Federal Criminal Defense in North Texas
Federal cases follow different rules, different sentencing guidelines and far higher stakes. We defend clients facing federal indictment in the Northern District of Texas from investigation through sentencing.
Who investigates and charges a federal case
Federal cases are built long before charges appear. Agencies like the DEA, FBI and HSI run the investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office decides what to charge, and most felonies are brought by a grand jury indictment rather than the complaint or information common in state court. That structure — and the resources behind it — is very different from a Texas state prosecution, which is why federal cases call for counsel who works in federal court.
Mandatory minimums and the Sentencing Guidelines
Federal sentencing does not work like state court. Many offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences fixed by statute, and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines produce a recommended range based on the conduct and the person’s history. A great deal of the defense work happens around those calculations — challenging how the offense is scored, arguing the role a person played, and presenting the circumstances that support the lowest lawful outcome.
Conspiracy liability and how the evidence is built
Federal drug and fraud cases are often charged as conspiracies, and a person can be held responsible for conduct and quantities attributed to the wider agreement — not only what they personally handled. The government frequently builds these cases with wiretaps, recorded calls and cooperating informants. We scrutinize how that evidence was gathered, whether it was lawful, and whether the government can actually tie a client to what it claims.
Detention hearings and limited federal bond
Federal release is decided at a detention hearing rather than by posting a set bail amount. The court weighs risk of flight and danger to the community, and in certain categories of cases detention is presumed unless that presumption is rebutted. Preparing for that hearing early — with a release plan, ties to the community and answers to the government’s concerns — can shape whether a client fights the case from home or from custody.
The federal charges we defend
We represent people facing drug conspiracies, gun charges under 924(c), white collar and fraud allegations, illegal reentry under §1326, and supervised-release revocations. These cases move fast and the early decisions — during the investigation, at the first appearance, and before indictment — often matter most. Bringing in experienced counsel early gives us the best chance to shape the investigation, protect your rights, and prepare a real defense.