Attorney Paul Saputo is an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer who has the expertise and resources to take on the best federal prosecutors in the United States. 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 such a powerful institution as the United States Attorney accuses you of a crime, you should stand up for your constitutional rights with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney. We can help you stand up to the United States and defend yourself in any federal criminal prosecution.

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 produced a dismissal for a federal Possession of Child Pornography case as a result of our Motion to Suppress Evidence. In the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth, we produced a dismissal for a federal prosecution of Obscene Image Depicting Children after our motion challenging jurisdiction and first amendment issues.

Not just 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

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

We have been recognized by numerous organizations, and more importantly, we have been recognized by our clients for providing exceptional outcomes in difficult cases when lives are on the line. Check out our reviews on websites like Avvo or Google or Facebook.

A graduate of Duke Law School, Paul was no stranger to being ahead of the legal and technological curve since he began his practice. 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. We don’t work for the government, we fight the government.

The United States Attorney (the U.S. Attorney) prosecutes federal crimes, and federal district court judges have authority to hear criminal cases brought to them by the U.S. Attorneys. The federal criminal justice system is separate from the Texas criminal justice system, and it is entirely possible that a defendant may face prosecution by either or both of Texas prosecution and federal prosecution, sometimes even for the same series of events. 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.

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 STF, 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. We are passionate about our federal criminal defense practice, and we aggressively represent our clients’ interests in federal courts across the country.

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?

You need to immediately contact a federal defense attorney if you have been charged with a federal crime. Do not talk to any law enforcement officer without an attorney.

What is the difference between federal crimes and Texas state crimes?

Federal crimes are offenses that are described by the United States Code, which is comprised of laws passed by the United States Congress. State crimes are offenses that are described by state criminal codes. In Texas, the most common source of state codes describing offenses is the Texas Penal Code. Title 18 of the United States Code is the portion of federal law that deals specifically with federal criminal law.

Federal crimes and state crimes also differ by the agencies that are responsible for investigating and prosecuting them. See the question below for more information on that topic. Another difference between these crimes are the courts that they are prosecuted in–federal criminal trials are held in federal district courts, whereas state criminal trials are held in state courts.

Who investigates Federal Crimes? Who prosecutes Federal Crimes?

The enforcement of all federal law, including the enforcement of federal crimes, is ultimately the authority of the President of the United States. The President delegates this law enforcement responsibility to federal investigative agencies such as the FBI, Secret Service, ATF, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) or the SEC. As a practical matter, many of these agencies seek and receive cooperation from local and state law enforcement agencies.

The President delegates the job of prosecuting federal crimes to 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) and the top U.S. Attorney of that region hires a staff of Assistant U.S. Attorneys to carry out the day-to-day operations of the office.

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

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, and the sooner we will be able to begin crafting your defense strategy. The sooner we are able to begin working for you, the better off your defense will be.

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

The federal sentencing guidelines are rules that federal district court judges use to determine a range of punishment for people who have been convicted of federal crimes. The United States Sentencing Guidelines Manual contains the rules that the judges use. There are many factors that the sentencing guidelines take into account, including 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, but federal judges use them as tools to determine an appropriate sentence.

Do I need a federal defense lawyer if I am going to plead guilty?

Yes, you need an attorney. Do not plead guilty without contacting a federal criminal defense attorney. As a federal 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.

Should I take the plea bargain agreement that I was offered? Is this a good deal?

If you have specific questions about a plea bargain that was offered to you, you need to discuss it. with your federal criminal defense 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 and completely understand your options and all of the potential consequences. Most of the time, it is nearly impossible to get out of a plea deal once it’s done.

What are the most important traits of a Federal Criminal 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 charges of a federal criminal offense, 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, be sure to look for the following traits to help you choose a lawyer who you can trust to advocate for your rights and freedom.

When choosing a federal criminal defense lawyer to represent you in your case, selecting the right one will lead to the best possible outcome. Before coming to a decision, consider the following five traits of a skilled federal criminal attorney:

1. 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.

2. Perseverance

In Federal Criminal Law, defense lawyers are often faced with hurdles and legal barriers formed by others in the legal action. Law enforcement and federal prosecutors can make obtaining evidence challenging. A federal criminal lawyer with perseverance will do everything possible to acquire proof that helps their client’s case, despite any setbacks.

3. 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.

4. 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 create 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 understand all facets of the case and prepare a robust defense.

5. 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. When hiring a criminal defense lawyer, keep in mind that this trait is crucial for a successful case.

Choosing the right attorney to represent you in federal criminal court will significantly impact the success of your case. Our lawyers, Paul Saputo and Nicholas Toufexis, defend individuals who are facing serious misdemeanors and felony charges in state and federal courts. Led by senior criminal defense lawyer Paul Saputo, our firm delivers excellent client satisfaction, as reflected in numerous 5-star reviews and awards, like a “10.0 – Top Attorney” rating with AVVO and a “10.0” rating on Justia.

If you’re ready to discuss legal representation, schedule an immediate consultation with federal criminal lawyer Paul Saputo, or else you can apply for a free consultation.