the first things we do is determine the current stage of the investigation. That information informs our strategy.
However, you should never assume it’s too late. For that matter, you should never assume you are guilty. There is a difference between legal guilt and the feeling of guilt you might be carrying around inside. We have been able to end investigations without charges in the majority of our cases. So please call a federal defense lawyer immediately, never delay.
Q: Why are federal agents targeting Tampa?
A: For practical reasons, the federal government concentrates its resources in major metropolitan areas. There are only nine cities in the nation where the federal government has established a Medicare Fraud Task Force. Those nine cities have a large population, a great number of benefit recipients, and a history of fraud. Tampa is one of those cities.
The agents working from the Tampa office investigate the Tampa Bay region and beyond, so anyone in the vicinity of Tampa must be careful. It’s not just healthcare fraud. Federal agents are actively searching for, raiding, and arresting on a very wide range of crimes in Tampa. This includes anything from drug trafficking or stockbroker fraud to internet crimes.
In so many cases, these investigations are rushed. The charges are not supported by the facts. That’s why we step in and shine a light on the government’s over-eagerness or errors.
Q: Can your firm represent me in Tampa Bay, FL? Do you travel?
A: Yes, we maintain a national presence. Our attorneys are able to represent clients in federal courts nationwide. We have represented clients in 21 states and counting, including Florida. We typically begin with a free case review by phone or video conference. Then, our federal defense attorneys are available to travel to Tampa on a moment’s notice.
Speak with Our Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys about Your FBI, OIG, IRS, or DEA 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, we can use our experience on both sides of FBI, OIG, IRS, and DEA investigations to develop a custom defense. Our one and only goal is protecting you. That means keeping you in business, out of prison, and away from the financial peril federal criminal fines can bring.
For more information and legal advice specific to your investigation in Tampa, please set up a free and confidential case assessment with our office today. Simply call our Tampa federal defense lawyer immediately at 813-322-6783 or tell us how we can help online now.
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