Strom Law Firm Columbia SC
No obligations & no credit card required

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Our Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Can Help

Founded by the former U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, Pete Strom, the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. includes a former public defender and a tax lawyer familiar with I.R.S. investigations. Our team of Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers, paralegals, investigators, and clerks has been carefully assembled to create the best possible mix of experience, passion, and knowledge. And we work with top investigators, forensic experts, consultants, and professional researchers to assemble a robust and thorough defense on your behalf.

An arrest puts your rights, your freedom, your family, and your livelihood at stake. If you are facing charges for federal crimes, the federal criminal defense lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., will fight to protect your rights and your personal and professional future. Our firm, centrally located in Columbia, South Carolina, has been serving clients for over 30 years, and our extensive experience and familiarity with federal law and prosecutorial techniques means you’ll get practical and vigorous legal representation.

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Getting Arrested Does Not Mean You Are Guilty

Being arrested or investigated for a federal crime does not mean that you are guilty or that you have no rights. An experienced criminal defense attorney will fight for your rights and work to have your charges reduced or even dismissed. Contact the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., for a no-cost consultation to discuss your case and see how our experience and knowledge of the system can help you.

The Federal Crimes We Handle

Our Federal Criminal defense lawyers are here to help. We handleย  all federal crimes and offenses, including:

What To Expect When Facing Federal Criminal Charges

Regardless of the federal crimes you’ve been charged with, this is no doubt a difficult and possibly overwhelming time in your life. The first and most important step is to obtain legal representation as soon as possible. Find a lawyer you trust who is well-versed in federal law so they can explain your situation. This is a brief overview of what you can expect in a federal case:

Grand Jury Investigations

If you are the subject of an investigation or have been summoned before a grand jury, your Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers will investigate the potential charges against you and advise you on the best course of action to take during the investigation.

If You Are Arrested for a Federal Crime

If a U.S. magistrate has issued an arrest warrant or if a grand jury has returned with an indictment, you may be placed under arrest and given a date for an initial appearance before a judge, which must occur within 72 hours of arrest. At this appearance, you, the Defendant, will be given notice of the charges, notified of your rights, and the bond will be set. In some cases, you may be released at this point. In other cases, the judge may assess the danger to the community or a flight risk and hold you in custody until trial. The next phase is an arraignment where a plea will be entered before the judge.

Plea Bargains in a Federal Criminal Case

After a thorough review of your case and federal charges, a plea agreement may be reached between the government and the Defendant, where a Defendant agrees to forego a trial by entering a guilty plea pursuant to a written plea agreement.

Some common plea bargains in federal cases are:

  • agree to dismiss some charges in return for a guilty plea for others
  • agree to stipulations regarding sentencing factors
  • agree and disregard whether certain enhancements apply
  • agree to recommend certain sentences
  • agree to the forfeiture of assets
  • may agree to recommend a different sentence from what is calculated

Pre-Trial

Pre-trial proceedings in federal court are very often complex. Discovery is the process by which the Defendant and the government demand information and material from the other party, which can include investigative reports, statements by witnesses, financial records, and lab reports. This is a cumbersome process that can involve thousands of pages of documents. When you hire the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., we will review each document with you and work with you to determine the best strategy for your case. Proper representation during this stage of the case is of critical importance.

Federal Trial

To find you guilty at trial, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt each element of the criminal charge or charges against you. Your lawyer will work tirelessly and make sure you have the most effective defense possible by using all available resources. Our team of federal Criminal Defense Lawyers has the experience of working with the top investigators, forensic experts, consultants, and professional researchers to help clients prepare and present their defense.

What Determines a Sentence If Convicted

If you plead guilty or are found guilty, the court will schedule a sentencing hearing. Prior to your sentencing hearing, the court will order that a Presentence Investigation take place. The Office of U.S. Probation will then prepare a report, a Presentence Investigation Report (P.S.R.), where a probation officer will detail any aggravating and mitigating factors present in the case.ย  Most reports contain the offender’s prior criminal record, personal characteristics, financial background, and social history, as well as information regarding the effect of the crime on the victim.

During the sentencing process, the judge will take into consideration the P.S.R. A federal judge or magistrate will also consider the sentencing guidelines established by the United States Sentencing Commission, which dictate a uniform sentencing policy for individuals and organizations convicted of federal crimes. These sentencing guidelines will be used to determine your sentence. Additionally, during this process, character witnesses acting on the Defendant’s behalf, as well as victim statements, will be presented to the judge for review.

Penalties for Federal Crime

If convicted, penalties for federal offenses can include:

  • Prison time in federal prison, controlled by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons (B.O.P.)
  • Probation
  • House Arrest
  • Split Sentence (a combination of prison, house arrest, and/or probation)
  • Fines

If you are sentenced to prison time, you will be ordered to serve your time in any federal prison in the United States. The Bureau of Prisons and the court can not guarantee that placement of the Defendant will be close to their home state, and many factors play into the placement of Defendants.

Such factors include:

  • the offense of conviction
  • your prior record
  • length of sentence
  • available bed space
  • the need for drug treatment or educational services
  • the need for protection

It’s important to note that parole has been abolished in the federal system. If sentenced to prison, you can expect to serve at least 85% of your sentence. Sentences of imprisonment usually begin immediately, although, in some circumstances, the convicted will start their sentence at a later date.

An Arrest Puts Your Rights, Your Freedom, Your Family, and Your Livelihood at Stake

Call today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case with our federal criminal defense lawyers. We have the experience and background necessary to provide aggressive legal representation that can help you avoid jail time and other criminal penalties. The federal criminal defense lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C., will fight to protect your rights and your personal and professional future.

Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

How this works

Step 1 - Welcome
In this step, you'll experience a warm welcome as you enter the Strom Law Firm.
1
Step 2 - Initial Meeting
You'll meet with professionals. They will go through the facts of your case, explain the entire process.
2
Step 3 - Preparations
We builds your case by interviewing witnesses, conducting legal research, drafting pleadings, and hiring experts.
3
Step 4 - Trial
You'll learn that the firm is trial-ready. They've been preparing since day one and will guide you through the process.
4
Step 5 - Resolution
your case concludes with the firm hoping for a positive outcome. They assure enduring friendships and a commitment to being there for you, regardless of future legal needs.
5
No obligations & no credit card required

STROM LAW IS...

0 +
years combined
legal experience
0 +
awards &
accredetations
0
Founded
in
0
years
in business

What Our Clients Say

They truly care
Mrs Vallery, who answered the phone took more care and attention to detail than any other law office, that I have called, in 2 years+. She diligently took notes to give to the lawyers and cared about my situation and let me actually tell everything without cutting me short. Out of over 100 law offices, this is rare treatment. Care. Consideration. That means more than anything going through this…
Anonymous
google-logo
Professional Representation, Satisfying Legal Outcome!
My wife and I retained Bakari Sellers to represent our son in a case in Richland County. We found Mr. Sellers, his assistant Stephanie, and the rest of the staff at Strom, extremely courteous and professional. We really appreciated Mr. Sellers’ straightforward and honest approach. We believe this is a very competent law firm, and are satisfied with the legal outcome they achieved. We would highly recommend them!
Bryan B.
google-logo
Exceptional Legal Team After Our Car Accident!
We retained Atty Jessica Fickling to help us after a terrible car accident. She and her paralegal Mallory were wonderful! Professional, skilled, savvy – we couldnโ€™t have asked for a better legal team. Many thanks!!
Jocelyn C.
google-logo
Strom Law Firm's Consistent Excellence
I have been a client with The Strom Law Firm for thirty years and have been incredibly blessed to have the assurance that they will do everything possible to provide excellent service to my needs. Ally Benevento is exceptional and represents the firm in a professional manner.
Timothy O.
google-logo
From Self-Representation to Victory in SSDI Case!
My experience with Mario and his staff was outstanding. When everyone said to give up my case with SSDI and after being poorly represented and losing. I had to file my own appeals and represent myself. I literally called every attorney in the book. Then I called Mario cold – I expected one more no! Well, this gentleman took my case and won. He knows the law and cares a lot. I am proud to call him my friend. If you need a professional to help you, call these guys.
Robert L.
google-logo
A Pleasure to Work With, Outstanding Case Outcome!
Thanks Olivia, It was a pleasure working with you. You were well prepared and presented our case in a very professional manner. I could not have ask for a better outcome. Working with everyone at the Strom Law Firm has always been a pleasure and I will be happy to recommend your Law Firm to anyone.
Nancy G.
google-logo
A Lifesaver in the Courtroom, Ensuring Freedom with A1 Professionalism
Needed a lifesaver. I had gotten myself into a bad situation and the possibility of going to prison. Through the diligence and hard work done by attorney Alley B., I was able to walk out of that courtroom a free man. No tricks just hard down attorney work. She was an A1 professional and knew every inch of the Law pertaining to my case. For that, I am forever grateful.
Anonymous
google-logo
A Winning Team at Strom Law Firm!
John Alphin was great. We basically worked together for 22 months. Bakari Sellers was also on the team and together those 2 guys were fabulous. Won the case and Iโ€™m still a client of Strom law firm. Thank you and awesome law firm.
Steve T.
google-logo
Excellence in Action for Workman's Comp Case!
Strom Law Firm was really great and professional. I had a great experience with Mario as my attorney and his paralegal, Brian. These two are amazing, they worked very hard on my husband’s workman’s comp case and we were very pleased with the services and results ๐Ÿ‘. Brian was so prompt at returning phone calls and getting things ready for the case. I strongly recommend this firm for any of your legal matters. If I had to use you guys again, I would be happy to do so.
Mary W.
google-logo
Mastering Complex Legal Issues with Care and Compassion
Mario Pacella at Strom Law Firm LLC in Brunswick, Georgia, is a masterful, no-nonsense lawyer. His caring and compassionate approach, along with prompt responsiveness, sets him apart. Mario and the firm exhibit exceptional professionalism and attention to detail, emphasizing genuine care for every client.
L. Gilder
google-logo
No obligations & no credit card required

Contact Us For A Free Case Evaluation

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

No obligations & no credit card required

*A consultation fee applies to employment matters