Federal cases are a different arena, with different rules, different stakes, and the resources of the United States government on the other side.
Federal prosecutions are typically investigated for months or years before charges are filed, which means the government arrives well prepared.
A federal case is not simply a bigger version of a state case. It is prosecuted by an Assistant United States Attorney, investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, or Homeland Security Investigations, and governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Sentencing is driven by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and many federal offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that limit a judge's discretion.
The federal system also uses grand juries to return indictments and relies heavily on cooperating witnesses and extensive documentary evidence. These features change how a defense is built from the very first contact with investigators.
Alec Kohn is admitted to practice before the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, which cover Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and the surrounding regions. He is also licensed in Washington, D.C., where the federal presence and the United States District Court for the District of Columbia play a central role in criminal matters.
Federal court has its own culture and expectations, and familiarity with its procedures matters. The firm handles federal matters with the seriousness they require.
Because federal investigations often precede charges, the most valuable work sometimes happens early, before an indictment, when it may still be possible to influence the government's charging decision. Where charges are filed, the defense focuses on the evidence, the applicability of the guidelines, the possibility of suppressing unlawfully obtained material, and every avenue to reduce exposure.
Alec Kohn brings trial experience and a prosecutor's understanding of how the government builds a case. You work directly with the attorney handling your matter, and the firm is available 24 hours a day.
The figures on this page are drawn from the following primary and secondary sources. Statutes and penalties change; this summary is reviewed by the firm and is not a substitute for legal advice on your specific matter.
