San Francisco Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
The federal government prosecutes individuals and corporate entities throughout California, including San Francisco. If you or your business is under criminal investigation or has been indicted, you must seek legal representation from our experienced defense team immediately. Delaying this could have serious consequences.
The potential consequences of federal prosecution are significant and life-altering. Whether you are a corporate CEO, physician, healthcare professional, or high-level business executive, the threat of federal prison time, fines, or revocation of licensure is a matter of utmost seriousness.
Time is of the essence in federal investigations. Regardless of the type of federal criminal investigations or the stage of allegations you are facing, our federal defense lawyers are prepared and waiting to assist you.
Our federal criminal defense law firm, with its extensive experience, represents clients in federal court involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
You can trust in our proven track record and rest assured that you are in capable hands.
Are You The Target of an Investigation?
If you are facing federal criminal charges from the FBI, IRS, or DEA, or you suspect you might be the subject of a federal investigation, the decisions you make right now can potentially win or lose your case.
You must seek out defense counsel who can assist you in navigating the complex procedures of federal criminal law.
Our defense team, led by experienced federal defense lawyers, will work tirelessly to investigate your case, build a strong defense strategy, and represent you in court, ensuring your rights are protected at every step of the process.
If the government has not yet filed formal federal charges, you still have a chance of avoiding prosecution. We have successfully negotiated many cases and avoided charges being filed, which is our main goal in all cases.
Our federal criminal defense attorneys work to identify and expose potential holes in the government's case. These could include inconsistencies in witness testimonies, lack of credible evidence, or procedural errors. We have an outstanding track record of securing bonds for our clients in federal criminal cases.
An indictment does not mean you cannot secure a favorable outcome. We are committed to either negotiating a plea deal to minimize your consequences or persuading the prosecution that the indictment lacks sufficient evidence for the case to proceed and should be dropped. There is always a chance for a positive resolution, and we are here to fight for it.
We Defense All Criminal Matters
Our San Francisco federal criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing all stages of federal investigations, including companies and individuals charged with offenses under Title 18 of the U.S. Code.
We also handle cases involving other federal statutes like the Controlled Substances Act, Securities and Exchange Act, and the Anti-Kickback Statute. We have extensive experience in federal investigations and prosecutions, involving allegations of any of the following:
- Bribery
- Embezzlement
- Public Corruption
- Computer and Internet Crimes
- Controlled Substance Offenses
- Conspiracy and Attempt
- Mail Fraud
- Wire Fraud
- Healthcare Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Tax Fraud
- Racketeering
- Counterfeiting
The FBI is the primary federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating cases involving computer crimes, internet crimes, and public corruption. They collaborate with additional federal and state law enforcement entities to prosecute individuals or organizations suspected of federal criminal activity.
The DEA leads all federal investigations linked to suspected federal drug crimes, including the manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances, like cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription medications. A DEA priority is diversion control and preventing the illegal distribution of opioids and prescription drugs.
The OIG is the law enforcement branch of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They are preserving the integrity of HHS initiatives as well as safeguarding the recipients of health and welfare programs.
They typically target fraudulent healthcare providers suspected of Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, and Department of Labor regulatory infractions.
Overview of the Northern District of California
Federal district courts serve as the trial divisions of the federal court system. They preside over cases for federal crimes, interstate civil actions, questions regarding Constitutional law, and other matters.
The United States District Court for the Northern District of California is one of four federal district courts serving the state. The others are the Central, Eastern, and Southern Districts. It is also one of 94 district courts serving the United States.
The four federal court districts in California are not strictly based on geographic sections of the state but rather are subdivided according to even population distribution.
The court hears cases in Eureka, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose courtrooms. Its headquarters are in San Francisco. Cases from the Northern District of California are appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
The Northern District serves 15 counties along the northern California coast, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake County, Marin, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Benito, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma.
Court Locations within the Northern District
The Northern District Federal Court is headquartered in San Francisco, with three additional locations as follows.
Phillip Burton Federal Building & United States Courthouse
450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: 415-522-2000
Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building & United States Courthouse
1301 Clay Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: 510-637-3530
Robert F. Peckham Federal Building & United States Courthouse
280 South 1st Street, Room 2112
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: 408-535-5363
Eureka-McKinleyville United States Courthouse
3140 Boeing Avenue
McKinleyville, CA 95519
Phone: 707-445-3612
How the Federal District Courts Work
The U.S. District Court serves as a trial court, the court of first instance for criminal and civil matters at the federal level.
Civil cases at these courts involve disputes between parties involving a federal question or diversity jurisdiction.
This means that the case must involve the U.S. government, two citizens from different states, foreign countries, and their citizens, or it must arise under federal law, such as bankruptcy cases, patent infringement, etc.
Criminal matters refer to violations of federal laws for which the government seeks to prosecute an individual. The District Court handles all cases of this type, including felonies and misdemeanors.
The United States Courts of Appeals hear appeals for the Ninth Circuit (San Francisco location).
Contact our Federal Defense Lawyers
Our experienced federal defense lawyers at the Hedding Law Firm are dedicated to representing defendants accused of federal crimes. We have a wealth of experience appearing before federal judges at the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
Our role is to provide you with comprehensive legal counsel, navigate the complexities of federal litigation, and establish an effective strategy to safeguard your interests.
We are prepared to assist you with your FBI, OIG, IRS, and DEA investigation. If your corporate entity or personal reputation is being targeted, we can utilize our knowledge of the complexities of federal litigation to establish an effective strategy to safeguard your interests.
As with any federal criminal case, you have the option to negotiate a plea deal. This process involves working alongside a San Francisco federal criminal defense lawyer to understand what options you have.
We can guide you through the negotiation process and potentially help you get the case dropped or minimize the consequences.
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