Baton Rouge Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Former Veteran Federal Prosecutors Protecting Your Rights

When you face federal crime allegations, you want a Baton Rouge federal criminal defense lawyer who has the knowledge and resources to go head-to-head with the federal government and their extensive resources. Founded by former veteran federal prosecutors with over 100 years of combined legal experience, the law offices of Hymel Davis & Petersen defends clients accused of federal crimes. We are a boutique law firm focused on providing federal criminal defense and complex litigation representation for clients in the state of Louisiana and nationwide.

Our federal criminal lawyers, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, put extensive trial experience, a full array of legal resources, and comprehensive knowledge of the law to work for you. Contact us today.

Meeting the Needs of Federal Criminal Defense Clients

With an emphasis on providing federal criminal defense for complex white collar crimes, our legal team is comprised of highly experienced and informed defense lawyers, backed by countless hours of courtroom experience. Our dedication to our defense practice is recognized by the legal community: our law firm is AV-rated* under Martindale-Hubbell’s peer review rating system.

We provide federal criminal defense representation and legal counsel for individuals, corporations, and organizations in matters that include:

• White collar crimes: White collar crimes are serious accusations with dire consequences for both businesses and individuals. As of 2021, it’s estimated that white collar crimes cause losses of anywhere between $426 billion – $1.7 trillion a year. These cases can be difficult to trace due to excessive money movements. In many cases, the accused has no criminal record before the criminal charges.
• Tax fraud: Fraud related to tax reporting can affect both individuals and organizations. This can include lots of different activities, such as hiding certain income or stating greater deductions than you are owed. In serious cases, the IRS can gather evidence for years before officially pressing charges. This can result in financial penalties, criminal penalties, or both.
• Environmental crimes: The Environmental Protection Agency works with other government agencies in cases where environmental laws are violated. These laws are usually related to illegal dumping in certain areas or possessing certain amounts of hazardous waste. Due to the sheer scale of these allegations, they tend to be placed on companies as a whole or their executives.
• Healthcare fraud: One of the most common forms of healthcare fraud is billing fraud, which comprises 22% of occupational fraud, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. In healthcare, this manifests as bills for services that were not provided or that were coded in a way that gives the healthcare provider more money. Federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid are often involved.
• Insurance fraud: Some people think that faking accidents can lead to insurance payouts, but these schemes often draw the attention of federal agencies. It is common for insurance companies that are skeptical of certain claims or individuals to report them to the federal government. If convicted, individuals might have to pay back some of the money they defrauded.
• Internal (corporate) investigations: If a company has internal issues, it might hire legal counsel to look into them. These issues could be a result of simple miscommunication or a lack of proper training. However, they could also be caused by employee corruption or by an outside source. Working with legal professionals can help determine what the company should do next if it discovers fraud to reduce liability.

We handle all of our federal criminal defense cases in an efficient and discreet manner.

Why Timing Matters

The early stages of a federal case can determine a lot about its outcome. Even if a case is being built against an individual for months or years, the person might not even know it’s happening. The earlier you get a legal team involved, the more room you may have to solve the issue before charges are filed or to reduce the criminal charges you are accused of.

Federal agencies can move quickly, especially if they suspect a crime is involved. These updates are kept hidden from the public until there is enough evidence. Once the charges are announced, your options are more limited for changing the outcome of your situation. Even if you are still charged, hiring a legal representative early can improve how the evidence is presented or the overall case is resolved.

Building a Strong Defense

A strong defense needs to be paired with a clear plan. Some cases have years of evidence stacked against a person, which takes time for an attorney to work through. If it was collected in a questionable manner, it might be able to be disputed. They can also review the case for weak points to lean into.

Working with an attorney also allows you to work with other professionals who could help your case. Accountants and other professionals can test certain claims to limit the damage done.

For white collar cases, it can help if an individual is able to prove that they did not know the crime was happening or that they did not intend to commit it. In fraud cases, it has to be proven that someone knew what they were doing and was trying to break the law.

Some cases allow for plea negotiations, but this depends on the strength of the defense. Most cases don’t go to trial, so it’s important to prepare ahead of time to control the potential penalties associated with a negotiation.

Call Hymel Davis & Petersen at 225-298-8118

Federal criminal defense can be a complicated area of law which requires an understanding of criminal law, federal criminal procedure, and the federal sentencing guidelines. Backed by the extensive experience of veteran federal prosecutors and with the resources to represent clients nationwide, the law firm of Hymel Davis & Petersen is positioned to provide informed and effective defense for individuals and organizations who are being investigated or prosecuted by federal agencies.

To schedule a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers, contact us online or by phone today.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.

FAQs

Respond to Every Move

Based on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 2024 Report, businesses that are exposed to fraud lose 5% of their annual revenue on average. Federal crimes are extremely serious, and so is defending yourself against false claims. If you have been contacted by a federal agency, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with Hymel Davis & Petersen to start crafting a defense as soon as possible.