Have you been charged with a federal crime in Washington, D.C.? You deserve strong legal representation to help you get a fair outcome. Contact Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., at (843) 620-1100 to schedule a confidential consultation with a Washington, D.C. federal criminal defense lawyer.
Federal cases are high-stakes and come with the potential for serious penalties. Our firm is one of the leading federal criminal defense firms in the country. We have more than 44 years of combined experience focusing exclusively on federal criminal matters; we are the team you want in your corner when everything is on the line.
Why Choose Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. if I’m Facing Federal Criminal Charges in Washington, D.C.?
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is the largest in the nation. It prosecutes every type of federal case imaginable, from public corruption and government fraud to complex financial crimes and national security matters. You need a criminal defense lawyer who can help you go up against some of the toughest prosecutors in the nation.
Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., provides the high-caliber defense that federal cases in Washington, D.C. demand—we stand out because:
- Our legal team has experience representing clients in all types of federal matters, from drug crimes to the most technical white-collar offenses.
- We know federal court procedure. We know constitutional protections. We use both to craft the strongest possible defenses and chip away at the prosecution’s case.
- We handle all levels of federal advocacy, including trials and appeals.
- We use our knowledge of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to argue for mitigations and downward adjustments.
- We regularly take on cases prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Contact our office today to schedule a private consultation with a Washington, D.C. federal criminal defense attorney. We are ready to fight for you at every stage of your case.
Federal Offenses in the District of Columbia
A federal crime involves conduct that violates a law enacted by the United States Congress. Federal jurisdiction typically arises when criminal conduct affects interstate commerce.
Because Washington, D.C., is home to the federal government, federal jurisdiction here is unique. Federal criminal charges in D.C. can arise in cases that would be handled at the state level almost anywhere else in the country.
In D.C., federal investigations are frequently conducted by:
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- The U.S. Secret Service
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI)
- The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General
- And other specialized federal bodies
Federal investigations frequently begin long before a single charge is filed. By the time formal charges arrive, the government may have already spent months or years building its case. Legal intervention at the earliest stages of your case can help even the playing field between you and the federal government.
We Defend All Kinds of Criminal Cases in Washington, D.C.
Federal criminal law covers even broader categories of conduct than state law, including everything from financial offenses to drug distribution.
Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., has experience handling federal misdemeanor and felony cases of all kinds. We regularly represent individuals accused of white-collar and financial crimes.
We also represent clients facing charges involving:
- Mail fraud
- Wire fraud
- Public corruption
- Health care fraud
- Financial crimes
- Government contracting fraud
- Money laundering
- Federal tax offenses
- Cybercrimes
- Bank fraud
- Sexual crimes
- Drug trafficking crimes
It’s important to contact a federal defense attorney as soon as you have been charged or learn you are under investigation. Federal agencies have likely been building this case over months (or years). Your attorney must step in immediately to protect your rights and begin building your defense.
The Penalties for Federal Criminal Cases in D.C.
Federal criminal convictions in Washington, D.C., are as serious as they sound. Unlike local D.C. Superior Court proceedings, federal sentencing is governed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines are advisory, but judges must calculate and consider them, and they typically prescribe a sentencing range based on the nature of the offense and the defendant’s prior criminal history.
Misdemeanors are punishable by up to a year in prison, while felonies are punishable by more than a year and often come with years of imprisonment (sometimes up to life). Sentencing enhancements can add time to any sentence, and you can also face substantial fines and other time or cost-intensive penalties like supervised release and restitution orders.
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we use our extensive knowledge of the guidelines to argue against enhancements and advocate for downward variances. We use numerous strategies to mitigate the penalties you’re facing.
What Collateral Consequences Come with Federal Convictions?
For some, the collateral consequences of a federal conviction can be as damaging as any prison term.
After a federal conviction, you may experience:
- Employment challenges
- Difficulty finding housing
- Restrictions on or removal of your professional certifications
- Loss of federal security clearances
- Ineligibility for federal benefits
- Reputational harm
- Lifetime restrictions on owning a firearm
- International travel restrictions
The collateral consequences of a federal conviction carry particular weight in Washington, D.C., where so many careers depend on government employment, federal contracting work, or the professional standing that a conviction can permanently destroy. At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we fight your charges at every stage of your case; a strong defense at the beginning can limit the collateral consequences you’ll face in the future.
What Defenses Are Effective Against Federal Offenses in Washington, D.C.?
Federal prosecutors have a high burden of proof; they must prove every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Depending on the circumstances, one or more of the following defenses may be effective:
Insufficient Evidence
In some cases, prosecutors rely heavily on circumstantial evidence or testimony from cooperating witnesses who may have their own incentives to shift blame. A skilled defense attorney can challenge the reliability of the government’s evidence and expose gaps in the prosecution’s case.
If the government cannot prove every required element of the offense, the charges may be dismissed or result in an acquittal at trial.
Lack of Intent or Knowledge
Many federal statutes require the government to prove that you knowingly or intentionally committed a crime. If you lacked the knowledge or intent the statute requires, you may have a viable defense. This defense is particularly relevant in white-collar, regulatory, and government contracting cases.
Constitutional Violations
Federal agents in Washington, D.C. cannot search you or seize your property without probable cause or a warrant.
If investigators violated your rights during a search or engaged in other unlawful conduct, the resulting evidence may be inadmissible in court. Suppressing the prosecution’s evidence can significantly undermine the government’s case against you.
Mistaken Identity or False Allegations
Federal investigations in D.C. can span years and involve large volumes of complex evidence. In some cases, investigators charge the wrong defendant, or they may rely too much on witnesses with demonstrated credibility issues. Your attorney can identify mistakes of fact or false allegations underpinning the government’s case and present alternative explanations for your conduct.
Entrapment
Entrapment occurs when government agents induce a person who was not predisposed to commit a crime to commit it, usually in the course of undercover operations or stings. This defense isn’t always available, but it can form the basis of a strong challenge if law enforcement’s conduct crossed the line.
Duress or Coercion
Some individuals commit crimes not for personal gain but because they were threatened or coerced into engaging in illegal behavior. Typically, such individuals believed they had no reasonable alternative but to commit the crime. In these cases, duress may serve as a defense.
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we examine all the facts of your case to identify all possible defenses that could support a dismissal or reduced charges. We challenge the government at every turn and hold them to a high burden of proof.
Reach Out to Our Washington, D.C. Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
A federal criminal charge is no small matter. In fact, the stakes are sky high. Waiting to seek defense representation is not advisable. You need an attorney on your side who can push back when the government tries to throw its weight around.
Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., is one of the premier criminal defense law firms in the U.S. We are here to provide you with the toughest defenses in the toughest cases. Call us now to schedule a private consultation with a Washington, D.C. federal criminal defense lawyer. We are ready to fight for you.
Reviewed for legal accuracy by Elizabeth Franklin-Best, Esq., Principal Attorney·September 2026