Federal Criminal Defense Practice Areas

Focused exclusively on federal criminal defense in the District of Arizona and nationwide.

Federal Criminal Defense

Full-spectrum defense against all federal criminal charges in U.S. District Court. From investigation through trial and sentencing, every stage of a federal prosecution demands experienced counsel who understands the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and how federal prosecutors build their cases.

  • Drug trafficking and conspiracy (21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846)
  • Firearms offenses (18 U.S.C. § 922, § 924)
  • Immigration offenses (8 U.S.C. § 1326)
  • Violent crime and assault on federal property
  • Federal sentencing advocacy and downward departures
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Key Insight

The federal conviction rate exceeds 90%. The difference is not whether the government has evidence — it's whether your attorney knows how to challenge it. A former federal prosecutor understands suppression motions, sentencing guidelines, and cooperation agreements from both sides of the table.

White Collar Criminal Defense

Representation in federal white collar investigations and prosecutions. These cases are document-intensive, often spanning years of alleged conduct. Early intervention — before indictment — is the single most effective defense strategy.

  • Wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud (18 U.S.C. §§ 1341-1344)
  • Securities fraud and insider trading
  • Public corruption, bribery, honest services fraud
  • Healthcare fraud, Medicare/Medicaid fraud
  • PPP fraud and COVID relief fraud (CARES Act)
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Key Insight

White collar investigations are typically resolved before indictment is ever returned. The window between receiving a target letter and the grand jury voting is when the case is won or lost. A defense attorney who knows how federal prosecutors evaluate these cases can make the difference between dismissal and indictment.

Financial Crimes Defense

Federal financial crime prosecutions involve complex forensic accounting, voluminous discovery, and charging decisions driven by loss amounts under the Sentencing Guidelines. Effective defense requires counsel who can challenge both the evidence and the government's loss calculation.

  • Money laundering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1956-1957)
  • Tax evasion and false returns (26 U.S.C. § 7201, § 7206)
  • Structuring and currency transaction reporting
  • Asset forfeiture defense
  • Offshore account and FBAR violations
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Key Insight

In federal financial crime cases, the loss amount drives the sentence. Successfully challenging the government's loss calculation can reduce a Guideline range by years — sometimes decades. This is where a defense attorney with federal prosecutorial experience creates the most value.

Complex Federal Litigation

Multi-defendant conspiracy cases, RICO prosecutions, and continuing criminal enterprise charges present unique defense challenges. Joint defense agreements, severance motions, cooperating witness cross-examination, and voluminous wiretap/discovery review require strategic coordination and trial experience.

  • RICO / racketeering (18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968)
  • Drug conspiracies (multi-defendant)
  • Continuing Criminal Enterprise (21 U.S.C. § 848)
  • Hobbs Act and extortion
  • Federal conspiracy (18 U.S.C. § 371)
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Key Insight

In multi-defendant federal cases, the government's strategy is to turn defendants against each other. Cooperating witnesses drive federal conviction rates. A defense attorney who has handled these dynamics — from the prosecution side — knows how to evaluate cooperator credibility and protect the client from codefendant testimony.

Criminal Appeals & Post-Conviction

Federal criminal appeals are not a second trial. They are a specialized practice governed by strict procedural rules, tight deadlines, and standards of review that favor the government. Effective appellate advocacy requires identifying preserved error, framing the standard of review, and presenting the record in the light most favorable to reversal.

  • Direct appeals to the Ninth Circuit
  • Habeas corpus petitions (28 U.S.C. § 2255)
  • Ineffective assistance of counsel claims
  • Sentencing error appeals
  • Post-conviction relief and sentence reduction motions
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Key Insight

The notice of appeal deadline in a federal criminal case is 14 days from entry of judgment. Missing it is jurisdictional — the appeal is lost forever. If you or a family member has been convicted, call immediately. The clock is running.

Pre-Indictment Defense & Federal Investigations

The period before charges are filed is the most critical phase of any federal criminal case. Once an indictment is returned, the government's leverage increases dramatically. Pre-indictment representation can prevent charges from ever being filed.

  • Federal target letters — response and proffer strategy
  • Grand jury subpoena representation
  • Search warrant execution — immediate response
  • Voluntary interview representation
  • Proffer agreement negotiation
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Key Insight

If you have received a target letter, federal search warrant, or grand jury subpoena, do not speak to federal agents without counsel present. Every statement you make is evidence. The right attorney can engage with the U.S. Attorney's Office before charges are filed — and often prevent indictment entirely.

Facing Federal Charges?

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