Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Texas
A federal criminal defense lawyer represents individuals accused of violating United States federal law in cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If you’re facing federal charges in Texas, you need an attorney who understands the Northern, Southern, Eastern, or Western District of Texas and has experience handling cases in federal court. The federal system operates under entirely different rules than Texas state courts, with longer investigations, harsher sentencing guidelines, and a conviction rate exceeding 90%.
At Varghese Summersett, our federal defense team includes a former Assistant United States Attorney, former federal public defenders, and board-certified criminal law specialists. We’ve handled hundreds of federal jury trials across Texas. Call (817) 203-2220 for a free consultation.
Why Federal Cases Require Specialized Defense
Federal cases differ from state prosecutions in nearly every way. Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS, and ATF investigate for months or years before making an arrest. They have vast resources, sophisticated surveillance tools, and experienced prosecutors who rarely bring cases they can’t win.
Under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, defendants face strict timelines. Once arrested, the government has 30 days to secure an indictment under 18 U.S.C. § 3161. Unlike Texas state court, there’s generally no bond in federal cases. Judges follow 18 U.S.C. § 3142 to determine whether you’ll remain in custody while your case is pending.
The federal sentencing guidelines create mathematical formulas that can result in decades of imprisonment for offenses that would carry far lighter penalties in state court. A drug trafficking conviction involving one kilogram of methamphetamine, for example, starts at a base offense level of 34 under the guidelines. Add enhancements for importation or maintaining a drug premises, and the recommended sentence can exceed 20 years.
Signs You’re Under Federal Investigation
Federal investigations often begin quietly. You may not know you’re a target until agents appear at your door or you receive a target letter. Here are warning signs that federal agents may be building a case against you:
- An FBI agent accompanies state officials to your business to retrieve records
- IRS agents visit to ask about cash transactions or 8300 filings
- DEA agents question your customers, suppliers, or employees
- ATF agents inquire about firearms you’ve bought or sold
- You receive a grand jury subpoena demanding documents
- Business associates tell you they’ve been questioned about you
If any of these apply to you, contact a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately. The decisions you make in the next 24 to 48 hours can determine the outcome of your entire case.
What to Do If You’re a Federal Target
Federal agents are trained interrogators. They may seem friendly or suggest they’re “just gathering information.” Don’t be fooled. Under the Fifth Amendment, you have the absolute right to remain silent. Exercise it.
Do not speak to federal agents without your attorney present. Anything you say can be used against you. Even seemingly innocent statements can be twisted into false statement charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1001, which carries up to five years in federal prison.
Politely decline to answer questions. Provide your attorney’s contact information. Then call us at (817) 203-2220. We can intervene immediately, communicate with agents on your behalf, and potentially negotiate a resolution before charges are ever filed.
How We Defend Federal Cases at Every Stage
Target Letters and Pre-Indictment Investigations
A federal target letter is formal notice from a U.S. Attorney that you’re the subject of a grand jury investigation. This is often the best opportunity to influence the outcome. Our attorneys can negotiate with prosecutors, present mitigating evidence, and sometimes convince the government not to indict at all.
Grand Jury Subpoenas
A grand jury subpoena compels you to appear or produce documents. Ignoring it can result in contempt charges. We can accept the subpoena on your behalf, file motions to quash overly broad requests, and protect your Fifth Amendment rights throughout the process.
Initial Appearance and Detention Hearings
After arrest, you’ll appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge who will advise you of the charges and your rights. The court will then determine whether you’ll be released or detained pending trial.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g), judges consider the nature of the offense, weight of evidence, your criminal history, employment, family ties, community connections, and whether you pose a flight risk or danger. Drug cases carry a presumption of detention that we must overcome with compelling evidence.
Our attorneys prepare extensively for detention hearings. We gather employment records, family support letters, and evidence of community ties. We’ve secured release for clients in cases where detention seemed certain.
Arraignment and Discovery
At arraignment, you enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. We almost always enter a not guilty plea initially, which preserves all options while we review the government’s evidence.
Federal discovery under Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure can be massive. White-collar cases involving bank fraud, healthcare fraud, or tax evasion often include hundreds of thousands of documents. Our team has the resources and experience to analyze complex financial records, identify weaknesses in the government’s case, and develop effective defense strategies.
Plea Negotiations
Federal plea bargaining works differently than in Texas state court. You won’t receive a specific sentence offer in exchange for your plea. Instead, you’ll plead guilty with uncertainty about the final outcome.
The government may agree to drop certain counts, recommend a lower sentence, or file a motion for downward departure based on your cooperation. Under Rule 11(c)(1)(C), binding plea agreements that specify a sentence are possible but rare. Federal judges generally resist them.
Our attorneys negotiate aggressively to secure the best possible terms. We also advise clients honestly about whether trial or a plea serves their interests.
Federal Jury Trials
If your case goes to trial, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Federal prosecutors win over 90% of cases that reach trial. They’re well-funded, thoroughly prepared, and experienced.
Our trial attorneys have tried hundreds of federal and state jury cases. We know how to select juries, cross-examine government witnesses, challenge forensic evidence, and present compelling closing arguments. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, even while pursuing negotiated resolutions.
How Federal Sentencing Works
Federal sentencing begins with the United States Sentencing Guidelines. A probation officer interviews you, reviews your criminal history, and prepares a Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) that calculates your guideline range. This range depends on two factors: your offense level (based on the crime’s severity) and your criminal history category.
For example, a defendant convicted of trafficking one kilogram of methamphetamine with a prior felony conviction might face a guideline range of 262 to 327 months (roughly 22 to 27 years). The numbers are sobering.
However, since the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), the guidelines are advisory, not mandatory. Judges must consider them but can impose sentences above or below the recommended range based on the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a).
These factors include the nature of the offense, your personal history and characteristics, the need for deterrence, and the goal of avoiding unwarranted sentencing disparities. A skilled federal criminal defense lawyer can present mitigating evidence, object to PSR inaccuracies, and argue for a sentence below the guidelines.
We submit detailed sentencing memoranda and character letters. We challenge enhancement calculations. We present our clients as complete human beings, not just case numbers. This work can mean the difference between a decade in prison and a few years.
Federal Crimes We Defend
Our federal criminal defense lawyers handle the full range of federal offenses prosecuted in Texas, including:
- Drug trafficking and conspiracy (DEA cases)
- Bank fraud, wire fraud, and mail fraud
- Healthcare fraud and Medicare/Medicaid fraud
- Tax evasion and IRS investigations
- Money laundering
- RICO and organized crime
- Firearms offenses (ATF cases)
- Child pornography and exploitation
- Public corruption and bribery
- Immigration crimes
- White-collar offenses and securities fraud
Why Choose Varghese Summersett for Federal Defense
We understand federal prosecution because we’ve been on the other side. Our team includes a former Assistant United States Attorney who prosecuted federal cases. We have former federal public defenders who know how to fight the government with limited resources. Our board-certified criminal law specialists have tried hundreds of jury trials.
We practice in federal courts across Texas, including the Northern District of Texas (Dallas and Fort Worth divisions), the Southern District of Texas (Houston), and the Eastern and Western Districts. We know the judges, the prosecutors, and the local practices that can affect your case.
With more than 70 attorneys and staff across four Texas offices, we have the depth to handle complex federal cases that would overwhelm smaller firms. We respond quickly because we know federal timelines don’t wait.
Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Criminal Defense
What’s the difference between state and federal criminal charges?
State charges involve violations of Texas law and are prosecuted by county or district attorneys. Federal charges involve violations of United States law and are prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys. Federal cases typically involve longer investigations, harsher sentencing guidelines, and are tried in federal district court before federal judges.
Can I get bond in a federal case?
Unlike Texas state court, there’s no automatic right to bond in federal cases. Under 18 U.S.C. § 3142, judges must determine whether any conditions of release can reasonably assure your appearance and community safety. Drug cases and violent offenses carry a presumption of detention. However, release is possible with strong evidence of community ties, employment, and low flight risk.
How long do federal investigations take?
Federal investigations can last months or years before any arrest occurs. Agencies like the FBI, IRS, and DEA often conduct extensive surveillance, review financial records, and interview witnesses before seeking an indictment. This is why early intervention by a federal defense attorney is so valuable.
What happens if I’m convicted of a federal crime?
Federal convictions carry serious consequences. Most defendants face prison time because probation is rare in the federal system. Sentences are calculated using the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider the offense severity and your criminal history. After release, you’ll serve a period of supervised release (similar to parole) and may face collateral consequences including loss of voting rights, firearm restrictions, and immigration consequences.
Should I cooperate with federal agents?
You should never speak to federal agents without an attorney present. Anything you say can be used against you, and even innocent misstatements can result in additional charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1001. Politely decline to answer questions and contact a federal criminal defense lawyer immediately.
Contact Our Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
If you’re under federal investigation or have been charged with a federal crime in Texas, time matters. The earlier we can intervene, the more options we have to protect you. Our federal criminal defense lawyers offer free, confidential consultations where we’ll discuss your situation, explain the legal issues, and outline potential defense strategies.
Call (817) 203-2220 now. We answer 24/7.
