Federal investigations and prosecutions require immediate, strategic decisions. The government may spend months gathering documents, interviewing witnesses, executing search warrants, and building its case before the accused learns that an investigation exists.
Federal criminal defense attorney Michael J. Petro has more than 35 years of courtroom experience representing individuals facing serious criminal investigations, prosecutions, sentencing proceedings, and appeals. He has served as lead counsel in more than 45 federal jury trials and has handled more than 31 federal appeals.
If federal agents have contacted you, you have received a subpoena or target letter, or you are facing federal criminal charges, contact federal criminal defense attorney Michael J. Petro before speaking with investigators or prosecutors.
Federal Criminal Investigations
A federal criminal case often begins long before an arrest or indictment. A person may first learn about an investigation after receiving a grand jury subpoena, being contacted by an agent, discovering that business associates are being interviewed, or learning that someone is cooperating with the government.
Attorney Petro represents witnesses, subjects, and targets during federal investigations. Early representation allows defense counsel to communicate with investigators and prosecutors, evaluate the client’s potential exposure, respond to subpoenas, preserve favorable evidence, and begin developing a defense before charging decisions are made.
Federal investigations may involve the FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Inspection Service, and other federal law enforcement agencies.
Learn more about Attorney Petro’s federal investigations and grand jury representation.
Federal Trial Experience
Attorney Petro has served as lead counsel in more than 45 federal jury trials that have gone to verdict.
Federal trial preparation requires more than familiarity with courtroom procedure. It requires command of the Federal Rules of Evidence, the ability to expose weaknesses in the government’s proof, and the judgment to present a focused defense to the jury.
Attorney Petro’s federal trial experience includes:
- Cross-examining federal agents and cooperating witnesses
- Challenging expert testimony
- Litigating the admissibility of electronic and financial evidence
- Preparing and arguing motions in limine
- Presenting defense witnesses and exhibits
- Drafting proposed jury instructions
- Delivering opening statements and closing arguments
- Preserving legal issues for appellate review
Every case is prepared based on its evidence, legal issues, and the client’s objectives. When a case cannot be resolved on acceptable terms, Attorney Petro is prepared to take it to trial.
Learn more about Attorney Petro’s federal criminal trial representation.
Motions to Suppress Evidence
Evidence obtained in violation of the Constitution may be excluded from trial. A successful motion to suppress can significantly weaken the government’s case and may result in the dismissal of criminal charges.
Attorney Petro has extensive experience litigating constitutional challenges under the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, including motions involving:
- Unlawful traffic stops
- Searches of homes and businesses
- Vehicle searches
- Cellphone and computer searches
- Search warrants and supporting affidavits
- Title III wiretaps
- Miranda violations
- Involuntary statements
- Eyewitness identifications
- Right to counsel violations
- Government use of protected communications
These motions frequently require evidentiary hearings at which federal agents and other witnesses testify under oath. Effective suppression litigation requires careful factual development, legal research, and focused cross-examination.
Attorney Petro’s recent results include obtaining the dismissal of serious drug charges after filing a motion to suppress challenging an unlawful traffic stop and vehicle search. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
White Collar and Federal Criminal Charges
Attorney Petro represents individuals facing serious federal charges, including:
- Mail fraud and wire fraud
- Bank fraud
- Money laundering
- Embezzlement and theft
- Healthcare fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid fraud
- Tax offenses
- Mortgage fraud
- PPP and SBA loan fraud
- Securities fraud
- Drug trafficking and conspiracy
- Firearm offenses
- Internet and computer crimes
- Public corruption
- Obstruction of justice
- Supervised release violations
Federal cases often involve extensive financial records, electronic communications, search warrants, cooperating witnesses, and allegations spanning months or years. Attorney Petro personally evaluates the evidence, potential defenses, and procedural posture of each case.
Learn more about Attorney Petro’s representation in federal fraud, embezzlement, and theft cases, federal money laundering cases, and other federal criminal cases.
Federal Sentencing and Sentence Reductions
Federal sentencing requires careful analysis of the Presentence Investigation Report, the United States Sentencing Guidelines, statutory sentencing factors, and the government’s evidence.
Attorney Petro represents clients in disputes involving:
- Financial loss calculations
- Drug quantity
- Role adjustments
- Obstruction enhancements
- Acceptance of responsibility
- Relevant conduct
- Criminal history
- Firearm enhancements
- Restitution and forfeiture
- Mandatory minimum sentences
- Substantial assistance
- Sentencing variances
- Resentencing following a successful appeal
Sentencing advocacy must address more than the advisory guideline calculation. The court must also consider the factors under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), the circumstances of the offense, the defendant’s history and characteristics, and the need for a sentence that is sufficient but not greater than necessary.
Learn more about Attorney Petro’s federal sentencing and sentence reduction practice.
Federal Criminal Appeals
Attorney Petro has handled more than 31 federal appeals involving convictions, sentencing errors, evidentiary rulings, constitutional violations, and interpretations of federal statutes and the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
Federal appellate representation requires identifying preserved errors, analyzing the trial record, researching controlling authority, preparing persuasive written briefs, and presenting oral argument when permitted by the court.
Attorney Petro represented Nicolas Gomez in United States v. Gomez, 763 F.3d 845 (7th Cir. 2014) (en banc). The Seventh Circuit used the case to revise its framework for evaluating other act evidence under Federal Rule of Evidence 404(b). The court agreed that the challenged evidence should not have been admitted but ultimately found the error harmless and affirmed the judgment.
Attorney Petro also secured an appellate ruling vacating a 204-month federal sentence. He continued to represent the client on remand, during which the court imposed a 97-month sentence, resulting in a 107-month federal sentence reduction following appeal and resentencing. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
Learn more about Attorney Petro’s federal criminal appeals practice.
Representation Built on Courtroom Experience
Before entering private practice, Michael J. Petro served as a prosecutor in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in Chicago and the Winnebago County State’s Attorney’s Office in Rockford.
His experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney provides insight into how criminal investigations are developed, how charging decisions are made, how witnesses are prepared, and how prosecutors present cases for trial.
Attorney Petro personally evaluates the allegations, evidence, potential defenses, and procedural posture of each federal case. Clients receive direct representation informed by decades of trial and appellate experience.
Read more about federal criminal defense attorney Michael J. Petro, including his courtroom experience, education, admissions, and professional memberships.
Contact Federal Criminal Defense Attorney Michael J. Petro
Federal investigations and criminal charges can move quickly. Statements made to investigators, documents produced in response to a subpoena, and decisions made during the early stages of a case may affect the defense later.
If you are under federal investigation or facing federal criminal charges, contact federal criminal defense attorney Michael J. Petro before speaking with agents or prosecutors. Call 813.499.9111.