Understanding the Three Stages of Federal Criminal Prosecution

The federal criminal justice process can be broken down into three primary stages. We represent clients at each stage, deploying varying case strategies that are focused on the particular procedural, legal, and factual circumstances involved.

1. Federal Investigation

Most federal cases begin with an investigation. This investigation could last for days, weeks, or months, and it could involve one or multiple federal agencies and task forces. During the investigative stage, our primary goal is to prevent charges from being filed. If you aren’t charged, you can’t be convicted, and this means that you won’t be at risk for going to prison for a very long time.

2. Grand Jury Subpoena

At the federal level, criminal charges are issued through the grand jury process. Federal prosecutors must present their evidence to the grand jury, and the jurors are responsible for deciding whether there is “probable cause” to move forward with a criminal case. Executing a defense during the grand jury process is unique in many respects, and our Florida federal criminal defense attorneys have successfully defended numerous clients resulting in termination of the case without charges being filed.

3. Criminal Trial

If you get indicted by a federal grand jury, then your case will be set for trial. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will need to fight for your freedom in court. While we have an extensive federal trial record, our federal defense attorneys have also succeeded in getting indictments dismissed prior to trial and negotiating plea deals that have protected our clients from prison. Read more