Federal Cases Built on Focused Preparation
Federal Criminal Trial Practice for individuals facing investigation, indictment, or prosecution in Federal District Courts throughout New England.
Federal prosecutors rarely charge until an investigation is well advanced. By the time an indictment is returned, the FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, HSI, or another agency may have spent months building its case. Attorney George represents individuals at every stage, from the first agent contact, target letter, or grand jury subpoena through indictment, trial, sentencing, and appeals in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and other New England Federal District Courts and Circuits.
Whether to speak with agents, respond to a subpoena, or consider a proffer are decisions with lasting consequences. Each should be made with counsel, before the first conversation with the government, not after.
Federal detention hearings under the Bail Reform Act, discovery, and suppression motions follow the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, not state practice. Each case is prepared on the assumption that it may be tried.
Most federal cases are decided at sentencing. Guidelines calculations, especially loss amounts and enhancements in fraud cases under §2B1.1, can add years. Contesting those numbers and building a full mitigation case under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) is a core part of this practice.
The questions below address what clients commonly ask when they first learn they are under federal investigation or have been charged in federal court.
Common Questions About Federal Criminal Defense
What happens during the initial consultation for a federal criminal matter?
The consultation focuses on understanding the current stage of your case, what contact you have had with federal investigators or prosecutors, and what documentation or correspondence you have received, so that an informed assessment of next steps can be made.
How is defense strategy developed for a federal indictment?
Strategy is built from a review of the indictment, the superseding charges if any, and the discovery materials the government is required to produce, with particular attention to how the charged conduct is defined and what the government must prove at trial.
When should someone contact a federal criminal defense attorney?
Contact should happen as early as possible—ideally before any voluntary interview with federal agents, because statements made during those interviews can be used against you regardless of whether you are under formal investigation at the time.
Why does federal court in Boston present specific procedural considerations?
The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts follows local rules that govern filing deadlines, motion practice, and courtroom procedures, and familiarity with how matters are handled at the Moakley Courthouse affects how preparation is prioritized.
What factors affect how long a federal case takes to resolve?
The complexity of the charges, the volume of discovery, the number of co-defendants, and whether pretrial motions require evidentiary hearings all affect the pace of federal proceedings, which typically move on a schedule set by the assigned district judge.
Robert A. George Attorney & Counselor At Law is available to speak with individuals who have received a federal grand jury subpoena, been contacted by federal agents, or are facing charges in federal court. Call (508) 776-1220 to arrange a consultation and discuss the specifics of your matter.