This is the next article in my series on federal charges brought in Peoria or Urbana, Illinois. My last post discussed handling federal financial or fraud charges. Many individuals are often surprised to learn the extent to which such matters fall under the purview of the federal government. It is important to understand, however, that failing to mount a proper defense can result in a lengthy prison sentence. Retaining a qualified attorney is an important step towards mounting such a defense. In this article, I will be discussing charges in the Central District of Illinois which involve sex trafficking. If you require assistance then contact my office today to speak with a criminal defense lawyer.
Sex-related offenses are aggressively pursued by federal prosecutors and Judges often show little leniency to those who face such charges. Federal charges involving sex trafficking often involve transporting an individual across state lines, using federal communication methods to further the act, or victimizing those from other countries. There are a number of ways in which an individual may be arrested. Victims of the offense may come forward, the perpetrator(s) may be the subject of a “sting” operation, or a tip may be received from witnesses. Once law enforcement has completed their investigation then they will refer the matter to the prosecutor, who then typically gains an Indictment from the Grand Jury. If an individual is “caught in the act,” as would be the case in a sting operation, then the suspect will likely be arrested before the indictment is sought.
Once an individual is arraigned, then a trial date will be set. These types of matters will revolve around the level of evidence which the prosecution possesses. In some instances, these types of matters may be a “he said – she said” situation in which one may argue the evidence is false. In many matters, however, the prosecution will possess financial records, voice recordings, and text messages which incriminate the defendant. If any such evidence is gathered in violation of the Fourth Amendment, then it may be possible to exclude it from the Court’s proceedings. In many situations, however, this evidence will have been collected from other sources from which the defendant will have no Fourth Amendment protections.
How to best defend a matter will always depend on the specifics of the case. Even if an acquittal is not possible, by raising all possible issues a defense attorney may be able to reach a more favorable resolution with the prosecution. Counsel will give you an honest assessment of the situation and inform you of what they believe is your best option. When selecting a representative, it is important to remember that not all attorneys are licensed in Federal Court. Moreover, even fewer will have handled a federal case of this nature. When selecting a representative, it is important to inquire about their prior experience.
I am a former prosecutor who devotes his practice to defending the rights of the accused. If you or a loved one have been charged with a sex offense, then contact my office today to speak with a federal defense lawyer. I am licensed in the Central District of Illinois and my firm handles matters in both Peoria and Urbana. I believe that everyone is entitled to both quality representation and respect. Contact my firm online or by telephone today. I look forward to speaking with you.