San Diego Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Federal offenses are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in federal court. Investigations may involve the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, or other agencies and can include surveillance, financial records, digital evidence, and informants. A federal connection must exist; not every serious offense belongs in federal court.

The same incident may raise state and federal questions. Rules governing detention, discovery, motions, deadlines, and sentencing differ. James N. Dicks has experience in state and federal criminal matters and evaluates the actual jurisdiction and allegations before developing a strategy.

jD LAW’s federal practice covers allegations involving controlled substances, financial misconduct, weapons, computers, and other violations of federal law. The precise statute, alleged role, amount or quantity, and evidence determine what must be proven.

• Drug trafficking, manufacturing, distribution, and conspiracy.
• Wire fraud, bank fraud, bribery, embezzlement, tax offenses, and money laundering.
• Firearm offenses, qualifying violent offenses, and crimes involving federal property.
• Computer offenses, identity theft, and applicable immigration-related criminal allegations.

You do not have to wait for an indictment to obtain legal advice. If agents contact you or you receive a grand jury subpoena, speak with counsel promptly. Do not ignore a subpoena, lie, destroy records, or coordinate accounts with witnesses. Counsel can assess your obligations and applicable privileges.

A lawyer can preserve favorable evidence, communicate with investigators, evaluate the scope of a document demand, and advise about interviews. A witness’s access to counsel in grand jury proceedings differs from ordinary court appearances; representation should be planned around the actual procedure.

After charging, proceedings may include an initial appearance, detention hearing, arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions, negotiations, and trial. The government must prove the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. A plea agreement does not always bind the sentencing judge, and collateral consequences need individual review.

Federal Sentencing Guidelines are advisory, but statutory mandatory minimums and maximums may control. Loss amounts, drug quantities, prior convictions, enhancements, mitigation, and available exceptions can affect the sentence. Imprisonment, supervised release, restitution, fines, and forfeiture depend on the case. Appeal and post-conviction options have strict requirements and deadlines.

James N. Dicks is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist and former LAPD investigator with more than 30 years of legal experience. Our team examines the evidence, government procedures, and your circumstances without promising an outcome. Call (760) 630-2000 or contact jD LAW for a free consultation.