Strategic Federal And State Criminal Defense

Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

A conviction on charges for a federal offense can result in extremely serious penalties and a criminal record that could do irreparable harm to your future. The rules and procedures in federal court are nothing like those used in California courts. Choosing the right defense lawyer is essential to the success of your case.

There are plenty of firms whose defense lawyers have state prosecutorial experience and plenty of firms whose defense lawyers are admitted to California’s federal courts. There are a few defense lawyers, however, who have also prosecuted cases at the federal level. This is what sets the Law Office of Thomas A. Johnson apart. Attorney Tom Johnson has tried and won cases as both a federal prosecutor and a defense lawyer.

Strategic Defense Against Federal Criminal Charges

Our combination of knowledge and experience has served our firm’s clients extremely well over the years. We have a complete understanding of the federal court system, and we know how to manage your case effectively.

We will conduct a thorough investigation into your case and utilize every resource at our disposal in an effort to avoid a conviction on your record.

We are prepared to defend you against charges for any federal offense, including:

Fraud: Fraud-related crimes involve deceit or trickery to gain something of value, often money. They are federal crimes when they involve interstate commerce of federal institutions. Examples include mail and wire fraud, health care fraud, mortgage fraud and bankruptcy fraud.

Corruption: These crimes involve unethical conduct by public officials for personal gain, which impacts public trust and governance. For example, bribery involves offering something valuable to influence a public official’s actions.

Drug and firearms crimes: These are the illegal trade or handling of drugs and firearms. They often become federal offenses due to regulation and interstate implications. A common example is trafficking drugs across state borders.

Computer and Internet crimes: Offenses in this category happen using digital means, with federal jurisdiction often applying when the crimes affect interstate or international networks. Cyber fraud, for instance, involves hacking systems to steal sensitive information.

Financial and tax crimes: Such crimes typically involve illegal financial activities or tax evasion, posing a threat to federal revenue or financial institutions. An example is tax evasion, where individuals deliberately underreport income to avoid taxation.

Conspiracy: This category involves agreements between parties to commit a crime. Conspiracy becomes federal when the intended crime violates federal laws. For example, planning coordination fraud against a federal agency is a federal-level offense.

To learn more about what kind of cases we handle, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We will make sure to assess your case thoroughly and lay out all possible options for your defense.

Signs You May Be Under Federal Investigation

Federal criminal investigations often proceed quietly for months or even years before charges are formally filed. Being able to recognize the early signs of an investigation can provide you with crucial time to prepare an effective defense strategy. Attorney Tom Johnson has unique insight into how these investigations unfold and what they mean for potential targets.

Receiving A Target Letter

One of the most direct indications that you are under federal investigation is receiving a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. This notification informs you that you are the subject of a grand jury investigation regarding specific federal offenses. The letter typically explains that prosecutors believe you have committed a federal crime and a grand jury is being presented with evidence against you.

A target letter serves several purposes. First, it puts you on notice that you are under investigation. Second, it often invites you to testify before the grand jury, which is almost always inadvisable without proper legal representation. Third, it may suggest that the investigation is in its final stages, with an indictment likely to follow.

If you receive a target letter, there are several crucial steps you should take to protect your interests and avoid complicating your legal situation further:

Do not attempt to contact investigators directly
Preserve all potentially relevant documents
Refrain from discussing the investigation with others
Contact an experienced federal criminal defense attorney immediately

Taking these steps can help prevent actions that might otherwise strengthen the government’s case against you or create additional legal problems.

Federal Agents Making Contact

Federal law enforcement agents, such as those from the FBI, DEA or IRS, may approach you, your family members, colleagues or associates as part of their investigation. Their contact can manifest in various ways that signal an escalating investigation:

Agents appearing at your home, often early in the morning
Visits to your workplace seeking to interview you
Execution of search warrants at your residence or business
Agents questioning your associates about your activities

If federal agents attempt to interview you, remember you have the right to remain silent and the right to have an attorney present during questioning. Politely but firmly decline to answer questions without your attorney present.

Unusual Surveillance Or Financial Activity

Beyond direct contact, federal investigators often employ more subtle methods of gathering evidence. Recognizing these less obvious indicators may provide early warning of an investigation:

Noticing unfamiliar vehicles or individuals repeatedly near your home or office
Unusual patterns in electronic communications
Financial institutions asking detailed questions about transactions
Banks freezing accounts or denying services without a clear explanation
Business partners or associates suddenly becoming distant or uncooperative

While any of these signs in isolation might be coincidental, experiencing multiple indicators together often suggests systematic federal scrutiny of your activities and affairs.

Why Immediate Legal Representation Is Critical

Federal prosecutors have extensive resources at their disposal and typically build methodical cases before filing charges. The federal conviction rate exceeds 90% in most jurisdictions, largely because cases are thoroughly investigated before reaching court.

With early intervention, an experienced federal criminal defense attorney can provide several critical advantages that may significantly impact the outcome of your case:

Engage with prosecutors before charges are filed
Identify weaknesses in the government’s case
Potentially negotiate more favorable terms or charges
Preserve essential evidence for your defense
Guide you on appropriate communications and actions
Begin building a strategic defense before an indictment

These preventative measures are often more effective than attempting to mount a defense after formal charges have been filed, when the government has already solidified its case against you.

Your Criminal Defense Questions, Answered

Below, we’ve answered some of the questions most often asked by prospective clients facing federal criminal charges.

What are the differences between federal crimes and state crimes?

From a legal perspective, the key distinction lies in the jurisdiction and the laws that are broken. Federal crimes are offenses that violate federal laws, cross state borders or take place on federal property. Examples include drug trafficking across state lines, bank robbery or mail fraud. State crimes, on the other hand, are violations of state laws and are prosecuted in state courts.

From a practical perspective, federal crimes are often much more serious than state charges, and conviction can mean incarceration in a federal prison and other harsh penalties.

Are mandatory minimum sentences present if convicted?

Yes, many federal crimes come with mandatory minimum sentences. This means that if you are convicted of certain offenses (commonly things like drug crimes, firearm violations or certain sex offenses), the judge must impose at least the minimum sentence set by law, regardless of any mitigating circumstances.

Federal mandatory minimum sentences can be extensive, and they cannot be shortened for good behavior. A convicted offender must remain in prison for at least the length of time required by statute.

What other consequences may result from federal criminal convictions?

Beyond imprisonment, federal criminal convictions can lead to several other serious consequences, both criminal and noncriminal. These may include:

Fines and restitution
Loss of a professional license
Restrictions on your ability to own firearms
Difficulties in securing employment or housing
Temporary loss of voting rights

Additionally, a federal conviction can affect your immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen, potentially leading to deportation. The long-term impacts of a federal criminal conviction will impact many aspects of your life and should not be underestimated.

Do all criminal attorneys handle federal crimes?

No, they don’t. Federal criminal defense requires knowledge of specific federal laws and procedures, which differ greatly from those in state court. It’s important to seek out an attorney who has experience in federal courts, understands the complexities involved in federal cases and knows how to properly investigate and prepare your case for trial.

You also need to be sure that your attorney understands the stakes and is prepared to aggressively defend you each step of the way. Thomas A. Johnson is one such attorney.

Talk To An Attorney About Your Case

Contact the Law Office of Thomas A. Johnson to discuss your federal criminal defense needs with an attorney. You can schedule an initial consultation by calling 916-248-8598 in the Sacramento area or toll-free at 866-974-4316, or you can send us an email.