What is a grand jury?

A grand jury is a group of people that review a federal prosecutor's case to determine if there is probable cause to bring charges. Grand juries meet in secret, which means you will not know if you are under investigation. Additionally, no judge is present during grand jury proceedings––the prosecutor is the only side that presents evidence. Federal prosecutors can issue grand jury subpoenas, demanding parties either testify in front of the grand jury or produce evidence that the prosecutor believes is relevant to their case. If you received a grand jury subpoena or were indicted for a federal crime, contact a highly experienced California federal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options and learn how to protect your interests.

What should I do if I receive a subpoena?

If you receive a grand jury subpoena, it could mean that you are under investigation for a federal crime. However, that is not necessarily the case. The U.S. Attorney's Office can issue a subpoena that asks you to produce evidence that it believes is relevant to an open federal investigation. Grand jury subpoenas are also used to mandate a person's presence at a grand jury proceeding. Providing evidence, either through documents, video, bank records or live testimony increases the risk of federal prosecutors discovering something that can result in an additional investigation. Therefore, if you receive a grand jury subpoena, it is important that you do not speak with prosecutors until you consult with a dedicated California federal criminal defense attorney.

What should I do if I'm indicted?

If you recently learned that you have been indicted on federal criminal charges, you have everything to lose. What's worse, the federal prosecutors assigned to your case have already built a case against you and presented it to a grand jury, which found that there was probable cause to believe you committed the offenses in question. Given this reality, the first step you should take after you find out you are indicted is to secure the assistance of a California federal criminal defense attorney. Your attorney can assist you in understanding the nature of the government's allegations and work with you to create a compelling defense to the charges.

Tyler, TX Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys

Attorney Nick Oberheiden
Tyler Federal Criminal Defense
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Contact Nick

Texas meeting location – by appointment only: We do NOT accept mail or service at this location.
440 Louisiana St #200
Houston, TX 77002
713-597-3388

We all make mistakes. Unfortunately, simple errors in judgment can open the door to criminal prosecution, often when the defendants least expect it. Prosecutors are constantly on the prowl for suspects that they can charge with crimes — sometimes with an “as many charges as possible” attitude.

That’s unfortunate because it encourages sloppy police work, sometimes unfounded accusations, and ruined lives.

Police make mistakes too. Those errors often lead to misidentified suspects, misleading evidence, and prosecutorial overreach. It’s inexcusable, but it happens with surprising regularity.

You may find yourself facing criminal suspicion yourself. If so, these are some of the scariest days of your life. You do not have to face them alone. There may very well be hope in the face of criminal prosecution.

At Oberheiden, P.C., we offer compassionate and aggressive legal representation for the people of Tyler, TX and beyond — including the rest of Texas and the entire country.

We represent individuals facing Texas criminal charges and the same is true of our experience with federal law, which often intersects and overlaps with the Texas state criminal code in the course of any given criminal case.

If you are facing criminal charges in Texas or believe you may currently be under investigation, please get in touch with our office right away. Our criminal defense attorneys can take immediate action to protect your rights.

Our mission is clear: end an investigation or seek to have the charges dropped and protect your freedom. Dismissal is always our goal. Contact us today.

Experienced and Aggressive Criminal Defense for Tyler, Texas

With a population of more than a quarter-million people, Tyler, TX has emerged as a major metropolitan center all its own in recent years, establishing itself as a significant draw in northeast Texas. With this new growth, the city has seen a simultaneous rise in criminal prosecution.

In addition to a bustling residential population, Tyler is home to a number of major employers, educational institutions, and tourist attractions, including several large-scale annual conventions.

Accordingly, we see prosecutions in and around Tyler that range from blue-collar crime to white-collar crime, including fraud allegations, drug crimes, Internet crimes, and beyond. Our criminal defense lawyers can assist with these and other charges.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice maintains a heavy presence in the city and its surrounding suburbs, often aided in their efforts by federal investigators and special agents. They have a reputation for aggressive policing, which sometimes leads to unfounded investigations, unfair allegations, and unlawful arrests.

While most police officers are decent, hardworking people, they nevertheless make mistakes. The same is true of the prosecutors at the state and federal level, who may overreach and drag innocent people through the mud along the way.

The people of Tyler need an ally on their side. Our criminal defense attorneys work with a network of invaluable professionals, including former FBI agents, federal prosecutors, forensic accountants, and more. We strive to be courtroom warriors and we are ready to fight for you.

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 Practice Areas

As federal criminal defense lawyers, we are prepared to defend against a wide range of state and/or federal criminal charges. Our practice areas include:

Drug and alcohol charges (possession, distribution, manufacturing, DUI, conspiracy, and more)
Drug trafficking (state and/or federal)
Fraud and theft charges (including identify theft, wire fraud, etc.)
Money laundering
Bank fraud / white-collar crime (including check fraud, forgery, etc.)
Tax violations (tax evasion, tax fraud, IRS investigations, etc.)
Embezzlement
Internet crimes

Answers to Questions Asked by Tyler, Texas Federal Criminal Defense Clients

What should I do if the FBI shows up at my house?

If the FBI unexpectedly (or expectedly) shows up at your home or place of business, it is imperative that you do not speak with agents any more than necessary. If they have a warrant, ask to verify its existence, double-checking that they have the correct address. If it checks out, you should let them side, otherwise, they could force their way in. However, if they do not have a warrant do not let them in and politely tell them that you are not interested in speaking with them. They should then leave. Once they do, depending on what they think your role is in their investigation, that isn’t necessarily the last you’ll see them. To protect yourself, it is important that you reach out to a dedicated Tyler, Texas federal criminal defense attorney to learn more about the FBI’s investigation and what steps you can take to limit their investigation.

When does the federal government bring criminal charges instead of the state?

Federal prosecutors are charged with bringing criminal cases in federal court for any violation of federal law. However, certain crimes fall under both state and federal law. State prosecutors will typically handle the majority of these cases; however, when a case is especially serious, newsworthy, or complex, the federal government may pick up the case. For those facing federal charges, the fact that the case is in federal court is an indication that the offense is believed to be a serious one. If you’ve been indicted or believe you are under investigation for a federal crime, protect yourself by reaching out to a dedicated Texas federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

When should I contact a Tyler federal criminal defense attorney?

You should contact a Tyler, TX attorney immediately. Federal prosecutors already have an advantage in that they have the chance to conduct an in-depth investigation without your knowledge. In most instances, the federal prosecutor assigned to the case will have already presented their case to a grand jury, which found probable cause to believe you committed the offenses in question by the time you learn that you are facing federal charges. However, this doesn’t mean that the situation is hopeless. Whether you are currently facing federal charges or believe you are under investigation, a highly skilled and experienced Texas federal criminal defense attorney can advise you of your options, what is at stake, and the best possible next steps.

Should I try to negotiate a plea agreement or take the case to trial?

Most experienced Tyler, TX federal criminal defense attorneys will tell you that the vast majority of defendants enter into plea negotiations far too soon. So, while a plea agreement is always an option, it should never be the first option. This is because a defendant gives all the negotiating power to federal prosecutors the moment they open the door to pleading guilty. A better approach is to find a Texas federal criminal defense attorney who can conduct a deep-dive into the government’s case, looking for any signs of weakness. These weaknesses can later justify a prosecutor offering a far better plea agreement. If you have a case in federal court, contact an experienced Tyler, Texas federal criminal defense attorney to discuss your case.

Talk to Our Tyler Criminal Defense Attorneys Today

Any criminal charge is a serious criminal charge. Defendants are often shocked to learn that their cases are more complicated, the prosecutors more powerful, and the penalties more severe than they ever imagined.

Timing, experience, and strategy may mean everything. Our criminal defense attorneys strive to implement strategies that are designed to achieve an outright dismissal for Texans facing criminal charges.

Our services extend to residents throughout all of Smith County, Texas, including:

Arp
Bullard
Hideaway
Lindale
New Chapel Hill
Noonday
Overton
Tyler
Troup
Whitehouse
Winona

We are proud to offer free case reviews, so please don’t hesitate to call us and ask for answers. There is no cost or obligation. Contact the criminal defense attorneys at Oberheiden, P.C. right away.