Have you been charged with a federal crime in California? Federal cases are among the most serious legal matters a person can face; the outcome can determine the course of the rest of your life. Contact Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., today at (843) 620-1100 to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss your case with a California federal criminal defense lawyer.
Our firm has earned a reputation for delivering high-level federal criminal defense representation to clients throughout California and across the country. We have more than 40 years of combined experience focused on federal criminal matters, making us the team you want in your corner when everything is on the line. Call us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
Why Choose Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C. If I’m Facing Federal Criminal Charges in California?
Federal prosecutions in California are led by highly experienced, well-resourced prosecutors handling complex cases like financial fraud and drug trafficking. Investigations often take months or years before charges are filed, making early, strategic legal representation essential. Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., provides the level of defense these cases require.
We stand out because:
- Our legal team has over 40 years of combined experience defending clients in complex federal criminal matters across the country
- Founding attorney Elizabeth Franklin-Best focuses exclusively on federal criminal defense
- We use our knowledge of federal court procedure, constitutional protections, and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines to craft an effective federal defense
- Our firm regularly handles cases investigated by federal agencies and prosecuted by United States Attorney’s Offices throughout California’s federal districts
- We provide personalized representation and defense strategies that are unique to the facts of your case
Contact our office today to schedule a confidential consultation with a California federal criminal defense attorney. We are ready to stand up for you at every stage of your case.
What is a Federal Crime?
A federal crime is any offense that violates a law passed by the United States Congress. These cases are prosecuted in federal court and are investigated by federal law enforcement agencies (rather than local or state police).
Federal jurisdiction typically arises when:
- Criminal conduct crosses state or international boundaries
- The offense involves federal property, federal programs, or federal officials
- A federal agency leads the investigation
- The alleged conduct affects interstate or international commerce
- The case involves violations of federal regulatory statutes or programs
In California, federal investigations are frequently conducted by:
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division (IRS-CI)
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- And other specialized federal bodies
In most federal criminal cases, prosecutors must present evidence to a grand jury and obtain a formal indictment before charges proceed.
Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., Handles All Types of Federal Crime Cases in California
Federal criminal law covers hundreds of statutes that address everything from sophisticated financial schemes to narcotics distribution networks. At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we represent individuals and organizations facing any and all federal criminal allegations. We have an extensive background in handling white-collar and financial crime defense, in particular.
We defend clients facing charges and investigations involving:
- Mail fraud and wire fraud
- Health care fraud and Medicare or Medicaid fraud
- Securities fraud and investment-related financial crimes
- Money laundering
- Federal tax offenses and IRS criminal investigations
- Computer crimes, hacking, and cybercrime
- Bank fraud and mortgage fraud
- Child exploitation offenses
- Drug trafficking and large-scale distribution conspiracies
California is one of the most active states in the country for federal criminal enforcement. Many individuals first become aware of a federal investigation not through a formal arrest, but through a grand jury subpoena, the execution of a search warrant, or the seizure of electronic devices.
If you are being investigated or have been charged with a federal crime, it is critical to contact a federal defense attorney immediately — before speaking to investigators or responding to any government requests.
What Penalties Do Federal Criminal Cases Carry?
Federal criminal convictions in California can carry severe and life-altering penalties. Unlike state court sentencing, which can vary significantly depending on the judge and jurisdiction, federal sentencing is largely governed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines offer a structured sentencing framework that largely restricts judicial discretion and frequently results in substantial prison terms.
Key factors that influence federal sentencing include:
- The nature and severity of the underlying offense
- The defendant’s prior criminal history
- The scope of relevant conduct connected to the charged offense
- Specific sentencing enhancements that can dramatically increase a recommended sentence
- Whether the defendant accepted responsibility or cooperated with the government
Beyond incarceration, federal convictions can also result in substantial fines, extended periods of supervised release, mandatory restitution payments to victims, and forfeiture of assets connected to the alleged offense. In financial crime cases, restitution orders alone can reach into the millions of dollars.
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we know how to challenge enhancements or argue for downward departures that can make an enormous difference in the outcome of your case. Our goal is to pursue every available avenue for mitigating the penalties you face.
Do Federal Criminal Convictions in California Come With Collateral Consequences?
The impact of a federal conviction does not end when a prison sentence is served. For many people, the collateral consequences of a federal conviction can touch every aspect of their personal and professional lives.
Even after completing a federal sentence, you may face:
- Difficulty securing employment due to mandatory background checks
- Loss of professional licenses or certifications in certain fields
- Restrictions on your housing opportunities and access to credit
- Ineligibility for certain federal benefits, contracts, or assistance programs
- Lasting damage to your personal and professional reputation
- Restrictions on your firearm ownership and Second Amendment rights
- Barriers to international travel
- Severe immigration consequences for non-citizens, including deportation or permanent bars to naturalization
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we fight to protect your future and minimize the seriousness of any possible collateral consequences to your career, reputation, and life.
What Defenses Are Available in Federal Criminal Cases in California?
Federal prosecutors must prove every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. This is the highest standard in the American legal system. A skilled defense attorney can identify weaknesses in the government’s case and present alternative narratives that create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors or persuade a judge to dismiss charges entirely.
Depending on the specific facts of your case, one or more of the following defenses may apply:
Violations of Your Constitutional Rights
Federal agents conducting investigations in California must comply with strict constitutional requirements during searches, seizures, and interrogations. If investigators violated rights through an unlawful search, a coerced statement, or a denial of your right to counsel, the resulting evidence may be inadmissible in court.
Suppressing unlawfully obtained evidence can significantly weaken or even spoil the government’s case.
Lack of Intent or Knowledge
A large number of federal statutes require the government to prove that you acted knowingly, willfully, or with specific criminal intent. If you were unaware that your conduct was illegal or acted in good faith, you may have a defense.
A lack of criminal intent can weaken white-collar and regulatory cases in particular.
Mistaken Identity or False Allegations
Federal investigations are complex and can span years. They can feature thousands of documents, dozens of witnesses, and extensive surveillance. In some cases, investigators draw incorrect conclusions or rely on testimony from unreliable witnesses.
Your lawyer can carefully analyze inconsistencies in witness accounts and present alternative explanations to the conduct charged.
Entrapment
Entrapment occurs when government agents induce or pressure an individual to commit a crime they would not otherwise have committed. This defense may be available in cases involving undercover operations, informants, or sting operations that crossed the line to inducement.
Duress or Coercion
Some individuals engage in federal criminal conduct because they were threatened, coerced, or left with no reasonable alternative. When a person breaks the law under fear of serious harm to themselves or others, duress may serve as a defense.
At Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., we build defense strategies tailored to the specific facts of your case. Our approach includes challenging the government at every stage and asserting all relevant and persuasive defenses that cast reasonable doubt on your guilt.
Contact Our California Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers for a Confidential Consultation
A federal criminal charge in California puts your freedom and your future at risk. Waiting to seek legal representation is a risk you cannot afford to take. Elizabeth Franklin-Best, P.C., provides the dedicated federal criminal defense representation that you deserve in this critical moment.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation with a California federal criminal defense attorney. We are ready to protect your rights and defend your future.
