Federal Crimes – Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA
Aggressive Defense Against Federal Charges in Pennsylvania
If you’re under investigation or facing charges for a federal crime, your freedom, finances, and future are at serious risk. Federal cases are prosecuted by U.S. Attorneys with vast resources and often involve multi-agency investigations. Penalties are typically much harsher than those at the state level, and convictions often carry mandatory minimum sentences.
At the Law Office of Mark D. Hauser, we bring over 30 years of criminal defense experience to representing individuals charged with serious federal crimes in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania. We know how to take on the federal government — and we fight to protect your rights every step of the way.
Common Federal Charges We Defend
Below are five of the most serious and frequently charged federal offenses in Pennsylvania and across the U.S.:
1. Federal Drug Trafficking
Federal drug trafficking charges typically involve the transport, distribution, or sale of controlled substances across state or national borders. These cases often trigger mandatory minimum sentences based on the type and quantity of drugs involved.
Common substances include:
Cocaine
Heroin
Methamphetamine
Fentanyl
Prescription opioids
Marijuana (in large quantities)
You can face 10+ years to life in prison, even for a first offense, depending on the drug type and amount. Aggravating factors like firearms, prior convictions, or drug-related death can enhance penalties.
2. Federal Conspiracy to Distribute Charges
Conspiracy charges are among the most common tools used by federal prosecutors. You can be charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs even if you never handled the drugs yourself.
To prove conspiracy, the government must show:
An agreement between two or more people to break federal drug laws
Knowledge of the illegal goal
At least one overt act to further the conspiracy
These charges are dangerous because they allow prosecutors to sweep in multiple defendants and hold all members liable for the actions of others in the group.
3. Federal Mail or Wire Fraud Charges
Mail and wire fraud involve using communication systems (mail, phone, email, text, or internet) to carry out a scheme to defraud someone of money or property.
Common examples include:
Business scams
Charity or investment fraud
Online sales fraud
Government benefit fraud (like COVID relief programs)
Romance or identity-based schemes
Convictions carry penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison, and longer if a financial institution is involved. Many of these cases also result in asset forfeiture and restitution.
4. Federal Methamphetamine Manufacturing Defense
The federal government aggressively prosecutes anyone suspected of producing or attempting to produce methamphetamine, especially in large-scale or hazardous settings.
Charges may include:
Possession of precursors (like pseudoephedrine or anhydrous ammonia)
Operating or assisting in a meth lab
Manufacturing near children or schools (which adds years to a sentence)
Meth manufacturing is prosecuted as a Felony 1, often triggering 10–20 years to life in prison, plus property seizure and mandatory supervised release.
5. Federal Money Laundering
Money laundering involves taking money obtained from illegal activities and attempting to make it appear legitimate through a series of financial transactions.
Examples include:
Transferring drug proceeds through shell companies
Using wire transfers to disguise origin of funds
Buying real estate or vehicles with illicit cash
Structuring deposits to avoid IRS reporting limits
Convictions for money laundering can result in up to 20 years in federal prison, steep fines, and forfeiture of all assets involved.
Why Federal Charges Require a Skilled Defense Attorney
Federal cases are different from state-level charges in several ways:
Investigations are led by agencies like the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, or Homeland Security
Prosecutors have more time and resources to build a case
Mandatory minimum sentences and federal sentencing guidelines reduce flexibility
Pre-trial detention and federal grand juries are more common
Conviction rates are extremely high without strong legal representation
At Mark D. Hauser’s law office, we take immediate action to:
Challenge the legality of searches, wiretaps, and warrants
Suppress unlawfully obtained evidence
Negotiate with federal prosecutors for favorable outcomes
Fight for bail and release conditions
Prepare aggressively for trial, if needed
Serving Clients Facing Federal Charges in Philadelphia and Beyond
Whether you’re under federal investigation, have been indicted, or are already scheduled for arraignment, you need a federal defense attorney with experience, strategy, and courtroom skill. We serve clients throughout Philadelphia, the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and surrounding counties.
Don’t Face Federal Charges Alone
Federal charges carry life-altering consequences. You need a defense lawyer who understands the system and knows how to fight back.
📞 Contact Mark D. Hauser, criminal defense attorney, today for a confidential case evaluation.