Start With Where You Are Right Now
Most people who contact us have never dealt with a criminal case before. They may not know what happens next, which questions to ask, or even what stage their case is in.
That is completely normal.
You do not need to know the right legal terminology before calling us. Tell us what happened, what you received, and what you are worried about. We will help you understand where things stand and what needs to happen next.
Criminal cases do not all begin the same way. You may have learned that agents are asking questions about you. You may have received a subpoena or target letter. You may already have been arrested, released on bail, indicted, convicted, or sentenced.
Wherever you are in the process, we are here to help.
Under Investigation
Sometimes the best opportunity to protect a client comes before any charges are filed.
You may learn about an investigation because agents contacted you, a coworker or family member was interviewed, you received a subpoena, or someone told you that your name came up. In other cases, federal agents may arrive at your home or workplace without warning.
Do not try to talk your way out of the situation. Do not delete messages or documents. Speak with a lawyer before responding to agents, investigators, prosecutors, or a subpoena.
Early representation gives your attorney time to learn what the government is investigating, protect you from avoidable mistakes, and determine whether there is an opportunity to prevent charges or limit the scope of the case.
Learn More About Government Investigations
Arrested or Charged
An arrest is frightening, but it is not a conviction. It is the beginning of the case.
The first hours can move quickly. Police may want to question you. Prosecutors will decide what charges to bring. A judge may soon be asked to decide whether you will be released.
The most important thing you can do is remain silent and ask for a lawyer. Do not explain, apologize, argue, or try to clear up a misunderstanding on your own.
Once we become involved, we begin gathering information, speaking with family members when appropriate, reviewing the allegations, and preparing for the first court appearance.
Resources for Family Members
A criminal case affects the entire family.
When someone you love is arrested, detained, or under investigation, you may suddenly be responsible for finding a lawyer, gathering documents, arranging bail, speaking with employers, managing children, and trying to understand a court system you have never dealt with before.
It can be difficult to know what information is reliable or what you should be doing to help.
We have created resources for family members that answer common practical questions, including how to locate someone who has been arrested, what to expect at the first court appearance, how bail works, how to communicate with someone in custody, and how families can help the defense team.
Family members often play an important role in a case. They may help us gather records, identify witnesses, prepare a release plan, and provide the background information needed to present the client as a full person rather than simply a name in a charging document.
At the same time, it is important to be careful. Calls from jails and detention centers are recorded and may be reviewed by the government. Messages, social media posts, and conversations with potential witnesses can sometimes create problems for the person charged.
When appropriate and with our client’s permission, we keep designated family members informed and help them understand what is happening and what comes next.
RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
Bail and Release
Before anyone can focus fully on defending the charges, there may be an immediate question: will you be allowed to go home while the case is pending?
Bail and release hearings often happen quickly. The court may consider the charges, your background, your ties to the community, your financial circumstances, and whether the prosecutor claims that you may not return to court.
Preparation matters. We work with clients and their families to collect the information the court needs to see the whole person—not simply the accusations written in a complaint or indictment.
We also help families understand release conditions, bond requirements, travel restrictions, electronic monitoring, and what to expect if a loved one remains detained.
Criminal Litigation and Trials
After the initial court appearances, the real work of defending the case begins.
We review the prosecution’s evidence, investigate the facts ourselves, interview witnesses, analyze searches and statements, consult experts when needed, and identify legal issues that can be challenged in court.
Some cases can be dismissed through investigation or motion practice. Others may be resolved through negotiations. Some should be tried.
We do not assume from the beginning that a client should accept a plea. We prepare the case so that every option remains available and every decision is made from an informed position.
No lawyer can promise what the government, a judge, or a jury will do. We can promise that we will examine the evidence carefully, explain your choices honestly, and prepare your defense with trial in mind.
Explore Criminal Litigation and Trials
Sentencing, Appeals and Post-Conviction
A guilty plea or verdict does not mean the lawyer’s work is over.
Sentencing requires its own strategy. The court should understand far more than the offense charged. A strong sentencing presentation may address the client’s history, family, work, health, role in the offense, efforts at rehabilitation, and the effect that an incarceratory sentence will have on other people.
After sentencing, there may also be grounds for an appeal or another form of post-conviction relief. These matters involve strict deadlines and different legal standards, so they should be reviewed promptly.
We represent clients at sentencing and evaluate state and federal cases for appeals, resentencing applications, and other post-conviction options.
Learn About Sentencing, Appeals and Post-Conviction
You Do Not Have to Figure This Out Alone
A criminal case affects more than what happens in court. It can disrupt your work, your family, your finances, your reputation, and your plans for the future.
Our job is not only to file papers and appear before a judge. It is to help you understand the case, prepare you for difficult decisions, and build the strongest defense the facts and the law allow.
We keep our practice selective so that our attorneys can remain directly involved. From the first conversation through the resolution of the case, you will know what we are doing, why we are doing it, and what comes next.
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That is fine. Tell us what has happened so far, and we will help you identify the next step.
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