Los Angeles Federal Defense Attorneys

Our Los Angeles federal defense attorneys represent clients facing serious white-collar and drug-related charges in Los Angeles, CA. If you are under investigation or awaiting trial on criminal charges, call 888-680-1745 now for a free and confidential consultation.

Facing criminal charges in federal district court is an extremely serious matter. Your freedom could be in jeopardy, and your future as a business owner or executive, licensed professional, or public figure could be on the line. In order to protect yourself, you need to assert a strategic defense and you need to work with a team of experienced Los Angeles federal criminal defense attorneys who know what it takes to avoid life-altering consequences at trial.

At Oberheiden, P.C., we bring many years of experience and a well-established track record to defending clients in Los Angeles, CA. We have helped clients avoid charges during federal investigations, and we have helped clients secure “not guilty” verdicts at trial. Additionally, since many of our senior defense lawyers are former federal prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), we are intimately familiar with the federal government’s prosecution tactics as well.

Skilled Los Angeles Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Representing Clients Throughout California

We represent clients at all stages of the federal criminal justice process, from federal agency and task force investigations through appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Whether you are under investigation, awaiting trial in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, or need help to quickly assess your options for filing an appeal, our defense team can help you. We encourage you to contact our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys right away.

Call us 24/7 at 888-680-1745 to speak with an Los Angeles criminal defense attorney on our criminal defense team about your federal case.

1. Investigation

A significant portion of our practice involves representing clients during federal investigations. While there aren’t many things that are good about being targeted by federal authorities, one piece of good news is that, if you are still under investigation, this means that federal prosecutors do not yet have the evidence they need to seek an indictment.

When facing a federal investigation, it is critical to promptly intervene in order to disrupt the process and gather the information necessary to execute a strategic defense. This includes information such as:

• Why are you under investigation? Did the government initiate the investigation independently, or did it receive a tip from a whistleblower or confidential informant?
• Is the government targeting anyone else in the investigation? If so, are you each being targeted independently or are federal authorities seeking to identify you as part of a conspiracy?
• What are the specific factual allegations against you? Are you already being targeted for criminal prosecution, or could it be possible to keep your case civil in nature?
• How long has the investigation been ongoing? Are prosecutors close to seeking an indictment, or are federal agents still going off of the information that triggered the investigation?

The answers to each of these questions (among many, many more) will help determine the best strategy for your defense. With experience in well over 2,000 federal investigations, our attorneys can use their extensive knowledge and deep insights to analyze the government’s actions in your investigation and determine the best path forward.

2. Grand Jury

If a Department of Justice (DOJ), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), or other agency investigation reveals sufficient evidence to support criminal charges, the prosecutors overseeing the investigation will seek an indictment from a federal grand jury. If the grand jury determines that there is “probable cause” to file charges, it will issue an indictment and your case will be set for trial.

But, before any of this happens, you will be served with a grand jury subpoena. The subpoena will compel you to testify in front of the grand jury (and potentially produce records for inspection and review), and you will need to make sure you are thoroughly prepared.

You are not allowed to have your attorney present during your grand jury testimony. However, you are entitled to legal representation up until the moment you walk into the courtroom. If you need help, you can request the opportunity to speak with your attorney outside of the presence of the grand jury. From responding to your grand jury subpoena to preparing your testimony and providing representation in the federal district courthouse, our criminal defense attorneys can help you every step of the way.

3. Pretrial

In federal criminal litigation, pretrial practice involves conducting discovery, filing motions, attending hearings, and negotiating with federal prosecutors. The goals of pretrial practice are twofold: (i) to convince the U.S. Attorney’s Office to dismiss charges or negotiate a favorable plea; and (ii) to set the stage for a successful defense at trial.

4. Trial

Once the stage has been set and once it has become clear that the Assistant United States Attorneys prosecuting your case are not willing to negotiate a favorable plea, then it is time to take your case to trial. Our defense attorneys have represented clients in many criminal trials in Los Angeles, throughout California, and nationwide. If your case goes to trial, we will be ready to challenge the prosecution’s case from all angles and we will utilize a variety of aggressive defense strategies to fight for an acquittal on all charges.

5. Appeal

In addition to representing clients in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, we also represent clients before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The grounds (and timeframe) for challenging a criminal conviction or sentence are limited, and our appellate lawyers can quickly assess your options for filing an appeal.

Learn More about Your Case

While you can leave the most complex aspects of your defense up to us, most of our clients find it helpful to gain a basic understanding of the criminal justice process. If you would like to learn what you can expect during your case, we encourage you to read:

• What Are Conditions for Pretrial Release? – Find out what you need to know if you have been detained pending trial.
• Federal Grand Jury Subpoena Defense – Learn about some important considerations for responding to a grand jury subpoena.
• What Are My Options after Being Federally Indicted? – Find out what comes next after a federal grand jury issues an indictment.
• What Is the Burden of Proof in Federal Criminal Cases? – Learn what it takes for federal prosecutors to prove your guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
• How to Prepare for a Criminal Trial – Going to trial requires meticulous preparation and confidence that you will be successful. Learn how we prepare our clients’ cases for trial.
• How Can I Prepare for My Sentencing Hearing? – Learn how you can help reduce your risk of a substantial sentence after a conviction at trial.

Answers to FAQs about Defending against Criminal Charges in Los Angeles, CA

Contact Our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyers Now for Your Free Case Assessment

To schedule your free case assessment at Oberheiden, P.C., please call 888-680-1745 or contact us online. You can reach us 24/7, and we will arrange for you to speak with one of our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible.

Additional Pages for Los Angeles

• Los Angeles criminal trial / litigation
• Los Angeles tax fraud defense
• Los Angeles healthcare fraud defense
• Los Angeles home health compliance
• Los Angeles Medicare fraud defense
• Los Angeles White Collar Crime Attorneys