Any criminal charge is serious and it's vitally important to have someone on your side that you trust to work in your best interest. Federal cases in particular can be complex and required expert experience. This specialization can be pricey, making a careful selection process even more important. When contacted by federal authorities in regards to a criminal investigation it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether you are being contacted as a potential witness or suspect and an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer can help you determine how to best handle this situation.
For several reasons, federal defense tends to involve cases that are difficult to defend. Because these cases tend to be of an interstate nature, they are more likely to be legally and factually complex. Also, the typical U.S. Attorney's office has considerably more time and resources to direct to a given prosecution than would a state prosecutor. Finally, federal prosecutors typically have better academic credentials than state prosecutors.
Therefore, in addition to assuring your lawyer is an experienced trial lawyer, It is highly recommended that when hiring an attorney to assist with federal criminal charges or grand jury proceedings you utilize someone who has significant experience with the federal system.
There a several sources available for identifying attorneys from referrals, courtroom observation to professional directories and organizations. Utilize these various sources to create a list of attorneys that you would like to meet with. Then check with their state bar association for both their discipline record and their professional leadership or involvement.
When choosing a federal criminal defense lawyer be sure to be prepared to get the most out of your initial consultation with them. Equip yourself with plenty of questions for them, in addition to bringing all of the documentation relating to your case and your legal history. You will want to ask them about their specific experience with cases like yours. Find out their win/loss percentage and how many of their cases make it to court. You can also ask them some general questions about the technical science involved in defending cases like yours.
At the consultation, a federal legal defense lawyer will review your expectations, the facts of the case and provide you with an outline of how the case will be handled. At this time they should be able to quote an estimated price for their anticipated services. Do not expect them to be able to answer the question "what are my chances?" as an attorney cannot make promises or guarantee results.