Texas Federal Criminal Attorneys

Are You Looking for the Best Texas Federal Criminal Attorneys?

If you’re looking for the best Texas Federal Criminal Attorneys, then we want to represent you. As you can see from our website, our award-winning attorneys have significant experience, and we have the victories to prove our effectiveness.

In addition to our notable high-profile victories, our history of success also includes representation of numerous high-profile clients. Many of our biggest wins involved disposing of these cases quietly and out of the sight of the public.

We’re not just federal criminal defense lawyers. We are warriors fighting unjust and corrupt government prosecutions with a history of success and a reputation for tenacity, courage and legal ingenuity.

Whether you have already been arrested or not, the most important thing for you to do is to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to defend you against the onslaught of prosecution by the government. You are not guilty unless and until the U.S. Attorney proves its case in court. When you are ready to fight your federal criminal case with us, call us or book a consultation today.

If the federal government is prosecuting you, you will face the full force of the federal government with its deep resources and vast array of experienced investigators and attorneys. But this does not make the United States prosecutors infallible. When a figure as powerful as the United States Attorney accuses you of a crime, you must stand up for your constitutional rights with an experienced federal criminal attorney. We can help you stand up to the government’s prosecution and defend yourself in any federal criminal prosecution.

Choosing The Right Texas Federal Criminal Attorney Can Make A Huge Difference In Your Case Result

We are experienced in defending people accused of high-level federal crimes and taking on federal law enforcement agencies, facing off with agencies like the FBI and Secret Service in federal court. The United States of America uses immense resources in prosecuting people accused of federal crimes, often using a several different agencies to investigate (the FBI, the ATF, Secret Service, DHS and others). If you are under investigation, or if you are being threatened with prosecution by federal agencies, you should consider hiring us immediately to protect your rights.

Find an answer to one of the frequently asked questions about our federal criminal defense practice below.

I’ve been charged with a federal crime. What should I do? How can I defend myself against a federal criminal charge?

If the government has charged you with a federal criminal offense, you need to immediately contact a federal defense attorney. Do not talk to any law enforcement officer without an attorney.

Getting the best result in a federal criminal case requires being fully prepared for all hearings and court settings – not just trials. When you hire us as your federal criminal defense attorneys, we prepare early and thoroughly. As soon as we get on a case, the U.S. Attorney’s Office knows that we are getting ready for trial and that we are going for an outright acquittal.

But the preparation often starts even before the case begins. From the moment that the police initiate an investigation or make an arrest, we have work to do. If you want to win your case, then we must do our own investigation. The federal government has police and investigators of their own working for them to gather evidence to support their case. We can’t afford to let their evidence stand uncontroverted.

As a client, you will benefit from the investigative resources of the entire law firm. We have a team of dedicated professionals, including paralegals, investigators, and forensic experts. Our attorneys utilize our team’s extensive investigative experience to perform the ground work that makes our cases strong.

What are the differences between federal crimes and state crimes?

The United States Code lists and defines all federal crimes. The United States Congress creates this US Code by passing laws. Title 18 of the United States Code is the portion of federal law that deals specifically with federal criminal law. State crimes are offenses that are listed and defined in state codes, such as the Texas Penal Code.

Federal crimes and state crimes also differ in that different agencies investigate and prosecute them. Federal law enforcement investigates federal crimes, while state law enforcement agencies investigate state crimes. The U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal crimes in federal district courts, whereas Texas district attorneys prosecute state crimes in state courts.

Who investigates Federal Crimes? Who prosecutes Federal Crimes?

The United States Attorney (the U.S. Attorney) prosecutes federal crimes. The President of the United States delegates the job of prosecuting federal crimes by appointing U.S. Attorneys throughout the country. U.S. Attorneys generally have authority to prosecute crimes in a specific region of the country, usually tied to a federal district court. The appointed U.S. Attorney of that region hires a staff of career Assistant U.S. Attorneys to carry out the prosecutions.

Federal law enforcement agencies that investigate federal crimes include the FBI, Secret Service, ATF, DHS, and the SEC. Many of these agencies seek and receive cooperation from local and state law enforcement agencies. Accordingly, when federal law enforcement make an arrest, they usually do so with the assistance of local law enforcement.

Federal district court judges have authority to hear criminal cases brought to them by the U.S. Attorneys. The federal criminal justice system operates separately from and in parallel with the Texas criminal justice system. A defendant may face prosecution by either or both Texas and federal authorities. Winning in state court (or taking a plea deal in state court) does not guarantee that you will not be prosecuted for federal crimes related to the same alleged offense.

When do I need to hire a federal criminal defense attorney?

Yes, you need an attorney. Do not plead guilty without contacting a federal criminal defense attorney. As a federal criminal defense lawyer, I can advise you on the your rights, attempt to negotiate a lesser charge or lighter sentence or recommend to you that you fight the government in a federal trial.

You should hire a federal defense attorney as soon as you are aware that you are under investigation for a federal criminal offense. The sooner you contact us, the sooner you will be able to fully understand what steps to take next in defending yourself. The more time we have to prepare your defense strategy, the better. It requires both time and expertise to craft a winning federal criminal defense strategy.

What are the Federal Sentencing Guidelines? How do the Federal Sentencing Guidelines work?

Contained in the United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual, the federal sentencing guidelines are rules that federal judges use to determine suggested punishments for federal crimes. The sentencing guidelines take many factors into account. Those factors include the nature of the federal criminal offense, details about the particular offense like the amount of money involved, the role of the person who was convicted and person’s criminal record (in state and federal courts). The sentencing guidelines are not mandatory. However, federal judges use them as a tool to help determine an appropriate sentence.

Should I take the plea bargain agreement that I was offered? Is this a good deal? Do I need a federal criminal defense attorney if I am going to plead guilty?

If you have specific questions about a plea bargain that was offered to you, you need to discuss it with your Texas federal criminal attorney. If your current attorney is recommending that you accept a plea bargain, but you want a second opinion, you may obtain a second opinion from another criminal defense attorney. However, it is often difficult to render legal advice about the wisdom of entering a plea deal unless an attorney has had an opportunity to review the evidence involved in the case along with the plea paperwork.

No matter what, you should never accept a plea bargain unless you are comfortable with it. You must completely understand your options and all of the potential collateral consequences. Once you have plead guilty, you can generally not reverse it. Most plea offers waive your rights to appeal. Therefore, once you plead guilty and the judge sentences you, the conviction is final.

What are the most important traits of a federal criminal defense lawyer?

Federal criminal law is incredibly complex. To be effective in this field, federal criminal defense lawyers must have the experience, skill, and knowledge to defend their clients before a federal judge. In addition to their qualifications, accomplished federal criminal defense lawyers share a few important traits and qualities that equip them for success. If you’re facing federal criminal charges, your freedom depends on partnering with a competent criminal defense lawyer with extensive experience in federal law. In addition to hiring a lawyer with experience and a track record of positive case results, look for the following traits to help you choose a lawyer who you can trust to advocate for your rights and freedom.

Selecting the right defense attorney will lead to the best possible outcome for your case. Before coming to a decision, consider the following five traits of a skilled federal criminal attorney:

Perseverance

Federal criminal defense lawyers face significant hurdles imposed by the U.S. Attorney, federal investigators and courts. Investigating cases requires both patience and perseverance. A federal criminal lawyer with perseverance will do everything possible to acquire proof that helps their client’s case, despite any setbacks.

Analytical Skills

A successful federal criminal lawyer will be able to look at the case from all angles and consider the perspective of the prosecutor, judge, and jury when strategizing your defense. You want a defense attorney who can digest a wealth of information at once, understand it, and reach conclusions without hesitation.The ability to detect potential disadvantages before they turn into a problem will give you the best chance for a positive outcome. It’s not uncommon to experience a surprising turn of events during a federal criminal case, and it’s essential that your lawyer can react to them accordingly.

Excellent Communication Skills

Capable criminal defense lawyers possess great articulation. In a federal criminal trial, your attorney must have strong public speaking skills to persuasively argue your case before a judge or jury. Defense lawyers must also write a multitude of documents, so having strong writing skills and composing information clearly and concisely is paramount. Having excellent communication skills allows a federal criminal lawyer to effectively persuade judges and jurors.

Creativity

When you think about a federal criminal lawyer’s essential traits, creativity may not be the most obvious. However, the ability to devise inventive solutions to complicated legal disputes in each case is vital. A skilled lawyer is resourceful and thinks quickly to manage whatever may come up in your case. Creativity in litigating is an inherent trait that some lawyers excel at more than others. Be sure to look for this trait when hiring a skilled criminal defense lawyer.

Negotiation Abilities

A criminal defense lawyer with negotiation skills is effective and can provide you with the most value in your federal criminal case. A skilled negotiator understands that all parties must feel like they’ve reached a reasonable conclusion. This understanding ensures that you receive a favorable outcome that’s fair, practical, and effective. Similarly, a good Texas federal criminal attorney must understand the dynamics of the local U.S. Attoneys’ offices.

If you’re ready to discuss legal representation, schedule an consultation with Texas federal criminal attorney Paul Saputo. Or else you can apply for a free consultation here.

About Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense

If you want to hire us as your Texas Federal Criminal lawyers, you should probably get to know us!

The Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense Lawyers

Paul Saputo and Nicholas Toufexis are partners at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC and lead the entire trial team at the firm.

Mr. Saputo has practiced throughout Texas in more than fifty Texas state and federal courts and developed groundbreaking innovations in defense strategies and tactics.

Presently a member of the prestigious Texas Bar College, Mr. Saputo trains other lawyers in best practices and himself attends many hours of continuous legal education with some of the best lawyers, judges, and law professors in the country.

A graduate of the elite Duke Law School, Paul opened the firm with a focus on staying ahead of the legal and technological curve. In law school, he did not work for the district attorney’s office, he worked for a federal judge. He didn’t work on small cases when he started out, he worked on the largest and most technically-complex in the nation. Now, he leads the Texas trial team and brings the same ingenuity, courage and tenacity to the most technically complex and demanding cases. More about Paul Saputo…

Mr. Toufexis is a veteran of the United States Navy and a graduate of the law school as Southern Methodist University. He has dedicated his entire legal career to criminal defense, and has been with the firm since law school. Recently named a partner, Nick has achieved exceptional results in and out of court for years. More about Nick…

Awards

Numerous organizations have awarded Mr. Saputo recognition for his outstanding criminal defense work, for example:

• Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
• “10.0 – Top Attorney” rating on AVVO
• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Consistently recognized by D Magazine in “Best Lawyers” for Criminal Defense
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: White Collar practice area.

More Awards & Recognition…

Nicholas Toufexis has likewise received many distinctions as well.

• Recognized by Super Lawyers®
• Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for 2024 under the Criminal Defense: DWI/DUI practice area.

Paul Saputo was voted one of the Three Best Rated Criminal Defense Lawyers in Dallas

Victories

We have achieved several notable victories in the recent past, including dismissals in two technically-complex cases. In the Western District of Texas, El Paso, we obtained a dismissal for a federal Possession of Child Pornography case as a result of our Motion to Suppress Evidence. We also obtained a dismissal for a federal prosecution of Obscene Image Depicting Children in the Northern District of Texas after our filing a motion challenging the court’s jurisdiction and addressing first amendment violations.

In fact, the Texas federal criminal attorneys at Saputo Toufexis | Criminal Defense PLLC have obtained hundreds of victories in complex criminal litigation across Texas. Our victories include Not Guilty verdicts by jury acquittals, directed verdicts of Not Guilty, as well as both conditional and unconditional dismissals.

For descriptions and some details about more example victories, visit our page on Notable Victories.

Reviews

One example review from a real client:

Paul helped prove my fiance’s innocence! I like the fact that he is all about honesty and truth. We won our case and he did an excellent job in keeping my fiance informed throughout the process. Words cannot express how much we thank you!

– Real client review posted on Mr. Saputo’s Avvo.com profile.

See more client reviews and testimonials here.