5 Top Reasons to Hire a Federal Gun Lawyer in Austin

December 7, 2023

Most states in the U.S. have criminal laws that impose restrictions on the possession, use, sale, carrying, manufacturing, importing and exporting of deadly weapons, many of which are specific to firearms. The federal government has its own laws that prohibit the importing, manufacturing, and distribution of firearms and that ban certain firearms altogether, including machine guns and semiautomatic assault weapons. Federal law also prohibits the sale of some firearms to certain restricted classes of people, such as convicted felons and juveniles. Any violation of federal firearm laws can lead to criminal charges filed in federal court, which require the expertise of a seasoned federal gun lawyer. If you or someone you love has been charged with a federal gun crime in Austin, contact our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys today for legal help.

1. You may be able to minimize the criminal penalties associated with a federal gun charge.

Any criminal conviction can result in serious, life-altering penalties. However, while defendants charged in state court may be able to avoid serving time for a gun charge, a conviction for a gun crime at the federal level will almost certainly result in imprisonment, even for a first offense. In fact, many federal gun crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences of at least five or 10 years in federal prison. Under 18 U.S. Code § 924(c) of the United States Code, a person convicted of using or carrying a gun while committing a violent crime or drug trafficking crime faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five, seven, 10 or more years, in addition to the prison sentence imposed for the underlying criminal offense.

The prison sentence associated with a federal gun crime will depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the application of any mandatory minimums per the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. In the absence of these mandatory minimums, a skilled defense attorney who understands the law may be able to argue for a reduced sentence based on certain mitigating factors. If you retain legal counsel early enough in your case, it may even be possible to negotiate a reduced criminal charge that carries less severe penalties. When you hire a federal gun lawyer in Austin, you are equipping yourself with an expert who will use every tool at his disposal to minimize the criminal penalties associated with your gun charge.

2. A federal gun lawyer can offer the legal expertise you need in your case.

If you have been accused of violating federal gun laws, you cannot entrust your defense to just any state attorney. The federal court system is vastly different from the state court system, with unique criminal firearm statutes, different rules of procedure, and more complex sentencing guidelines. Only an accomplished federal gun lawyer who has been admitted to practice in federal court and is intimately familiar with the complexities of the United States Code can offer the legal expertise your case demands.

3. You can ensure that your rights and best interests are protected.

The federal justice system is complex and can be difficult to navigate, especially for defendants who have never faced criminal charges in federal court. If you have been charged with a federal gun crime, you should consult a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can protect your rights and ensure that your best interests are served at every stage of your case. No two federal gun cases are the same, and you need an experienced attorney on your side with a proven record of success in beating federal firearm charges.

4. You may be able to negotiate a favorable plea deal.

In some federal gun cases, going to trial just isn’t going to end well. If there is a plea deal on the table, negotiating with the prosecution may be the only way to get a reduced sentence.

An experienced federal gun lawyer in Austin can help you weigh your legal options and determine whether going to trial or negotiating a plea deal will give you the best possible outcome in your case. The earlier you begin the negotiation process, the better, so we recommend reaching out to a defense attorney the moment you are contacted by anyone from federal law enforcement.

5. A federal gun lawyer can help you formulate the strongest possible defense.

One of the first questions you should ask before choosing a defense attorney to represent you is how much experience they have defending clients against federal gun charges. Just like in state court, any person charged with a crime in federal court is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the prosecution must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to get a conviction. If you hope to win at trial, you will need a proficient criminal defense attorney on your side who specializes in federal gun cases and can provide the strongest possible defense aimed at raising doubt about your guilt in the minds of the judge and jury. Some possible defenses against federal gun charges include:

  • Illegal search and seizure
  • Mistaken identity
  • Alibi
  • Improper questioning by law enforcement officers and investigators
  • Miranda violations

How Our Federal Gun Lawyers in Austin Can Help

Federal gun laws are strict, and the penalties associated with a firearm conviction at the federal level can be severe. For firearm violations, penalties can include imprisonment in a federal prison for 30 or more years, depending on the nature and severity of the offense. And because the Federal Sentencing Guidelines dictate that criminal defendants convicted in federal court must serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release from prison, many convicted offenders end up serving long sentences. Our federal defense attorneys have assisted many clients in challenging gun charges in federal court, and we can help you establish the strongest possible legal defense based on your specific charges. Arming yourself with a tenacious criminal defense attorney is the best chance you have at beating a gun-related criminal charge like possession or use of a gun during the commission of a violent crime or drug trafficking crime, illegal possession of a machine gun, or felon in possession of a firearm, so don’t hesitate to call our firm if you have been accused of violating one or more federal firearm laws.

Schedule a Consultation to Discuss Your Federal Gun Charges

If you have been charged with a federal gun crime in Austin, it is vitally important that you retain a skilled attorney who can advise you of all of the options available to you under the law for resolving your criminal case. Experience matters when you are facing federal gun charges, so don’t wait to call. We offer prospective clients a free confidential case evaluation, which means you can review your case with an experienced federal defense attorney, discuss your legal options, and go over possible defense strategies, with no obligation to hire our firm. Call us today to schedule your risk-free consultation and take the first step toward getting your life back on track.

How to Contact Our Skilled Federal Gun Lawyers

A federal criminal indictment for a gun-related offense is an extremely serious matter, but we are here to help. When you choose our firm, we will guide you through every stage of your criminal case, ensuring that you understand the charges against you, the penalties you could face if you are convicted, and the options you have for resolving your case, whether that means going to trial or negotiating a plea deal. Our federal gun lawyers in Austin are well-versed in the complexities of federal firearm laws and we have the skill and expertise necessary to help you obtain the best possible result in your case. Call us today at (888) 901-2111 for qualified legal help.

Daniel Perlman
CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY

Daniel R. Perlman, the founding attorney at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, leverages his extensive background as a former prosecutor to provide superior defense strategies for clients across federal courtrooms. Earning his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law, he first honed his legal skills with the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. 

This diverse experience enables him to advocate effectively, understanding prosecution tactics intimately, which he expertly counters in defense of his clients. With a profound commitment to justice, Daniel leads his team in tackling complex federal cases, from white-collar crimes to violent offenses, ensuring the highest level of defense through every phase of the criminal process.

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