A federal criminal defense lawyer in Arlington, TX defends individuals and organizations against high-stakes charges in federal court – with potential outcomes like incarceration, financial ruin, and irreversible reputational damage.
Federal criminal cases in Arlington, TX follow an entirely separate path than cases in state court: they’re more aggressive, more procedurally demanding, and handled by seasoned federal prosecutors.
If you’re under investigation, have been indicted by a grand jury, or are already facing federal charges, don’t wait to begin your legal defense. Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, or IRS may already be building a case against you – and once they act, they want to move fast.
You don’t have to go through this alone, Combs Waterkotte‘s Arlington, TX federal criminal defense lawyers are ready to step in early with proven federal defense experience – rooted in real results and a record of federal wins. The sooner you call, the more we can do, and the sooner you can move on with your life.
Cases Handled
Over 10,000
Jail Days Saved
Over 1 Million
Google Reviews
400+ Perfect
Legal Experience
Over 60 Years
Article Summary
- Federal crimes are charged in federal court when they involve national interests, cross borders, or trigger involvement from agencies like the FBI or IRS.
- Common federal charges include drug trafficking, wire fraud, firearm violations, financial fraud, computer-related crimes, and tax offenses.
- Federal cases differ from state cases due to their stricter rules, longer sentences, and federal prosecutorial teams.
- The federal legal process includes investigation, indictment, arraignment, pretrial motions, plea negotiations, trial, and sentencing.
- Early legal intervention is critical – particularly if you’ve been questioned by agents, served with a subpoena, or suspect you’re under federal scrutiny.
- Our firm provides aggressive, experienced federal defense in Arlington, TX and offers immediate case evaluations and no-cost consultations to begin building your defense.
Free book
Facing Federal Criminal Charges? Why They’re Different and How to Win
Combs Waterkotte, Missouri and Southern Illinois’s leading federal criminal defense law firm, has handled over 10,000 cases successfully. This ebook guides you through the federal criminal defense process, how federal charges are different, and how to win.
What Makes a Crime in Arlington, TX “Federal”?
The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution reserves most criminal enforcement to individual states. In most cases, state courts handle offenses like theft, assault, or DUI.
But when a crime affects national interests, crosses state lines, or involves federal property or agencies, it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Your case may be prosecuted federally under the following conditions:
- It violates a federal statute such as those involving drug trafficking, wire fraud, or weapons offenses.
- It involves multiple states or crosses state lines, impacting commerce between states.
- It happens on federal property (like federal land, courthouses, or national parks).
- It targets the federal government, involving crimes against institutions like the IRS, federal courts, or elected officials.
- It involves serious, complex, or national-level criminal activity where national security, federal oversight, or coordinated enforcement applies.
Key takeaway:
What makes a crime federal isn’t just who’s involved — it’s how the entire legal system changes around it. They fall under an entirely separate legal process than TX’s state-level offenses. You deserve a lawyer who knows federal rules, judges, and how to protect your rights at every stage.
Common Federal Charges We Defend in Arlington, TX
The federal system handles an array of serious offenses — from large-scale fraud schemes to trafficking cases that span jurisdictions. While every type of charge has different legal challenges, they all pit you against a powerful federal prosecution.
At Combs Waterkotte, our federal criminal defense attorneys in Arlington, TX represent individuals facing charges like:
- Federal drug trafficking and distribution
Includes the manufacturing, sale, or transportation of controlled substances, especially when crossing state or national borders. - Federal wire fraud and federal mail fraud
Using electronic communications or mail to defraud individuals or institutions – often charged in business or investment-related cases. - Federal money laundering
Involves structuring or layering financial activity to hide the unlawful origin of assets. - Federal tax evasion and financial crimes
Occurs when individuals or businesses avoid paying federal taxes through deception or omission, often linked to broader fraud cases. - Federal weapons offenses
Covers firearm possession, sale, or transport when linked to other crimes or restricted individuals. - Federal child exploitation and federal child pornography offenses
Prosecuted aggressively in federal court, these cases require sensitive but strategic legal representation. - Federal cybercrimes
Computer fraud, identity theft, hacking, and data breaches – especially those affecting interstate commerce or federal interests. - Federal public corruption and bribery
Involves schemes to influence federal actions or decisions through illegal payments or favors. - Immigration-related offenses
Handled by federal prosecutors and often initiated by Homeland Security or ICE investigations.
To compare:
State-level charges often involve routine police work and local courtrooms, while federal charges like wire fraud can draw intense scrutiny from federal agencies and a federal grand jury. That difference in scale changes not just the risk, but how your defense must be built from day one.
How the Federal Criminal Process Works in Arlington, TX
Facing federal charges isn’t like facing charges in state court. In many cases, investigations start well before an arrest is made.
The federal prosecution process generally follows these steps:
Step 1: Investigation
Federal law enforcement investigations typically begin quietly and last for months. Agencies like the FBI, DEA, or IRS often track financial activity, gather electronic evidence, and build their case long before any charges are filed.
Most common mistake: Failing to involve a federal defense attorney in Arlington, TX as soon as you learn you’re being investigated. The earlier we’re involved, the more we can do to protect you.
Step 2: Indictment
Once federal prosecutors think they have a strong case, they take it before a grand jury.
An indictment signals that charges have been authorized, and for many, it’s the first sign they’re being targeted by the government.
Step 3: Arraignment and Pretrial Motions
You will be formally charged and asked to plead guilty or not guilty in federal court. At this stage, your attorney begins building your defense — potentially suppressing evidence, contesting the charges, or securing better pretrial conditions.
A proactive defense at this point can lead to full dismissal of charges before trial.
Step 4: Plea Negotiations or Trial
A plea deal is common in federal court — but it’s not the only path. We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, and we’re ready to present your defense when that day comes.
Trials in federal court demand sharp advocacy skills and an intimate knowledge of the Federal Rules of Evidence.
Step 5: Sentencing (if applicable)
Federal judges rely on detailed sentencing rules set by the Guidelines, considering both the harm done and your record.
Certain offenses come with non-negotiable minimum prison sentences.
Step 6: Appeals (if applicable)
If convicted, you may be able to appeal — but the process demands precision and thorough knowledge of federal appellate rules.
In summary:
The federal system is fast-moving and unforgiving in its structure. The government has already spent time preparing its case – and you deserve a federal criminal defense lawyer in Arlington, TX who will not back down from a fight, even against the might of the federal government.
How Our Arlington, TX Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Approach Federal Cases
Federal defense isn’t just about statutes — it’s about knowing when to act, how to apply pressure, and how to navigate a system built for the prosecution.
Our approach is built around early intervention, thorough investigation, and focused and aggressive client-centered advocacy.
Step 1: Early Intervention
Don’t wait until it’s too late — the right time to get legal help is before you’re formally charged. If you’ve received a target letter, grand jury subpoena, or visit from federal agents, it likely means an indictment is being prepared.
From day one, we engage prosecutors, protect your interests, and look for early opportunities to shift the course of your case.
Step 2: Strategic Investigation
We don’t wait for prosecutors to define the facts. We collaborate with private investigators, forensic analysts, and expert witnesses to find what the prosecution missed — and use it to your advantage.
Step 3: Realistic Negotiation
When the evidence is stacked and mandatory minimums loom, negotiating a favorable plea can prevent catastrophic sentencing.
Even during plea talks, we continue preparing for trial — because leverage comes from being ready to fight.
We provide the guidance, but you make the final call — fully informed and fully supported.
Step 4: Trial Readiness
If trial becomes unavoidable, you’ll have a team with real federal jury trial experience — not just negotiation skills. We cross-examine aggressively, shape compelling arguments, and deliver your defense with confidence in court.
Step 5: Sentencing Advocacy
A guilty verdict isn’t the end — we shift focus to minimizing the impact. Our team crafts persuasive sentencing arguments, emphasizing mitigating circumstances to secure the lowest sentence possible under — or outside — the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Free book
How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charged with a crime? The lawyer you hire matters. Combs Waterkotte, recognized for top-tier criminal defense in Missouri and Southern Illinois, created this guide to help you find the right attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
Why Choose Us as Your Arlington, TX Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers?
Federal cases demand a different level of skill — and not all Arlington, TX lawyers or law firms are built to handle that pressure. We do. Clients throughout Arlington, TX, have trusted us to defend them against aggressive federal investigations and devastating legal threats.
Why our firm stands out:
- Focused federal experience
We have a proven record of defending clients in federal court near Arlington, TX, and understand how local judges, prosecutors, and procedures operate. - Serious strategy, not surface-level support
We approach each case with a comprehensive strategy that accounts for federal processes and the specific facts involved — not cookie-cutter legal advice. - Responsive, personal service
To us, you’re not just a file — you’re a person who deserves access, clarity, and commitment. We stay in touch, answer questions promptly, and make sure you always know what’s happening. - Results that matter
Our track record includes dropped charges, smart plea deals, and not-guilty verdicts — real outcomes that have changed lives.
Take Action Now – Call a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Arlington, TX Now
Facing a federal investigation or indictment in Arlington, TX? Every second counts. From your first interaction with investigators to the final outcome, timing and strategy are everything.
We offer confidential, no-pressure consultations to help you understand your rights, your options, and what comes next. Whether you’re under federal investigation, have received a target letter, or are already facing indictment, you want Combs Waterkotte’s Arlington, TX federal criminal defense lawyers to start protecting your rights and your future immediately.
Reach out now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message — we’re ready to help you take the first step.
