Tampa Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

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Defending Against Hobbs Act Charges

The Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1951) was originally enacted in 1946 to target the widespread violence, threats and coercion that were being used to handle union disputes, including racketeering and extortion. In its simple form, the Hobbs Act makes it illegal to use robbery or extortion to interfere in interstate commerce. Individuals convicted of violating the Hobbs Act face lengthy prison sentences with no opportunity for parole.

If you are being investigated for or have been charged under the Hobbs Act, it is critical that you obtain sound legal counsel from a knowledgeable white collar crimes defense attorney, with extensive Hobbs Act defense experience. At the Tampa law office of O’Brien Hatfield, P.A., we provide vigorous defense to individuals charged with white collar crimes. While discretion is always a priority, our attorneys have represented individuals in a number of high-profile media cases and are adept at developing effective media strategies to protect our clients’ reputations. To schedule a complimentary appointment, contact us online or call 813-440-2347, en Español at 813-390-2494 Orlando at 407-305-4585.

Expanding Application Of The Hobbs Act

Although it is still used to target corruption by members of labor unions, in recent years Hobbs Act prosecutions in Florida have increasingly focused on curbing public corruption. This often involves allegations of extortion under color of right, including blackmail or bribes. Frequently this means accepting gifts in exchange for some act on the part of the politician.

The broad language of the statute has enabled the FBI and other law enforcement to apply the Hobbs Act broadly, extending beyond white collar crimes to cover certain gang activities and wide-ranging schemes, especially the robbery of businesses.

Hobbs Act cases are extremely challenging, even for law enforcement. Because extortion, bribe or blackmail involves multiple parties, law enforcement will often use the threat of a long prison stay as leverage to try and get one party to divulge information in an effort to obtain a lenient sentence.

Federal racketeering and extortion charges under the Hobbs Act charges are frequently accompanied by other white collar charges such as conspiracy, embezzlement or RICO offenses. With so much on the line, do not trust your defense to just anyone.

Our advantage is our experience and our preparation. As a former prosecutor, Mark O’Brien understands the tactics and techniques prosecutors will use and how to counteract them. We get ahead by thoroughly combing over the evidence at the start to give you the maximum advantage. Our preparation enables us to push hard for the best possible outcome, whether it be in pretrial negotiations or at trial. Our strength is evident in our white collar crime case results.

Tampa White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer

Our results are a testament to our commitment to provide every client with the most rigorous defense possible. Our work is why people trust us. If you have been charged with a violation of the Hobbs Act, call our firm at 813-440-2347 or 888-496-5916 for a complimentary initial consultation. You may also reach us online. Our Tampa federal white collar criminal defense lawyers are ready to help.