Nebraska Criminal & Trial Lawyers
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Jim K. McGoughJim K. McGough

Omaha Criminal Defense Attorney

Jim K. McGough is a trial attorney and the managing partner of McGoughLaw P.C. L.L.O. He focuses his practice on defending those arrested and charged with crimes under Nebraska or federal law. He has over 22 years of experience as a criminal defense trial lawyer and has successfully tried numerous trials before juries and judges.

After working as a partner for two previous law firms, Mr. McGough started McGough Law, P.C. L.L.O. in 2002, using a unique team approach for the preparation and presentation of cases set for trial. His cases have involved a wide variety of criminal offenses, ranging from DUI and driving offenses to high-profile cases involving drugs and allegations of sexual assault or misconduct. Mr. McGough and one of his clients appeared in and were interviewed for the award-winning documentary, “The House I Live In” regarding the negative impact of mandatory minimum sentences in drug cases.

In addition to his successful trial work, Mr. McGough has been asked to be a presenter at seminars for other criminal defense attorneys and has published articles in statewide publications for defense lawyers. He previously served as the Madison County Bar Association Treasurer and is currently a member of the Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys, and the American Association for Justice. He has tried and presented cases all across the State of Nebraska and in the Northern and Southern Federal District Courts in Iowa.

In 1999, Mr. McGough represented a client injured by pesticides against a chemical manufacturer that resulted in one of the largest product liability verdicts in the State of Nebraska. Although his focus is on handling criminal matters, he has also successfully tried cases involving personal injury, disputed business matters, and domestic relations.

Mr. McGough has argued and presented cases to the Nebraska Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He is admitted to practice in Nebraska, Georgia, and Iowa. He is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska, the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern District of Iowa, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

On October 3, 2013, Mr. McGough was named Lawyer of the Year in the Northern District of Iowa for his work on the panel of federal attorneys practicing in that area. This award was decided on by the Federal Judges from the Northern District. It is the first time that an attorney from Omaha has received the award.

Mr. McGough obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Thomas and attended law school at the Creighton University School of Law.

Areas of Practice

  • Internet crime/child porn
  • Criminal law
  • Criminal law - Federal (white collar crime)
  • DUI/DWI
  • Sexual harassment
  • General litigation

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 1996
  • Iowa, 2007
  • Nebraska, 1997
  • U.S. District Court District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court Northern District of Iowa
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Iowa
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

  • Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska
    • J.D. - 1996
  • University of St. Thomas, Houston, Texas
    • B.A. - 1993
    • Major: English

Professional Associations & Memberships

  • Madison County Bar Association (Treasurer, 2000-2001)
  • Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorneys Association
  • American Association for Justice
  • Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Get in touch with Attorney Jim K. McGough by calling McGoughLaw P.C. L.L.O. at (402) 614-8655. We serve all of Nebraska and handle federal criminal cases in both Nebraska and Iowa.

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Case Results

  • Theft
    Defendant was charged with embezzling more than $300,000.00, from a previous employer. At the deposition of the alleged victim, our firm highlighted a number of inconsistencies and questionable statements. The State agreed to dismiss all charges against our client. Defendant was charged with burglary. At the preliminary hearing, we created a record that established that the State had very little corroborated evidence against our client. After the hearing, we filed a motion to suppress, arguing that the charges should be dismissed because the State could not prove that our client was involved in the burglary. Shortly before a hearing on our motion, the State contacted us and agreed to dismiss all charges against our client. Defendant was charged in federal court with embezzling several thousand dollars. Following our investigation and providing relevant information to the Government and the Court, the Court agreed to sentence our client to probation with no jail time. Defendant was charged in federal court with cheating the Government out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Following our investigation and settlement negotiations with the Government, the Court agreed to sentence our client to probation without having to go to jail.
  • Other Offenses
    Defendant was charged with possession of child pornography and was previously represented by a different attorney. Defendant came to us for help because his current attorney was not able to get the matter resolved from Defendant. Following our investigation and presentation of materials to the State, the State agreed to dismiss all felony charges against our client. Based upon our presentation to the Court at sentencing, the Court agreed to sentence our client to probation without having to go to jail. Defendant was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. The matter proceeded to trial and the jury found our client Not Guilty. Defendant was charged in federal court with impersonating an officer. Following an investigation and information presented to the Government, the Government agreed to dismiss the charges against our client. Defendant was charged with child endangerment and was previously represented by a different attorney. Defendant came to us for help because her current attorney was not able to get the matter resolved for Defendant. Following our investigation and presentation of materials to the State, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against our client. Defendant was previously sentenced to several years in prison. Defendant had been represented by a different lawyer. Our firm was asked to review the case to determine if there was anything that could be done to reduce Defendant's sentence. Following our investigation and presentation of materials to the State and Court, our client was re-sentenced to time served and released from prison.
  • Drug Possession
    Defendant was charged with possessing a large quantity of marijuana. Following a complete investigation by our firm, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against our client. Defendant was charged with carrying numerous pounds of marijuana. Following a suppression hearing where several statements made by the arresting officer were called into question, the State dismissed the felony possession charge. At sentencing, we presented evidence and information that convinced the Court to sentence our client to probation with no jail time. Defendant was charged with carrying numerous pounds of marijuana. Following a complete investigation by our firm, the State agreed to give the Defendant a deferred sentence which would not appear on his record. Our client avoided any criminal conviction and avoided a jail sentence. Defendant was charged with possessing drugs found at the airport. After our investigation and presentation of materials to the State, the State agreed to dismiss the charges against our client. Defendant was charged with possession of prescription drugs. Following a successful suppression hearing where the Court ruled that the State could not use certain evidence against our client, the State agreed to dismiss all felony charges against our client. At sentencing on a reduced misdemeanor charge, we were successful in convincing the Court to sentence our client to probation with no jail time. Defendant was charged with possession of prescription drugs while a student at college. After our investigation and presentation of materials to the State, the State agreed to refer the matter to diversion. This resulted in our client not having any criminal charges on his record. Defendant was charged with drug conspiracy and possession of a weapon. Following a hearing challenging the Government's evidence, the Court sustained our motion to suppress and ruled that the Government did not have probable cause to stop, detain or search our client.
  • Assaults
    Defendant was charged with child abuse resulting in death. Following the investigation of our firm, depositions of key witnesses and presentation of our findings to the prosecutor, the State agreed to dismiss the charges against our client. Defendant was charged with assaulting an officer. The matter proceeded to trial and the jury found our client not guilty. Defendant was charged with assault. Following our investigation and presentation of relevant information to the State, the State agreed to dismiss the charges against our client. Defendant was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Following our investigation and presentation of materials to the State, the State agreed to dismiss all charges against our client.
  • Sexual Offenses
    Defendant was charged with sexual assault of a minor. At the deposition of the alleged victim, our firm got the alleged victim to confess that she made the whole thing up. Charges were dropped against our client. Defendant was charged with sexual assault. At the deposition of the alleged victim, a number of inconsistencies were identified and highlighted and the State dismissed all felony charges against our client. Defendant was charged with soliciting a minor from craigslist. After taking a deposition of the alleged victim, our firm was able to highlight a number of inconsistencies and questionable information and the State dismissed all felony charges against our client. Defendant was charged with sexual assault. During the deposition of the alleged victim, our firm got the alleged victim to admit that it was possible that all of the information provided to police was from a dream and was not real. The State dismissed all felony charges against our client. Defendant was charged with sexual abuse of a family member. Following a deposition of the alleged victim and complete investigation, demonstrating that a number of statements made by the alleged victim were questionable and inconsistent with other information, the State agreed to dismiss the charges. Defendant was charged with sexual assault. The matter proceeded to trial and the jury found there was insufficient evidence to convict the Defendant. Our client was never convicted of the charge. Defendant was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault on family members. The matter proceeded to trial and the jury found Defendant not guilty of two charges and found there was insufficient evidence to convict on a third charge. Before Defendant could be retried on the third offense, the State agreed to dismiss all sexual offenses against our client. Defendant was charged with a sexual assault that the State claimed happened several years ago when the Defendant was a minor. We filed a Motion to transfer the matter to juvenile court, arguing that the matter should be dismissed. After our hearing, the State agreed to dismiss charges against our client.

A Reputation Of Excellence

See What Our Clients Have To Say
  • “Thank you for all that you did - Nathan did a great job.”

    F.T.

  • “Jim, thank you for everything. ”

    M.H.

  • “Nathan, thank you again for representing my case. I appreciate all the knowledge you provided and ensuring that I was in good hands.”

    A.K.

  • “ Keeping my record clean as possible means a lot to me and I couldn't have done it without you, thank you!”

    T.P.

  • “Please allow me to offer a HUGE thank you for your exemplary legal representation.”

    C.V

  • “Nathan, thank you so very much for getting this matter handled for me so quickly! ”

    S.M

  • “Thank you and everyone that's working on my case in your office!”

    S.H.

  • “Your office got involved at the right time and did a phenomenal job on cross-examination of the witnesses.”

    R.W.

  • “Thank you for your constant help with this process.”

    N.L

  • “I was very pleased with the outcome of my case and all the work the Jim and everyone did for me.”

    S.B.

  • “ I would without a doubt say his representation was above and beyond my expectations. ”

    D.B.

  • “Thank you so much for all your hard work on my case which allowed me to be with my daughter and family for this holiday season.”

    M.L.

  • “Thank you so much Jim for everything you have been doing on my case, you are greatly appreciated.”

    S.H.

  • “Jim is the best lawyer I've seen and I was very pleased.”

    J.M.

  • “Don't look any further than McGough Law Firm if you want the best!!!”

    GJT