If any of these have happened, or if you have reason to believe you are under federal scrutiny, do not wait.
The decisions you make right now, including whether to speak with investigators, can shape the direction of your case for years.
Federal investigations typically involve months or years of work before charges are filed. By the time you are arrested or contacted, prosecutors often already have financial records, electronic communications, surveillance footage, witness testimony, and evidence gathered through subpoenas, search warrants, and wiretaps. Early intervention by an experienced federal defense attorney is critical to protecting your rights before the government fully controls the narrative.
Unlike Florida state court, federal sentencing follows the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG), a structured system that significantly constrains judicial discretion and generally results in harsher sentences than comparable state charges. Federal prosecutors also have extremely high conviction rates because they typically do not bring cases to trial unless they are confident they will win.
The Department of Justice distinguishes between three categories of people in a federal investigation. A target is someone for whom prosecutors have substantial evidence linking them to a crime and who is expected to be charged. A subject is someone whose conduct falls within the scope of the investigation but who has not yet been identified as a target. A witness is someone with relevant knowledge who is not currently a target or subject. All three statuses can change, and witnesses and subjects can become targets quickly. If you have received a target letter or been contacted by federal agents, contact us immediately before responding.
Most federal felony charges begin in the grand jury, where only the prosecutor presents evidence and the target has no right to respond. If you receive a grand jury subpoena, whether as a witness or a target, the way you respond has significant consequences. Testifying without counsel puts you at risk. Refusing to testify has its own implications. In some circumstances, a proffer agreement may be the right strategic choice. These decisions require an experienced federal criminal defense attorney.
Federal cases involve different prosecutors (Assistant US Attorneys), different agencies (FBI, DEA, IRS-CI, and others), different courts (US District Courts), different rules of procedure and evidence, and structured sentencing guidelines that significantly limit judicial discretion. The resources available to federal prosecutors are substantially greater than those of state prosecutors, making experienced federal defense representation essential.
Federal crimes include wire fraud, healthcare fraud, securities fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, drug trafficking, federal firearms offenses, identity theft, cybercrime, human trafficking, public corruption, and white collar financial crimes.
Politely but clearly state that you wish to speak with an attorney before answering any questions. Do not consent to searches. Contact us immediately. Statements made to federal agents can be used against you even without Miranda warnings in many circumstances, and anything you say can be used to build or strengthen the government’s case.
A target letter is a formal notification from the US Attorney’s Office that you are the target of a federal criminal investigation. Receiving one means prosecutors believe they have substantial evidence linking you to a crime. Contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately upon receiving a target letter, do not respond on your own.
A witness may have information relevant to the investigation but is not suspected of wrongdoing. A subject is someone whose conduct falls within the scope of the investigation. A target is a person prosecutors believe may have committed a federal crime. All three statuses can change, and it is critical to have legal counsel regardless of how the government currently characterizes your role.
Yes. Federal criminal allegations can affect professional licenses, securities registrations, business operations, government contracts, immigration status, security clearances, and reputation, often before a conviction is ever entered. Protecting these interests alongside the criminal defense is a critical part of our approach.
In most cases, no. Federal law does not provide a general adult expungement statute. Limited exceptions exist, including the Federal First Offender Act (18 USC 3607) for certain first-time drug offenders under 21. Our attorneys evaluate all available options for clients seeking to address federal records, including mechanisms available in other jurisdictions.
A grand jury subpoena is a legal order requiring you to testify or produce documents before a grand jury. In most circumstances you are legally required to comply, but how you respond, and whether you assert any privileges, requires careful legal strategy. Never appear before a grand jury without first consulting an experienced federal criminal defense attorney.
