Overview
A federal case is not simply a bigger version of a state case. The investigators are federal agencies — the FBI, DEA, ATF, HSI, IRS, Secret Service, and others — with substantial resources and the patience to build a case for months or years before anyone is charged. The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs), and the case proceeds in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which covers Miami-Dade, Broward, and the surrounding counties.
Piotrowski Law Firm represents people who are under federal investigation or who have been charged with a federal offense across South Florida. Because the stakes are high and the procedures are unforgiving, federal matters demand counsel who understands how this system actually works.
How federal court differs from state court
The differences are not cosmetic — they shape strategy from the first day:
- The prosecutor. An AUSA, backed by the U.S. Department of Justice, brings the charges — not a local state attorney. Federal prosecutors tend to charge selectively and only when they believe a case is strong.
- The grand jury. Most serious federal charges arrive by way of a grand jury indictment. Grand jury proceedings are secret, one-sided, and often the first public sign that an investigation has matured into a case.
- Detention hearings. Federal court does not use a standard bail schedule. Instead, a magistrate judge holds a detention hearing under the Bail Reform Act to decide whether you are released or held pending trial — an early, high-stakes proceeding that can set the tone for the entire case.
- The Sentencing Guidelines. If there is a conviction, sentencing is heavily influenced by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which calculate a recommended range from the offense conduct and criminal history. Many federal statutes also carry mandatory minimum sentences. Although the Guidelines are advisory, they anchor nearly every federal sentence.
- Discovery and pace. Federal cases often involve enormous volumes of documents, wiretaps, and forensic data, and they move on a disciplined schedule set by the court.
Why early intervention matters
The single most valuable thing in many federal cases is time — used early. If you have been contacted by a federal agent, received a target or subject letter, been served with a grand jury subpoena, or learned that people around you are being questioned, the investigation is already underway. What you do in that window can shape everything that follows.
- Do not talk to agents without counsel. Agents are trained interviewers, and making a false statement to a federal officer is itself a separate crime. Politely decline and ask to have your lawyer present.
- Preserve, do not destroy. Deleting messages or documents once you suspect an investigation can lead to obstruction charges. We help you respond to subpoenas and preserve material the right way.
- Engage the prosecutor early. In the right case, defense counsel can open a dialogue with the AUSA before charges are filed — sometimes influencing whether, or how, a case is brought at all.
How we defend federal cases
We prepare every federal matter as if it is going to trial, because that preparation creates leverage at every other stage:
- The investigation. We examine how the evidence was gathered — searches, warrants, wiretaps, and informants — and move to suppress what was obtained unlawfully.
- Detention. We fight for release on conditions so you can participate fully in your own defense.
- The Guidelines. We scrutinize every component of the Guidelines calculation and argue the factors under 18 U.S.C. §3553(a) for a sentence below the recommended range where the facts support it.
- Negotiation and trial. We pursue the best available resolution — and stand ready to try the case to a jury when that is the right path.
Talk to a Miami federal defense attorney today
In federal cases, the earlier you have experienced counsel, the more options you are likely to have. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and our phones are answered 24/7. Request a consultation.
This page provides general information about federal criminal defense and is not legal advice. Laws and the Sentencing Guidelines change, and every case is different. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.