Illinois Fraud Defense Lawyer · Chicago Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
The law office of John M. Beal is a well-established criminal defense law firm that represents individuals in grand jury investigations, trials, sentencings and appeals, as well as forfeiture proceedings in federal district courts. Attorney John Beal has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in complex criminal law cases involving financial fraud and white collar crime, narcotics and weapons charges and immigration offenses.
Complex Analysis · Diligent Advocacy · Vigorous Representation
Federal criminal justice matters often involve complex financial evidence and details. Prior to bringing charges, federal prosecutors often spend months or even years interviewing potential witnesses and gathering records. In many federal cases, there are many individuals charged in a single case. Analyzing the complexity of evidence and determining the appropriate defense strategy to fight for a reduction of charges or an acquittal in court requires professional knowledge and experience. Mr. Beal has more than 20 years of experience working with federal court judges, prosecutors and procedures. His law firm has earned a reputation among legal professionals throughout the Illinois tri-state region for protecting clients' rights at every phase of the process.
Contact the law office of John M. Beal to discuss your specific federal court needs, including:
- Grand jury investigations: If you have received a letter informing you that you are the target of a grand jury investigation, you should seek legal representation immediately. Your best opportunity for an effective defense is before an indictment has been brought. .
- After arrest or indictment: If you are charged in Federal court, your lawyer must promptly take several steps to protect your rights. First, he must thoroughly investigate and analyze your case. He must obtain all information available about the case from you, from the government, and from third parties. Obtaining information from the government is called "discovery."
- Pre-trial proceedings: Your lawyer must also handle your release on bail and file any pretrial motions that are warranted. For example, in some cases some or all of the charges can be challenged through a motion to dismiss.
- Case strategy: Once the facts of your case are developed, you and your lawyer must carefully and realistically assess the strength of your possible defenses. Then you can make an informed decision about whether to go to trial or to negotiate a guilty plea. The harsh reality is that a loss at trial can result in a much more severe sentence than a skillfully negotiated guilty plea. John Beal has extensive experience analyzing details and evidence and has a successful record of negotiating and advocating for a reduction of charges or a favorable plea agreement.
- Trial: Mr. Beal is recognized as a skilled, knowledgeable and experienced trial attorney with the capacity to present complex evidence clearly. He has conducted Federal court jury trials lasting as long as four and five months.
- Sentencing: The sentencing phase of federal criminal cases is often more complex than the initial court trial. First, the applicable Federal Sentencing Guideline for a defendant is calculated, which produces a recommended sentence. Now this recommended sentence is only advisory for the judge. The judge has broad authority to impose a sentence that is higher or lower. This means that you and your lawyer must work together to prepare a written sentencing memorandum and then an oral presentation by the lawyer at the sentencing hearing. This means that your lawyer must be intimately familiar with both the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the law that judges now must follow in exercising their new authority. And he must also know that practices and preferences of the individual judges. Mr. Beal has an in-depth knowledge of the federal sentencing laws and guidelines and how judges approach their sentencing decisions.
- Forfeiture: RICO (Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations Act) charges, narcotics charges and other federal court cases often involve an additional phase to determine the federal government's right to forfeit property related to the federal offense. Mr. Beal advocates vigorously to protect the rights of individuals who face losing their money and property.
- Appeals: Judges, juries and prosecutors don't always make the right decisions. Mr. Beal has more than two decades of experience representing individuals seeking to appeal a conviction, sentencing or forfeiture decision in federal courts.
Federal Drug Crimes · Fraud · RICO Charges · Immigration Charges · Bank Theft
Chicago federal criminal defense lawyer John M. Beal represents clients in federal district courts and federal courts of appeals. He is also a member of the bar of the District of Columbia. Contact the law office of John M. Beal to discuss your federal criminal case today.
