Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Federal charges are serious and can lead to long jail time, large fines, and a permanent record. These cases are not handled in the local court. Instead, they go to federal court, where the rules are stricter and the process moves more slowly than in state court. The United States government often spends a lot of time and money building these cases before making an arrest.

If you or someone you care about is being investigated or charged with a federal crime, you need help right away. William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law helps people in Los Angeles County and across California who are facing criminal charges in the federal court system.

Our law firm knows how to fight against the federal prosecutor, protect your legal rights, and build a strong legal defense. With years of experience in criminal law and federal laws, we work to give you the best chance at a better outcome.

Federal vs. State Criminal Charges: Key Differences

Federal charges are handled by the United States government and are based on federal laws, not California State laws. These cases go to federal court and are often investigated by federal agencies like the FBI or the DEA. Federal crimes usually involve things like drug trafficking, wire fraud, insider trading, weapons charges, or crimes that cross state lines.

State charges are handled in local courts and deal with crimes under the California Penal Code. These might include assault and battery, DUI, or domestic violence. The main difference is that federal cases are often more complex and come with harsher penalties, including mandatory sentencing guidelines that judges follow.

Why Federal Cases Are More Complex and High-Stakes

Federal cases are usually harder to fight than state cases. This is because the government has more resources, better-trained federal agents, and a longer time to build a strong case. Federal prosecutors often rely on grand jury subpoenas, search warrant evidence, forensic fingerprint analysis, and even DNA analysis to prove guilt.

The legal process in federal court is different from state courts. There are strict federal sentencing guidelines that judges follow. Hence, less room to reduce penalties or ask for lighter punishment. In many cases, federal investigators spend months monitoring individuals and collecting evidence before making an arrest.

If you are charged with a federal offense, the stakes are much higher, and the risk of a long sentence is very real.

What's the Role of a Skilled Federal Defense Attorney?

A skilled federal criminal defense lawyer protects you at every step. They converse with the federal prosecutor, mitigate charges, challenge the evidence, and guide you through the entire legal process. Federal criminal defense attorneys assist clients in understanding their charges, reviewing any plea bargain, explaining sentencing guidelines offered, and ensuring that their legal rights are not violated.

A strong defense may include filing pretrial motions, reviewing the investigation process, and fighting to suppress any illegal evidence. A good lawyer can also explain the United States federal sentencing guidelines that apply to your case and build a plan to lower the base level offense based on your situation. In many cases, a federal criminal defense lawyer can help reduce your sentence or avoid federal prison time.

Common Federal Crimes We Defend in Los Angeles

Federal criminal cases in Los Angeles cover many types of crimes. Here are some of the most common federal offenses we handle:

Federal Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy Charges

Federal drug charges often involve drug trafficking, drug violations across state lines, or conspiracy to sell illegal substances. These charges may also include arrests made by the Drug Enforcement Agency, Customs Enforcement, and Homeland Security. Penalties are high, and many cases involve mandatory minimum sentences.

Legal defense often focuses on challenging how the evidence was gathered or proving that the client had a very minimal role in the crime.

Wire Fraud, Mail Fraud, and Bank Fraud

Wire fraud and mail fraud are common white collar crimes. These involve deceiving or lying to others to get money, often through phone calls, emails, or letters. Bank fraud includes using false information to steal money from financial institutions.

These crimes fall under Title 18 of the United States Code and can carry serious prison time. The earlier you call a criminal defense attorney, the better your chances of avoiding the worst penalties.

White Collar Crimes: Embezzlement, Insider Trading, and Tax Evasion

White collar crimes involve money but not violence. Embezzlement means taking money from your employer. Insider trading means using secret information to make money in the stock market.

Tax evasion is when someone lies to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to avoid paying taxes. These federal crimes can lead to jail time, large fines, and even a ban from working in your field again.

Federal Gun and Firearm Offenses

Federal firearm offenses include illegal gun sales, having a gun while committing another crime, or bringing weapons onto federal property. Cases may involve agencies like the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). These charges are taken very seriously, especially if they are linked to other federal crimes.

Healthcare Fraud and Insurance Fraud

Healthcare fraud includes billing for services not given, using false patient records, or working with others to steal money from programs like Medicare. Insurance fraud means lying to get money from an insurance company. These charges may also lead to investigations involving computer crimes or identity theft.

Money Laundering and RICO Charges

Money laundering means not disclosing where illegal money came from. RICO charges, under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, can include things like public corruption, blackmail and extortion, or fraud.

These are some of the most serious charges under federal law. A federal criminal defense attorney can attempt to mitigate these charges with the US Attorney and secure a reduced sentence.

Federal Agencies Involved in Criminal Investigations

Federal cases are often handled by large government agencies with strong resources. These agencies investigate serious crimes that break federal laws or cross state lines. They gather evidence, conduct interviews, and work with federal prosecutors to build a case.

If you are under federal investigation, knowing which agency is involved can help you understand what type of charges you are facing.

FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security

Several federal agencies may be involved in a criminal investigation, depending on the crime:

 
• FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): Handles many types of federal crimes, including internet fraud crimes, sex crimes, white collar crime, terrorism, and public corruption.
 
• DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency): Investigates drug trafficking, drug charges, and other drug violations involving controlled substances.
 
• ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives): Focuses on weapons charges, bomb threats, arson, and illegal firearm activities.
 
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Secret Service. They handle crimes involving federal property, computer crimes, and threats to national safety.

How Federal Investigations Are Conducted

Federal agents may spend weeks or months, and sometimes years, building a case before making an arrest. They often use:

 
• Search warrants to look for evidence
 
• Wiretaps to listen to phone calls
 
• Grand jury subpoenas to get documents or call people to testify
 
• Forensic fingerprint analysis and DNA analysis to link people to crimes
 
• Surveillance to track movements or computer activity

The process is quiet at first. You may not even know you are being investigated until agents contact you. That is why early legal help is important.

What to Do If You're Being Investigated

If you think federal agents are looking into you or if you have already been contacted, follow these simple steps:

 
1. Stay Calm: Do not panic. Federal investigations can take time. Do not run or try to hide information.
 
2. Do Not Speak Without a Lawyer: Do not talk to agents, answer questions, or give any statements. Anything you say may be used against you. Ask to speak with your criminal defense attorney first.
 
3. Hire a Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer: Contact a federal criminal defense lawyer right away. They will talk to the federal prosecutor on your behalf, review the case, and protect your legal rights.
 
4. Do Not Delete or Destroy Anything: Do not delete emails, files, or messages. Doing so may lead to more serious federal charges like obstruction of justice.
 
5. Gather Documents: Collect anything that may help your legal defense, like emails, receipts, or written records. Give them to your lawyer only.
 
6. Follow Legal Advice: Your lawyer will guide you. Follow every instruction closely to avoid mistakes during the criminal investigation.

What to Expect During a Federal Criminal Case

A federal criminal case follows a different path than a state case. Everything moves through the federal court system and follows federal laws and strict rules. It starts with an investigation and may end with a trial or plea agreement.

Knowing each step helps you understand what you are facing and how your federal criminal defense lawyer can help.

Grand Jury Indictment and Arraignment

Most federal cases begin with a grand jury. This group of people looks at the evidence and decides if there is enough to charge someone with a federal offense. If they agree, the person is indicted. This means they are formally charged under United States federal legislation.

After the indictment, the next step is the arraignment. This is when the person goes to federal court, hears the charges, and pleads guilty or not guilty. The judge may also decide if they will stay in jail or be released until trial. This is a key moment when legal representation is very important.

Pretrial Motions and the Discovery Process

Before the trial begins, both sides gather and share information. This part is called discovery. Your federal criminal defense attorney will ask to see the evidence the federal prosecutor plans to use. This can include emails, documents, audio recordings, or forensic reports.

At the same time, your lawyer can file pretrial motions. These are legal requests to the judge. Some examples include:

 
• A motion to dismiss the case
 
• A motion to suppress illegal evidence
 
• A motion to limit what the jury can hear

This stage helps your criminal defense attorney build a strong legal defense and potentially prevent the case from proceeding. In many criminal cases, this is when plea bargains or settlement talks begin.

Sentencing Guidelines in Federal Court

If a person is found guilty in federal court, the judge will use federal sentencing guidelines to decide the punishment. These rules are used across the United States to keep sentences fair and consistent. They look at the type of federal crime, the person's criminal history, and other facts in the case.

For example, drug trafficking, wire fraud, or money laundering often come with strict mandatory minimums. This means the judge must give a certain amount of jail time, even if they want to be lenient. Your federal criminal defense lawyer can ask for a lighter sentence by showing reasons like cooperation with law enforcement, small involvement in the crime, or lack of criminal history.

A strong legal defense can help lower the sentence even within the guidelines.

Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief Options

If you are convicted in federal court, it does not always end there. You still have rights. Your criminal defense attorney may file an appeal. This is when a higher court is asked to look at the case and check for legal mistakes. Appeals are common in federal criminal cases, especially if the trial was unfair or if the court ignored key evidence.

Other options include filing for post-conviction relief. This can include:

 
• Asking for a reduced sentence
 
• Showing that your legal rights were violated
 
• Using new evidence that was not available before

These steps must follow rules in Title 18 of the United States Code and the federal court system. A Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer can help guide you through the appeal process or request a new hearing if needed.

How Our Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Facing a federal crime is scary, but you don't have to face it alone. Our law firm helps clients in Los Angeles County and throughout the United States who are under federal investigation or have already been charged.

William S. Kroger, Criminal Defense Attorney at Law, provides smart legal defenses, explains your options, and stands by you from start to finish in your federal criminal case.

Immediate Representation During Investigations

If federal agents contact you or show up with a search warrant, you need a lawyer right away. The sooner we get involved, the more we can do to help.

We speak to law enforcement and the federal prosecutor for you, protect your legal rights, and work to stop federal charges before they are filed. Quick legal representation can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

Building a Strong and Aggressive Defense

We look at every detail of your federal investigation and charge. We review how evidence was collected, question the actions of federal agents, and check for any violations of your rights.

Whether you are charged with money laundering, wire fraud, drug trafficking, or white collar crimes, we build a strong legal defense based on the facts of your case. Our goal is to weaken the federal prosecutor's case and protect your freedom.

Protecting Your Rights and Reputation

Federal criminal cases can hurt your name, job, and family life. Even before trial, a federal crime accusation can damage your reputation. We protect your image by handling the case with care and fighting back against unfair claims.

If needed, we help you deal with media attention or issues at work. We make sure your legal rights are respected at every stage of the federal court process.

Strategic Trial Preparation or Settlement

Every criminal case is different. Some clients want to fight in court, while others want to avoid a trial. We help you make the best choice. If your case goes to trial, we prepare every detail and challenge the government's evidence.

If a plea agreement is the better path, we push for a deal that avoids jail time or reduces the charges. Our law firm focuses on the strategy that gives you the best outcome.

FAQs

1. What makes a crime a federal crime instead of a state crime?

A crime becomes a federal crime if it breaks federal laws, happens on federal property, or crosses state lines. Crimes like wire fraud, drug trafficking, and money laundering often fall under federal law and are handled in federal court.

2. What should I do if a federal agent contacts me?

Do not answer questions or give a statement. Ask to speak with a Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer first. Anything you say can be used against you during a criminal investigation.

3. How long do federal criminal cases take?

Federal cases move more slowly than state cases. They can take months or even longer. The federal prosecutor must follow many rules, and the case goes through several steps, including pretrial motions, discovery, and possible plea agreements.

4. Can I avoid jail in a federal case?

It depends on the crime and the facts of your case. With a strong legal defense, you may be able to get probation, a shorter sentence, or even a case dismissal. Your criminal defense attorney can also help negotiate a better plea bargain.

5. What happens after a federal conviction?

After a conviction, the judge follows federal sentencing guidelines to decide on jail time and fines. You may still appeal the decision or ask for post-conviction relief if your legal rights were violated or new evidence is found.

Contact Our Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

If you are being investigated or charged with a federal crime, you need help fast. Federal cases move quickly and come with serious risks like long jail time, large fines, and a permanent record. William S. Kroger Criminal Defense Attorney at Law is ready to protect you. Our Los Angeles federal criminal defense lawyer knows how to deal with the federal prosecutor, the court system, and law enforcement.

We handle all types of federal crimes, including wire fraud, drug trafficking, white collar crimes, and money laundering. Our law firm fights to protect your rights, your future, and your freedom. Whether you are facing a grand jury, pretrial motions, or sentencing guidelines, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us now for a free consultation. You do not have to face the United States Government alone. Let our experienced legal team defend you with skill, care, and confidence.