Federal Criminal Defense

Federal charges involve violations of United States laws, crimes committed across state lines, or crimes on federal property. They are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, investigated by agencies like the FBI or DEA, and generally carry much harsher mandatory minimum sentences than state crimes.

The Federal Sentencing Guidelines are a highly complex, uniform point scale used by federal judges to determine prison terms. They calculate a mathematical score based on the specific "offense level" and the defendant's prior "criminal history category."

No. The federal government abolished the parole system for crimes committed after 1987. If you are sentenced to federal prison, you must serve the vast majority of your time (usually at least 85%), with only minor reductions available for good behavior.

An indictment is a formal accusation. A federal prosecutor presents evidence to a grand jury (in secret), and if the grand jury believes there is probable cause that a federal crime was committed, they issue a "True Bill" (the indictment), leading to an arrest warrant.

You must allow them to execute the search, but do not answer any questions. State clearly, "I will not answer any questions without my attorney present." Do not consent to them searching areas outside the scope of the warrant, and call a federal defense lawyer immediately.

If you receive a "target letter" from the U.S. Attorney, it means prosecutors have gathered substantial evidence linking you to a crime, and they fully intend to seek an indictment against you. You need immediate legal representation before speaking to anyone.

Unlike local police who make arrests immediately at a scene, federal agencies often investigate quietly for months or even years. They utilize wiretaps, financial audits, confidential informants, and grand jury subpoenas before ever making an arrest.

A proffer session (or "Queen for a Day" agreement) is a highly risky meeting where you answer questions from federal prosecutors and agents in exchange for a limited promise that those statements won't be used directly against you. It should never be done without an attorney.

Yes. Under the "Dual Sovereignty" doctrine of the Constitution, the state government and the federal government are considered separate sovereigns. You can be prosecuted and punished by both for the exact same conduct without violating Double Jeopardy protections.

Mandatory minimums are strict statutory requirements that force a federal judge to impose a specific minimum prison sentence (e.g., 5, 10, or 20 years) if you are convicted of certain crimes, primarily high-level drug trafficking, firearms offenses, or child pornography.

The federal system does not use traditional cash bail bondsmen. After an arrest, a judge holds a Detention Hearing. If you are deemed a flight risk or a danger to the community, you will be held without bond; if released, you will be monitored by Pretrial Services.

A conspiracy charge (often under 18 U.S.C. § 371 or 21 U.S.C. § 846) means you agreed with at least one other person to commit a federal crime. You can be convicted of conspiracy even if you never actually completed the underlying crime, so long as one person took an "overt act" toward it.

Yes, if the government violated Title III wiretap laws or your Fourth Amendment rights. A skilled defense attorney will file a Motion to Suppress, demanding the government prove they exhausted standard investigative methods before resorting to invasive wiretaps.

The federal government possesses nearly unlimited resources, elite investigative agencies (FBI, IRS), and the leverage of harsh mandatory minimum sentences to force plea deals. They generally do not indict cases they do not believe they can easily win.

Absolutely. Most state-level criminal defense lawyers are not admitted to federal court and do not understand the complexities of the Federal Rules of Evidence or the Sentencing Guidelines. Federal defense is a highly specialized practice area.