When you’re facing federal criminal charges, everything is on the line—your freedom, your reputation, and your future. Unlike state cases, federal prosecutors don’t make arrests unless they think they can win. They have the full backing of powerful agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS, and ATF, and they’ve likely been building their case for months, if not years.
The federal justice system moves fast, and waiting to “see what happens” is the worst thing you can do. You need a legal team that understands federal law, federal sentencing guidelines, and the aggressive tactics of federal prosecutors. At Botnick Law Firm in Cleveland, we don’t just react—we take the fight to the government, exposing weak evidence, challenging improper procedures, and building a defense designed to get you the best possible outcome.
Your future is worth fighting for. We’re here to protect your rights and help you navigate a system that often feels stacked against you.
Not every criminal charge ends up in federal court, but when it does, you’re facing a system designed for convictions. A federal crime typically falls under U.S. jurisdiction if:
Federal crimes cover a broad range of offenses, but some are prosecuted more aggressively than others. If you’re facing any of these charges, the government is already building its case against you:
Federal investigations move quickly, and taking action early can make all the difference. If you’re under investigation or have been charged, it’s important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible. The sooner you have a federal criminal defense lawyer fighting for you, the better your chances of beating the charges or negotiating a reduced sentence.
I used Robert to help me fight a pretty steep speeding ticket. Robert was able to successfully get my ticket reduced to a 0 point violation and small fine.
We had an excellent experience with Mr. Botnick for a disorderly conduct charge. Very pleasant to work with, professional, and gave us a lot of confidence approaching the case.
I had a great experience with Mr. Botnick. He gave me an honest consultation about my speeding ticket that gave me confidence in his work.
Robert was able to get a fairly hefty traffic violation down to no conviction/no points. He is efficient and professional in his work. I highly recommend him in Northeast Ohio!
Mr. Botnick was very helpful in my time of need and accomplished the results I was honestly hoping to receive. I would certainly recommend reaching out to him if you are in need of help.
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By the time you find out you’re under investigation, federal agencies have likely been gathering evidence against you for months—if not years. They’ve reviewed your financial transactions, pulled your phone records, and possibly even placed surveillance on you. If federal agents show up with a warrant or start asking questions, do not speak to them without a lawyer. Even if you believe you’ve done nothing wrong, anything you say can and will be used against you.
Early legal intervention is critical. If you suspect you’re being investigated, contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately. In some cases, we can step in before charges are even filed and prevent a worst-case scenario.
Most federal cases begin with a grand jury indictment, where prosecutors present evidence behind closed doors—without you or your attorney present. If the grand jury finds probable cause, formal charges are filed, and the case moves forward.
Once charged, you’ll appear in federal court for an arraignment, where you’ll hear the charges against you and enter a plea. Unlike state cases, bail in federal court is not automatic. Federal prosecutors may argue that you are a flight risk or a danger to the community, and in many cases, defendants remain in custody while their case is pending.
A skilled federal defense attorney can fight for bail and help you avoid unnecessary time behind bars before trial.
Federal prosecutors have a high conviction rate because they only bring cases they believe they can win. If your case goes to trial, the government will use expert witnesses, financial records, surveillance footage, and even digital evidence to build their case against you.
If convicted, sentencing follows strict federal sentencing guidelines, which often include mandatory minimum prison sentences. However, an experienced defense attorney can work to reduce charges, negotiate plea deals, and explore alternative sentencing options.
When you’re facing federal charges, you need a defense strategy that challenges the government at every turn. At Botnick Law Firm, we take an aggressive, results-driven approach to protect your rights and secure the best outcome possible. Our strategies include:
Federal charges don’t go away on their own, and the government is already working on its case against you. The question is—who’s fighting for you?
At Botnick Law Firm, we provide aggressive, strategic legal representation to take on federal prosecutors and protect your future. The sooner you act, the more we can do to build your defense.
Call us today for a confidential consultation and take the first step in protecting your freedom.
The process to charge someone that’s been accused of a crime begins with an arrest. If the police have reason to believe that someone has committed a crime, the accused can be taken into custody. Police will usually start by asking basic questions like name and address to identify a person, and then they’ll often pivot to more specific questions related to the incident. At some point during this, you should have been read your “Miranda warnings.”
You have the right to remain silent to avoid disclosing evidence that could potentially be self-incriminating, as well as the right to an attorney to defend you in court. Those are your unwavering rights that must be recited upon taking someone into custody. Take note of when these rights are read to you, as it could be helpful information for your attorney.
When you’ve been taken down to the station, police will fingerprint you and get your photograph to update their records. Once this is done, you should be granted the opportunity to contact your criminal defense lawyer. If you don’t have a lawyer, get a loved one to book a consultation with a lawyer on your behalf. It’s important that you do NOT disclose any details about your case over the phone with your loved ones, as those calls are monitored.
After you’ve made it through the booking process, the police may begin conducting their investigation with you. Depending on the situation, this might include a personal search, collecting samples, interviewing/interrogating, police lineups, etc.
You’ll be held at the station until you can be brought before a judge. The initial court appearance will happen within 48 hours or less of the arrest. Here, the judge will review the case and decide if there’s any reason to keep you in holding or if bail can be granted. If bail is granted, you’re allowed to be released upon certain conditions.
Depending on the seriousness of your allegations, you may have a preliminary hearing at which a judge can determine whether enough evidence exists to charge you with that level of crime. You’ll be able to plead “guilty” or “not guilty.” If you plead not guilty, your case will be sent to trial. You may get the opportunity to enter a plea deal. That’s something your attorney will advise you on.
In the discovery stage, the case against you is made much more transparent. The prosecutor will share the evidence they have against you with your defense attorney. During this time, your attorney can make additional requests for evidence if need be. All of the evidence on the table will be considered, and your lawyer will work with you to form the best plan for your defense.
If a plea deal is unable to be reached, the case will enter trial. During the trial, the prosecutor begins by presenting the case to the jury. They share any evidence they have against you and have witnesses make their statements for the prosecution. This can be tough to sit through. Afterward, it’s your lawyer’s turn to take the stands and share your side of the story. Your lawyer can question the prosecutor’s witnesses and all of the evidence that was used against you. There are many different strategies that your lawyer will use to defend you during the trial.
In a best-case scenario, you will have been found not guilty by the end of the trial, and the charges against you have been dropped. If you are found guilty, the judge must determine what your sentence/penalties will be. The sentencing will happen at another hearing, usually a few weeks after your trial ends.
We have successfully represented clients across Northern Ohio. If you are facing criminal charges, we can help you too. Don’t delay. The district attorney is building their case against you right now.
The Prosecutor will not take your charges lightly — Will you?
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