What to Do When Facing Federal Charges — Your Defense Starts Now
Co-Founding Partners
Texas Bar verified. Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) are the co-founding partners of L and L Law Group, PLLC — based at 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101 in Frisco, Texas (Collin County), with many 5-star Google reviews, and available 24/7 for criminal defense consultations.
Bottom line up front: Federal cases for DFW residents are prosecuted in TXND or TXED under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. Pre-indictment counsel during the target-letter window is the most valuable defense leverage — many federal cases resolve without indictment when handled correctly.
Texas legal context
- Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266), co-founding partners of L and L Law Group, appear personally on every what to do when facing federal charges — your defense starts now case. Office: 5899 Preston Rd, Suite 101, Frisco, Texas. Direct line: (972) 370-5060.
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054(a) lists offenses ineligible for judge-recommended probation ("3g offenses"). Where what to do when facing federal charges — your defense starts now touches this list, jury-recommended probation under § 42A.054(b) remains possible.
- For the canonical L and L Law Group reference framework on Texas criminal procedure, see the defense process Guidebook covering investigation, arrest, bond, trial, sentencing, appeals, and record-clearing.
- Texas statute of limitations under CCP Article 12.01 varies by offense. Most misdemeanors carry a 2-year limit; most felonies a 3-year limit; many sexual offenses against children have no limitation. SOL analysis applies to every what to do when facing federal charges — your defense starts now case touching older conduct.
- Texas criminal cases involving what to do when facing federal charges — your defense starts now require careful analysis of the specific facts, the controlling Texas Penal Code or Code of Criminal Procedure section, and the county prosecution practices. At L and L Law Group, our analysis begins with the indictment or information and walks back through the investigation.
Authored by L and L Law Group, PLLC. (972) 370-5060. info@landllawgroup.com.
Facing federal charges is one of the most stressful experiences anyone can go through. The penalties are severe, the timeline is fast, and the federal system operates very differently from state court. Because of this, understanding what to do when facing federal charges can immediately improve your chances of protecting your freedom and your future.
Below are the three critical steps you must take the moment you learn you are under federal investigation or have been charged.
1. Stay Silent — Do Not Answer Agents’ Questions
When federal agents approach you, staying silent is your strongest protection. They may sound polite or casual, but their questions are strategic. Agents ask simple things to lock in timelines, compare statements, and build their case.
Even innocent answers can be used against you later.
You are not required to explain anything. You do not have to answer. You simply need to say:
“I am invoking my right to remain silent. I want a lawyer.”
This protects your rights from the very beginning.
2. Hire a Lawyer With Real Federal Court Experience
The next step is hiring the right lawyer. Federal court has stricter rules, harsher sentencing, and far more prepared prosecutors than most people realize. You need an attorney who handles federal cases regularly—not just someone who practices state criminal law.
A federal defense lawyer understands:
How federal agencies build cases
How indictments are structured
What evidence prosecutors rely on
How plea negotiations work
Which defenses succeed in federal court
Having an experienced federal attorney from day one can prevent mistakes and give you a stronger position against the government.
3. Start Building Your Defense Immediately
Federal prosecutors often investigate for months or years before making an arrest. By the time you find out you are a target, the government already has documents, surveillance, statements, and digital evidence prepared.
Because of that, you cannot wait.
Your defense needs to start immediately, including:
Reviewing the evidence
Challenging illegal searches
Identifying weaknesses in the government’s case
Protecting you from further questioning
Preparing a strategy before the prosecution gains more ground
In federal court, time is your most valuable resource—and you cannot afford to lose it.
Why Immediate Action Matters in Federal Cases
Every day matters. Deadlines arrive fast, prosecutors move quickly, and the system does not slow down for anyone. Knowing what to do when facing federal charges gives you the tools to protect yourself when the stakes are highest.
Contact L & L Law Group Today
If you or someone you care about is facing federal charges, the most important decision you will make is hiring the right lawyer.
L & L Law Group is equipped to defend you from day one. Their attorneys have real federal experience, understand how prosecutors operate, and know how to build strong defenses under pressure.
Your future deserves serious protection.
Your defense starts now.
Key Legal Terms
- USSG (U.S. Sentencing Guidelines)
- Advisory federal sentencing framework calculating offense level + criminal history category to produce a range. Post-*Booker* (543 U.S. 220, 2005), judges may vary under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors — but Guidelines remain the starting point.
- Safety Valve
- 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f) provision allowing eligible drug-offense defendants to fall below mandatory-minimum sentences. Post-First Step Act (2018), eligibility extends to criminal history under 4 points. Requires complete debriefing and no leadership/violence.
- Target Letter
- Pre-indictment notice under DOJ Justice Manual § 9-11.150 informing recipient they are the target of a federal grand jury investigation. Offers the opportunity to testify and retain counsel before charging — the critical pre-indictment window.
- 5K1.1 Motion
- Government motion under USSG § 5K1.1 for downward departure in exchange for substantial assistance. The most powerful sentencing tool in federal practice — converts pre-indictment cooperation into a below-Guidelines sentence at the government's discretion.
In our practice defending Texas criminal cases, we have represented clients in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant County criminal courts on the full Texas Penal Code and Health & Safety Code spectrum. Reggie's prosecutor background in Dallas County means we know the State's evidentiary playbook; Njeri's trial-trained motion practice anchors the suppression-driven defense work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between federal and state criminal cases in Texas?
What is a federal target letter?
How are federal sentences calculated?
What is the safety valve in federal drug cases?
Can I get probation in a federal case?
References & Authoritative Sources
About the Authors
Charged with a crime in Texas? Talk to L and L Law Group.
Co-founding partners Reggie London (Texas Bar No. 24043514) and Njeri London (Texas Bar No. 24043266) personally handle every case. Free consultation. Frisco, Texas.
Call (972) 370-5060