Houston Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Board Certified. Licensed in Federal Court. Ready to Fight Your Case.

Unlike state charges, federal crimes are investigated by federal agencies and prosecuted by the U.S. government, not Texas state prosecutors. These charges can carry lengthy prison sentences, substantial fines, and life-altering consequences. If you believe you may be under federal investigation, don’t wait. Contact an experienced Houston federal criminal defense lawyer who knows how to fight for you.

Schedule your consultation today with our Houston federal criminal lawyer by dialing (713) 597-2221 or contacting us online now.

Why Choose Our Houston Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers

Attorney Jed Silverman is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist as recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization (TBLS), a distinction held by fewer than 10 percent of Texas criminal defense attorneys. He holds a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating and has been named to the Super Lawyers® list.

Federal court admission isn’t automatic. Attorneys must apply separately to each district, and many criminal defense lawyers have never handled a federal case. Jed Silverman is licensed to practice in the Southern, Eastern, and Western District federal courts of Texas, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. That combination of Board Certification and multi-district federal access is a key differentiator for our firm when the stakes involve federal prosecution.

With thousands of cases handled, our team knows the strategies used against federal prosecutors. We aren’t intimidated by them, and we can take every step necessary to protect your rights. When you contact us, you engage directly with attorneys who are passionate about defense, not paralegals or case managers.

Types of Federal Crimes We Handle

Federal cases prosecuted in the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, are brought by U.S. Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys backed by agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and IRS. These prosecutors have substantial resources. We do too.

Our federal crime lawyers can help with charges such as:

• Federal drug offenses
• White collar crimes
• Internet crimes
• Child pornography
• Kidnapping
• Immigration crimes
• Weapons violations
• RICO charges
• Tax crimes
• Conspiracy
• Human trafficking
• Bank theft

What to Do After Being Charged With a Federal Crime

Here are a few basic things you need to understand after being charged with a federal crime:

1. Know what you’re up against – Federal charges aren’t ordinary criminal offenses. They’re investigated by agencies with enormous resources and prosecuted by U.S. and Assistant U.S. Attorneys who aggressively leverage every tool available as they pursue convictions. Federal procedure also differs from state court at every stage, from investigation and grand jury indictment through pre-trial motions, sentencing, and court supervision. Federal cases typically involve large-scale drug crimes, fraud committed against the government, crimes spanning multiple states or involving interstate transmission of funds or products, child pornography, organized crime, and similar serious offenses.
2. Know what’s at stake – Federal sentencing guidelines restrict judicial discretion, and mandatory minimum sentences can eliminate it entirely, often leading to harsher penalties than in many state court cases. A conviction can mean years in a federal correctional facility, followed by stringent supervised release. The collateral consequences, restrictions on professional licenses, firearms rights, and immigration status, can follow you long after your sentence ends. There is no overstating what is at stake in a federal case.
3. Choose the right federal defense attorney – Not every criminal defense attorney can practice in federal court. Admission to each federal district requires a separate application, and some lawyers never handle a federal case because of the complexity and high stakes involved. Attorney Jed Silverman is licensed in all Texas state courts and in Missouri, as well as in the Southern, Eastern, and Western District federal courts of Texas, the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. His breadth of admission means your defense is not limited by where the case is filed.

If You’re Under Federal Investigation, Don’t Wait to Act

A federal investigation can run for months or years before an arrest or indictment. By the time a target letter arrives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office or a grand jury subpoena is served, investigators have often already built a substantial case. That window between investigation and formal charges is precisely when early legal intervention matters most.

Contacting our firm before charges are filed gives us time to assess the scope of the investigation, advise you on responding to any contact from investigators, and identify options that may no longer exist once an indictment is entered. Speaking to federal agents without a lawyer, even when told you’re not a target, carries real risk. We can help you understand what the investigation means and what to do next.

Understanding the Federal Criminal Defense Process

Federal cases move through a distinct procedural sequence that differs from state court at every stage. At the Bob Casey United States Courthouse in Houston, Southern District cases proceed from initial appearance before a magistrate judge through arraignment, pre-trial motions, discovery, and trial. Our team guides clients through each phase.

Key stages of the federal criminal defense process include:

• Investigation and arrest
• Arraignment and bail hearings
• Pre-trial motions and discovery
• Trial preparation and strategy
• Appeals and post-conviction relief

Federal discovery obligations are governed by the Jencks Act, Brady v. Maryland, and Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 16. Pre-trial motions can challenge the indictment, seek suppression of evidence, or contest the government’s legal theories before a jury ever hears the case. If a conviction follows, direct appeals to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals remain available. Given the collateral consequences a federal conviction can carry, restrictions on professional licenses, firearms rights, and immigration status, every stage of the defense is worth contesting carefully.

Contact Our Houston Federal Defense Team Today

Federal charges demand immediate action. The sooner you contact The Law Offices of Jed Silverman, the more time we have to examine the evidence against you and build a strong defense. Schedule your consultation today.

Call (713) 597-2221 or contact us online to speak with a Houston federal criminal defense lawyer about your case.