Practice Areas - Federal Level

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 Statutes & Federal Law

Federal drug crimes often involve violations of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. § 841 et seq.), including possession with intent to distribute, trafficking, and conspiracy. These charges are prosecuted in federal court and carry mandatory minimum sentences for many offenses.

Penalties

• Mandatory minimum prison terms (e.g., 5 – 10+ years depending on drug type/quantity)
• Fines into the hundreds of thousands or millions
• Supervised release after imprisonment
   

Defense Strategies

Defense focuses on:

• Challenging the legality of search/seizure
• Negotiating quantity thresholds that trigger mandatory minimums
• Arguing lack of knowledge or intent
   

Court Process

Federal drug cases begin with investigation, possible grand jury indictment, arraignment, pretrial motions, trial (jury or bench), and sentencing under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Statutes & Federal Law

White collar and fraud crimes include offenses such as wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, and securities fraud—typically prosecuted under various federal statutes in Title 18 of the U.S. Code. 

Penalties

Penalties vary with offense severity but can include:

• Significant prison time (often 5–20 years+)
• Substantial fines
• Forfeiture of assets connected to the offense
   

Defense Strategies

Effective defense may include:

• Challenging intent elements
• Attacking government accounting or loss calculations
• Negotiating plea agreements when appropriate
   

Court Process

Federal fraud cases usually proceed by indictment, followed by discovery, motions practice, possible plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing under the federal guidelines. 

Statutes & Federal Law

Federal weapons offenses include unlawful possession of firearms, possession with intent to use in drug trafficking, and violations of the Gun Control Act. These are serious charges that fall under federal statutes and are prosecuted in U.S. District Court. 

Penalties

Penalties depend on the offense and prior history, often including:

• Years in federal prison 
• Federal supervised release
• Mandatory minimums in some cases
   

Defense Strategies

Defense may involve:

• Arguing lack of knowledge or constructive possession
• Challenging search and seizure issues
• Negotiating to avoid enhanced sentencing provisions such as the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) enhancements for repeat offenders.
   

Court Process

After indictment, pretrial motions can be pivotal in suppressing unlawfully obtained evidence. Trials follow discovery, and sentencing uses the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines. 

Statutes & Federal Law

Federal conspiracy charges under 18 U.S.C. § 371 or similar statutes punish agreements to commit federal offenses. Racketeering charges under RICO (18 U.S.C. § 1961–1968) target patterns of criminal enterprise activity.

Penalties

• Conspiracy and RICO convictions can carry decades in prison
• Substantial fines
• Asset forfeiture and forfeiture of business interests under RICO
   

Defense Strategies

Defense often focuses on:

• Arguing lack of agreement or knowledge
• Teasing apart whether acts were part of a broader enterprise
• Mitigating role in the alleged criminal enterprise
   

Court Process

Federal conspiracy and racketeering matters involve detailed investigations, often using wiretaps, informants, and financial records. Cases are presented to a federal grand jury and then to trial unless resolved by plea.

Overview & Federal Law

Federal homicide cases involve the unlawful killing of another person under federal jurisdiction, which can arise when the crime occurs on federal property, involves federal officers, crosses state lines, or is part of another federal offense (e.g., kidnapping, drug trafficking, terrorism). Federal homicide charges include murder, manslaughter, and negligent homicide under U.S. Code, Title 18. Federal homicide cases are prosecuted aggressively, often in U.S. District Court, with significant penalties.

Penalties

Penalties vary based on the charge and circumstances:

• First-Degree Murder (Federal) — Life imprisonment or death penalty (in rare cases)
• Second-Degree Murder / Manslaughter — Up to life imprisonment or terms set by federal sentencing guidelines
• Negligent Homicide — Up to 10 years imprisonment and fines
   

Additional consequences may include supervised release, restitution, and long-term federal criminal records.

Defense Strategies

Federal homicide defense requires specialized knowledge of federal law, procedure, and sentencing guidelines. Common strategies include:

• Challenging intent and mens rea under federal statutes
• Asserting self-defense or defense of others
• Disputing forensic, ballistic, or medical evidence
• Addressing constitutional violations (e.g., unlawful search or seizure)
• Negotiating plea agreements or reduced charges when appropriate
   

A federal defense attorney often collaborates with forensic experts, investigators, and legal specialists to protect client rights at all stages.

Court Process – District Court vs. Appellate Court

Federal homicide cases are prosecuted in U.S. District Court, with defendants having the right to a jury trial. Following conviction, appeals may be taken to the U.S. Court of Appeals, and in rare circumstances, to the U.S. Supreme Court. Federal sentencing is governed by federal sentencing guidelines, which can significantly influence the outcome.