Fort Worth Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
A federal indictment in Fort Worth is not a local arrest with a quick bond and a court date down the street. It is a case built by the FBI, DEA, ATF, or IRS over months or years, then handed to an Assistant United States Attorney who rarely files charges the government cannot win.
If you are under federal investigation or have been charged with a federal crime in Fort Worth, you need a defense team that has worked these cases from both sides. At Varghese Summersett, our federal defense team includes a former Assistant United States Attorney who prosecuted cases in the Northern District of Texas, board certified criminal law specialists, and trial lawyers who have defended federal cases from the first knock on the door through verdict. Call (817) 203-2220 for a free, confidential consultation. We answer 24/7.
Board certified. Former prosecutors. Built for federal court. Our founder, Benson Varghese, is Board Certified in Criminal Law and has tried more than 100 state and federal criminal cases before Texas juries. Letty Martinez, a board certified criminal law specialist on our team, served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas and spent more than 20 years as a prosecutor. With a team of more than 70 lawyers and staff across four Texas offices, a track record that includes more than 1,600 dismissals and 800 charge reductions, and six board certified attorneys firm wide, we have the depth federal cases demand.
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Federal Charges in Fort Worth Go Through the Northern District of Texas
Fort Worth federal cases are not heard in the Tarrant County criminal courthouse. They are prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, at the Eldon B. Mahon United States Courthouse, 501 West 10th Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102.
Our Fort Worth office sits in the One City Place Building at 300 Throckmorton Street, minutes from the federal courthouse in the same downtown core. That proximity matters. We know the judges who sit in the Fort Worth Division, the Assistant United States Attorneys who try cases here, and the local practices that shape how a case moves. When federal timelines are measured in days, having a federal defense team already in Fort Worth is an advantage.
Why Federal Cases Are Different From Texas State Cases
Federal prosecutions differ from state cases in almost every way that affects your freedom. Federal agencies investigate quietly, often for a long time, before anyone is arrested. By the time charges are filed, the government usually has financial records, surveillance, cooperating witnesses, and grand jury testimony already in hand.
The other major difference is bond. In Texas state court, you generally have a right to a bond. In federal court, you do not. Under 18 U.S.C. 3142, a United States Magistrate Judge decides whether any conditions can reasonably assure your appearance and the safety of the community. Drug and violent cases carry a presumption of detention that your lawyer has to overcome at a detention hearing, often within days of arrest. Preparing for that hearing immediately can be the difference between fighting your case from home or from a detention facility.
Signs You Are Under Federal Investigation in Fort Worth
Federal investigations often surface before any arrest. Watch for these warning signs:
- FBI, DEA, ATF, or IRS agents visit your home or business to ask questions
- You receive a federal grand jury subpoena for documents or testimony
- You receive a target letter from the United States Attorney’s Office
- Employees, customers, or business associates tell you they have been questioned about you
- Bank or business records are requested or seized
If any of these apply to you, the decisions you make in the next 24 to 48 hours can shape the outcome of your entire case. The pre charge stage is often the best chance to influence whether you are charged at all. Talk to a federal criminal defense lawyer before you talk to anyone else.
What to Do If Federal Agents Contact You
Federal agents are trained interviewers. They may sound friendly and tell you they are only gathering information. Do not be misled. You have an absolute right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent, and you should use it.
Do not answer questions without your lawyer present. Even an honest mistake can become a separate felony charge for making a false statement under 18 U.S.C. 1001, which carries up to five years in federal prison. Politely decline, give the agents your attorney’s contact information, and call us at (817) 203-2220. We can step in immediately, speak to the agents for you, and in some cases resolve the matter before charges are ever filed.
How a Federal Case Moves Through Court in Fort Worth
Target Letter or Pre-Indictment Investigation
A target letter is formal notice that you are the subject of a grand jury investigation. This is frequently the best moment to act. We can negotiate with prosecutors, present evidence in your favor, and sometimes persuade the government not to indict.
Grand Jury Subpoena
A subpoena can demand documents or your testimony. Ignoring it can lead to contempt. We can accept it on your behalf, move to quash overly broad requests, and protect your Fifth Amendment rights.
Initial Appearance and Detention Hearing
After arrest, you appear before a Magistrate Judge who explains the charges and decides whether you are released or held. We prepare detention hearings carefully, gathering employment records, family letters, and proof of community ties to argue for your release.
Arraignment and Discovery
You enter a plea, almost always not guilty at first, which preserves every option. We then review the government’s evidence. White collar and fraud cases can involve hundreds of thousands of documents, and our team has the resources to analyze them and find the weaknesses.
Plea Negotiation or Trial
Federal plea bargaining works differently than in state court, and the final sentence is often uncertain even after a guilty plea. We negotiate hard for the best terms and advise you honestly about whether a plea or a trial serves your interests. When a case should be tried, our trial lawyers know how to challenge the government’s evidence in front of a federal jury.
Federal Crimes We Defend in Fort Worth
Our federal criminal defense lawyers handle the full range of cases prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas, including:
- Drug trafficking and drug conspiracy
- Wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud
- Healthcare fraud and Medicare fraud
- Tax evasion and IRS investigations
- Money laundering
- Firearms offenses, including felon in possession of a firearm
- White collar offenses and securities fraud
- Child exploitation and pornography
- Illegal reentry and immigration crimes
Federal Sentencing in the Northern District of Texas
Federal sentencing begins with the United States Sentencing Guidelines. A probation officer prepares a Pre-Sentence Report that calculates your guideline range based on the offense level and your criminal history. Texas federal judges follow these guidelines more closely than judges in most of the country. According to United States Sentencing Commission data, Texas judges sentence within the guideline range 64.4% of the time, compared with 42.4% nationally. In Texas, your guideline calculation is not just a starting point. It is likely close to your actual sentence.
Since United States v. Booker, the guidelines are advisory, and a judge can sentence below the range based on the factors in 18 U.S.C. 3553(a). A skilled federal lawyer can object to errors in the Pre-Sentence Report, challenge sentencing enhancements, and present a detailed sentencing memorandum and character letters. That work can mean the difference between years and a decade.
Why Choose Varghese Summersett
We understand federal prosecution because we have done it, on both sides of the courtroom. Our team includes Letty Martinez, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, and board certified criminal law specialists who have tried more than 100 state and federal cases before Texas juries. That combination is why we can read a federal investigation early, anticipate the government’s next move, and build the kind of mitigation and trial preparation that changes outcomes.
With more than 70 lawyers and staff across offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake, we have the depth to handle complex federal cases that would overwhelm a smaller firm, and we respond fast because federal deadlines do not wait.
Visit Our Fort Worth Office
Varghese Summersett
One City Place Building, 300 Throckmorton Street, Suite 700
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Phone: (817) 203-2220
Under Federal Investigation? Watch This First
Benson Varghese explains the early warning signs that you may be the target of a federal investigation and what to do about them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Fort Worth federal cases heard?
Federal cases in Fort Worth are prosecuted in the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, at the Eldon B. Mahon United States Courthouse at 501 West 10th Street. This is separate from the Tarrant County state courts.
What is the difference between state and federal charges?
State charges involve Texas law and are prosecuted by county or district attorneys. Federal charges involve United States law and are prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys. Federal cases usually involve longer investigations, stricter sentencing, and higher conviction rates.
Can I get a bond in a federal case?
There is no automatic right to bond in federal court. Under 18 U.S.C. 3142, a judge decides whether any conditions of release can reasonably assure your appearance and community safety. Strong evidence of employment, family, and community ties can support release.
Should I talk to federal agents if I have nothing to hide?
No. You should never speak to federal agents without a lawyer present. Even an innocent misstatement can become a separate charge under 18 U.S.C. 1001. Politely decline and call a federal criminal defense lawyer first.
How fast do I need a lawyer?
Immediately. Federal cases move quickly, and the pre charge stage is often the best opportunity to influence the outcome. The first 24 to 48 hours after agents make contact can determine the direction of your case.
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Talk to a Fort Worth Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Today
If you are under federal investigation or have been charged with a federal crime in Fort Worth, time is your most important asset. The earlier we get involved, the more we can do to protect you. Our federal criminal defense lawyers offer free, confidential consultations. Reach us at (817) 203-2220. We answer 24/7.