Investigation timeline
Federal investigations often precede arrest by months or years
Grand jury proceedings, wiretaps, and multi-agency coordination build cases before a single arrest is made.
Federal Criminal Defense
Federal charges in the District of New Mexico.
Federal cases move differently than state prosecutions — faster investigations, stricter rules of evidence, and sentencing guidelines that can lock in exposure before a plea is offered. If federal agents have contacted you, or you have been charged in federal court, early decisions shape everything.
Important
This is general information, not legal advice. If you are contacted by federal agents or believe you may be under federal investigation, do not explain anything to investigators before speaking with counsel. Early statements can significantly affect your case.
Federal Practice Areas
Federal crime charges defended in New Mexico.
Select a charge type below to learn more about how federal prosecution works for that offense, what penalties and guidelines apply, and how defense strategy is built.
Charge Types
Federal Charges Defended
Each federal offense category has its own statutes, sentencing guideline chapters, and investigative patterns. Select a charge type to learn more.
Federal Drug Crimes
Most CommonTrafficking, distribution, and conspiracy under federal statutes. Mandatory minimums and guideline ranges drive exposure.
Federal Firearm Offenses
§ 924(c) and prohibited-person cases. Federal firearm charges often carry mandatory consecutive prison sentences.
Federal Fraud & Financial Crimes
Wire, mail, bank, and PPP/CARES fraud. Document-intensive prosecutions with broad conspiracy liability.
Illegal Re-Entry
Prosecution under 8 U.S.C. § 1326. Prior removal orders and criminal history drive guideline calculations.
Money Laundering
Structuring, concealment, and promotion of alleged criminal proceeds. Often charged alongside the predicate offense.
Federal Conspiracy
Broad liability that can sweep in co-defendants. The agreement itself — not the completed act — is the core element.
Child Exploitation (Federal)
Mandatory Mins.Digital evidence, mandatory minimums, and registration consequences. Among the most severely prosecuted federal offenses.
Process & Procedure
Stages of Federal Prosecution
Understanding where you are in the federal process determines what options are available and how urgency should be calibrated.
Federal Investigations
Grand jury activity, subpoenas, target letters, and the difference between a target, subject, and witness.
Search Warrants & Federal Raids
What agents are authorized to seize, how warrants are reviewed, and suppression issues that arise from unlawful searches.
Detention & Bond Hearings
Federal detention hearings favor the government in many drug and weapons cases. Early advocacy is critical.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
How offense level, criminal history, enhancements, and departures combine to produce a guideline range.
Federal Appeals & § 2255
Post-conviction review under federal law. Strict deadlines and limited grounds for relief require immediate action.
Why Federal Cases Are Different
State vs. federal prosecution — the key distinctions.
Federal cases are not simply "more serious" state cases. The investigative tools, procedural rules, and sentencing framework are fundamentally different.
Detention posture
Pretrial detention is presumed in certain drug and weapons cases
The Bail Reform Act creates a presumption of detention for certain federal charges. Bond hearings require immediate preparation.
Guideline sentencing
Sentencing is driven by guideline calculations, not judicial discretion alone
Drug quantity, enhancements, and criminal history generate a guideline range that constrains even sympathetic judges.
No state parole
Federal inmates serve at least 85% of their sentence
Unlike state sentences, federal sentences have no parole. A 10-year sentence means a minimum of 8.5 years served.
AUSA resources
Federal prosecutors have substantial investigative resources
Assistant U.S. Attorneys work closely with FBI, DEA, and Homeland Security — agencies with long-running case files.
Early strategy
Pre-indictment decisions often determine plea leverage and trial exposure
Whether to proffer, cooperate, or litigate is often shaped by actions taken before charges are even filed.
Defense Strategy
Federal defense requires a different framework than state practice.
In federal cases, the government typically indicts only when it believes its case is strong. That means defense strategy often centers on limiting exposure — challenging enhancements, disputing drug quantities, suppressing evidence, and positioning for the best available guideline outcome — rather than a binary win-or-lose calculation.
At the same time, suppression issues, unconstitutional searches, and overreaching conspiracy theories do arise. When the government overreaches, those issues must be litigated. Whether through pretrial motions, sentencing advocacy, or trial, federal defense work requires careful analysis of the record from day one.
Talk to counsel before the government defines your case for you.
Early decisions often control everything that follows.
If you are under investigation or facing federal charges, a short, private consultation can clarify exposure, options, and next steps. Free consultation. 24-hour answering service. Payment plans available in many cases.