Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Federal prosecutors, officially called Assistant U.S. Attorneys, weigh the strength of the evidence and the resources a case would need before moving forward. They often have more resources than state prosecutors. Still, the federal government bears the burden of proof in federal felony prosecutions, which means prosecutors have to prove their case against you, not the other way around. [U.S. Courts] A federal criminal lawyer who understands federal court procedures can tell you what you’re up against. Getting one involved early, before the investigation wraps up, can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.

Federal criminal cases begin with an investigation stage, often led by federal law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, DEA, or IRS Criminal Investigation. A federal criminal investigation can run for months before anyone is arrested. Our federal defense lawyers can step in during this stage to offer pre-charging representation that protects your constitutional rights, and in some cases, present information to the U.S. Attorney’s Office that helps avoid charges altogether. The government also offers pretrial diversion for lower-risk, first-time offenders, which means prosecution can be avoided entirely in the right circumstances. [U.S. Department of Justice]

Federal prosecutors often bring federal criminal charges by way of a grand jury indictment rather than a simple police report. A federal grand jury reviews the evidence gathered during an investigation and decides whether probable cause exists, which means an indictment can happen without your side of the story being heard first. [U.S. Courts] A subpoena can mean you’re a witness, a subject, or already a target. If you receive one, or a target letter, talk to one of our federal defense lawyers before you respond, testify, or turn over documents.

Federal law enforcement agents generally have the right to execute a valid search warrant. You don’t have to answer their questions, though. [Fed. R. Crim. P. 41] You have the right to remain silent, and anything you say can end up in the case against you. Ask to see the warrant, get the agents’ names, and call one of our federal defense lawyers before you say anything else.

Federal cases follow federal rules of criminal procedure and evidence, and they tend to be more complex than state cases, often involving more evidence than a typical state case. Many state crimes and federal offenses overlap, so whether a case belongs in state court or federal court depends on which law was broken and which agency investigated it. It is possible to face both state and federal charges for the same conduct, which means your defense strategy has to account for both systems at once. [U.S. Department of Justice] Crimes that cross state lines, or that use a federal agency such as the U.S. Postal Service for illegal purposes, typically end up in federal court instead of state court.

Yes, health care fraud is a common type of federal crime, and Medicare and Medicaid billing cases make up a large share of federal healthcare fraud prosecutions nationwide. The Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals. The cases involved more than $6.5 billion in false claims obtained under fraudulent pretenses. [U.S. Department of Justice] The average federal sentence for health care fraud in fiscal year 2025 was 21 months, which means a conviction can mean real prison time, not just a fine. [U.S. Sentencing Commission]

Most federal criminal matters end in a plea agreement rather than a trial verdict. More than 90 percent of federal defendants plead guilty rather than go to trial, which means the real fight usually happens in the negotiation, not in front of a jury. [U.S. Courts] The terms of that agreement, including what you plead to and what the government recommends at sentencing, can matter as much as the outcome at a federal trial would. The leverage in that negotiation depends heavily on the work our federal defense lawyers do before the agreement gets offered.

Federal sentencing uses the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which factor in all conduct connected to the offense, not just the count you’re convicted of. [U.S. Sentencing Commission] A presentence investigation report is required in most federal cases before sentencing, and it’s used to calculate your offense level and guideline range. [Fed. R. Crim. P. 32] Judges usually sentence within that calculated range, though they can depart from it with a written reason. Penalties range from probation to federal prison, and repeat conduct, large losses, or firearms tend to draw more severe penalties, which means your history and the offense details matter too. [U.S. Sentencing Commission] Federal appeals are possible after sentencing. In most cases, you must file a notice of appeal within 14 days of the judgment, so acting quickly can help you protect that right. [Fed. R. App. P. 4(b)]