With our proven experience, you can expect professional and beyond-the-standard service for your federal defense case. Our approach to federal defense is based on our attorney experience representing suspects, targets, and defendants, but also our attorney’s and consultant’s prior experience as federal prosecutors and investigative agents.
This experience affords Heath Hyde and consultants deep insights into the federal investigative and prosecutorial processes—and these insights enable us to provide strategic and effective defense representation in high-stakes federal cases.
As a result, here is what you can expect when you choose Heath Hyde:
1. Heath Hyde Will Patiently Explain the Accusations Against You
Federal cases can be extraordinarily complicated, and DOJ prosecutors will often pursue multiple related and unrelated charges. As a result, building an effective defense strategy starts with understanding the accusations against you. Heath and our attorneys will explain why you are being targeted, what facts are (and aren’t) relevant to your case, and whether you are at risk for criminal conviction and/or civil liability.
If you are currently facing an indictment, our attorneys will review the indictment and explain what the charges contained in the indictment mean. If you are currently under investigation, our attorneys will intervene and gather the information needed to determine what allegations are on the table. This is a critical first step, and it is a first step that we will take as soon as possible after you engage our firm to represent you.
2. Heath Hyde Will Carefully Explain Your Subpoena, Target Letter, or Indictment Line by Line
Our clients come to us after receiving a subpoena, target letter, or indictment. If you have received one of these documents, you can expect that we will carefully explain it line by line. Heath and our attorneys will explain the allegations at issue (and, in the case of a subpoena, whether you are the one being targeted), and our consultants will provide their insights as to why and how the government is building its case against you.
Once you receive a subpoena, target letter, or indictment, you need to move quickly. At this point, federal agents and prosecutors are already well on their way to pursuing civil enforcement action or a criminal conviction. We will get to work immediately, and we will build a targeted and custom-tailored defense strategy focused on the unique details of your situation.
3. Heath Hyde Will Focus on Your Side of the Story
Too often, defense lawyers focus on the government’s side of the case. They review the allegations at issue, and then they react to the government’s moves.
While this can be part of an effective defense strategy, it typically is not an effective defense strategy in itself. Instead, minimizing the consequences of a federal investigation or indictment requires a proactive approach focused on your side of the story. Rather than following the government’s focus, we broaden our perspective, and we examine all relevant facts and circumstances in order to build a comprehensive defense strategy. In many cases, we are able to successfully defend our clients by bringing to light facts, statutes, and cases that federal agents and prosecutors hadn’t previously considered.
4. Heath Hyde Will Evaluate All Possible Defenses
There are several different ways to defend against federal allegations (though the options that are available can vary at different stages of a federal case). We evaluate all possible defenses, and we build and execute defense strategies that take into account the facts, law, and current procedural status of our client’s case. When circumstances evolve or new information comes to light, we reevaluate and adapt our defense strategy accordingly.
New defenses can arise as a case progresses. For example, federal agents or prosecutors may make mistakes that warrant the exclusion of evidence and/or dismissal of the charges against you. We constantly look for opportunities to protect our clients—and we strike when opportunities come available.
5. Heath Hyde Will Explain the Process of Trial Preparation
Following a federal indictment, trial preparation becomes key. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should be expecting to go to trial at this stage. We approach trial preparation strategically and use trial preparation as a means to avoid trial whenever possible.
Heath and our trial attorneys will explain the trial preparation process to you in detail. We will also explain how we will use this process to position your case for the most favorable outcome. We will go over how we will challenge the federal government’s evidence and its investigative practices, and we will discuss all possible scenarios—from negotiating a plea to filing a motion for pre-trial dismissal.
6. Heath Will Explain What to Expect at Trial or in Plea Negotiations
In order to make informed decisions during pre-trial, it is important to understand what you can expect as your case moves forward. This means understanding all possible scenarios, including going to trial and potentially resolving your case through plea negotiations.
When a pre-trial dismissal is not feasible, our first option is to fight for a favorable judgment at trial. In criminal cases, it means an acquittal on all charges. Heath Hyde and our associated federal defense attorneys and consultants are experienced trial strategists. We will walk you step-by-step through how we will defend you in court. If going to trial is too risky, then our second option, with your approval, is to enter into plea negotiations.
7. Heath Hyde Will Never Surrender, and We Will Only Compromise When You Have Agreed it is in Your Best Interests to Do So.
We only pursue plea negotiations when it is in your best interests to do so and you approve. Pleas are not surrendering, but rather a strategic approach to minimize the negative repercussions of prosecution for our clients. With extensive experience on both sides of these negotiations, we have a clear understanding of the types of issues and strategies that tend to lead to the most favorable outcomes.
As our client, it is your decision if and when to pursue plea negotiations. However, as your defense counsel, it is our job to advise you appropriately. You can expect that we will help you make informed decisions; and, if you decide to pursue plea negotiations, we will leverage the available evidence (or lack thereof) to seek the most favorable deal on your behalf.
8. Heath Will Involve You in All Critical Decisions Pertaining to Your Federal Case
There will be many other critical decisions you will need to make during your federal case. We will involve you in all of these decisions, and we will give you advice based on our attorneys’ and consultants’ centuries of collective experience on both sides of federal cases. We will give you as much time as possible to make the decisions you need to make, but we will also make clear when time is of the essence.
9. Heath will Spend Time Working with You and Helping You Make Smart Decisions
When facing high-stakes federal allegations, it is important to know that Heath Hyde cares about the outcome of your case. We are passionate about what we do, and it you can feel it. We will spend as much time working with you as you would like, and we will equip you with the knowledge and insights you need to make smart decisions.
Our clients have direct access to Heath via email and his cell phone as well as our associated senior attorneys and consultants around the clock. If you want to get in touch, we want to hear from you. Federal cases are very serious and timing is ultra-important so you can expect to hear from us frequently. We will never leave you wondering about the status of your case or the risks you might be facing.
10. You Can Trust Your Case is Heath’s Most Important Case
As our client, your case is our priority. We put our clients’ cases above all else—including professional and personal priorities. We know you expect this, and we believe you deserve nothing less. When you choose Heath Hyde, you can feel confident knowing you have highly-experienced Senior attorneys and consultants on your Team. Further, you can rest assured you have attorneys and consultants committed to doing everything possible to protect you.
Schedule a Complimentary Case Assessment at Heath Hyde Law Firm
If you would like to know more about our approach or our experience in high-stakes federal cases, we encourage you to get in touch. For a complimentary confidential case assessment at Heath Hyde Law, call 903.439.0000 or submit an online contact form.
