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Brooklyn Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

Free, confidential consultation with a former Kings County prosecutor. Available 24/7 at 646-453-4001.

Federal cases are a different world. Different rules, different prosecutors, different sentencing math, and far higher stakes. The Eastern District of New York courthouse sits at 225 Cadman Plaza East in Brooklyn, blocks from our office, and Spahija Law defends clients there and in the Southern District of New York. Amel Spahija coordinated with federal law enforcement partners during his years as a state prosecutor and understands how joint investigations become federal indictments. If you are facing this charge in Brooklyn, call 646-453-4001 for a free, confidential consultation, available 24 hours a day.

Federal Charges We Defend

Common federal prosecutions arising out of Brooklyn include:

  • Wire fraud, mail fraud, and bank fraud under 18 U.S.C. 1341, 1343, and 1344.
  • Felon in possession under 18 U.S.C. 922(g), often adopted from state gun cases.
  • Narcotics conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. 841 and 846, with weight driven mandatory minimums.
  • Money laundering under 18 U.S.C. 1956.
  • Racketeering and RICO conspiracy under 18 U.S.C. 1962.
  • Immigration offenses, identity theft, and tax charges.

How Federal Cases Differ

Federal sentencing is driven by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, mandatory minimums, and the near total absence of parole. Federal prosecutors typically indict only after a long investigation, which means the government often has wiretaps, cooperators, and financial records before you know a case exists. If you receive a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or a visit from federal agents, the most important decisions in your case happen before any arrest.

How We Defend Federal Cases

  • Pre indictment advocacy. Engaging the AUSA before charges are filed can change what gets charged, or whether anything gets charged at all.
  • Suppression litigation. Wiretap orders, search warrants, and device searches all have federal suppression standards we litigate aggressively.
  • Guidelines strategy. Loss amounts, drug weights, role adjustments, and criminal history categories are all contested terrain that moves sentences by years.
  • Cooperation decisions handled carefully. Whether and how to engage with the government is the most consequential decision in many federal cases. We walk through it with total candor.
  • Trial readiness. The government's leverage depends on the belief that you will plead. Genuine trial preparation changes negotiations.

What Happens After the Arrest

Federal cases in Brooklyn proceed in the Eastern District of New York at 225 Cadman Plaza East. After arrest or summons, you face a detention hearing under the Bail Reform Act, then discovery, motions, and either resolution or trial. Timelines are longer than state court and the paper volume is enormous. We staff these cases for the long haul.

Related Charges We Defend

Brooklyn cases rarely involve a single charge. Prosecutors stack counts, and this one often travels with white collar matters, drug charges and sex offense allegations. When a case carries several counts, the defense has to answer all of them at once rather than one at a time. You can see every charge we defend in Brooklyn or read how felony and misdemeanor levels differ.

Why a Former Prosecutor Matters

As a former Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn and Staten Island, Amel Spahija evaluated cases exactly like yours from the other side of the table. He knows how the DA's office weighs the evidence, when it reduces charges, and where its cases break. Read about the former prosecutor advantage, then see our recent Brooklyn case results.

Frequently Asked Questions

I received a target letter. What do I do?

Do not respond, do not talk to agents, and do not testify in the grand jury without counsel. Call a federal defense lawyer immediately. The pre indictment window is where the most damage can be prevented.

What is the difference between state and federal charges?

Different prosecutors, different courts, different sentencing rules. Federal sentences are guideline driven with mandatory minimums and no parole. Some conduct can be charged in either system, and occasionally both.

Can my state gun case go federal?

Yes. Brooklyn gun cases involving prior felonies are regularly adopted by the EDNY under 18 U.S.C. 922(g), where the sentencing exposure is often higher.

Do federal cases ever get dismissed?

Yes, through suppression wins, proffer outcomes, declinations after pre indictment advocacy, and trial acquittals. But the earlier counsel gets involved, the more paths exist.

Free Consultation

The earlier we get involved, the more options exist. Call 646-453-4001 for a free consultation with a our criminal defense firm, or book 30 minutes with Amel directly.

Arrested or Under Investigation? Talk to a Former Prosecutor Today.

Free, confidential consultations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The earlier we get involved, the more options you have.

646-453-4001 Book 30 Mins with Amel for Free