CRIMINAL DEFENSE
What to Do First When Facing Federal Charges — Your Defense Starts Now
Verified Credentials
Reggie & Njeri London
Co-Founding Partners
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.
Quick Answer
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
- Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42A.054(a) lists offenses ineligible for judge-recommended probation ("3g offenses"). Where what to do first 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 first when facing federal charges — your defense starts now case touching older conduct.
- Texas criminal cases involving what to do first 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.
- In Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties, prosecutorial discretion shapes how cases like what to do first when facing federal charges — your defense starts now resolve. The first 30 days after arrest are critical — that is when pretrial diversion, bond conditions, and informal disposition are most flexible.
Authored by L and L Law Group, PLLC. (972) 370-5060. info@landllawgroup.com.
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.
Our Experience
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?
Federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney in TXND (Northern District) or TXED (Eastern District) and tried in federal court under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. State cases are prosecuted by the County or District Attorney under the Texas Penal Code. Federal sentences are typically longer, with no parole (abolished 1984).
What is a federal target letter?
A target letter under DOJ Justice Manual § 9-11.150 notifies the recipient that they are the target of a grand jury investigation. The letter offers the chance to testify and to retain counsel before indictment. Receiving a target letter is the critical pre-indictment window — immediate counsel retention is essential.
How are federal sentences calculated?
The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines (USSG) calculate a base offense level + specific offense characteristics + adjustments + criminal history category to produce an advisory range. Post-*United States v. Booker*, 543 U.S. 220 (2005), judges may vary under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) factors, but the Guidelines remain the starting point.
What is the safety valve in federal drug cases?
The safety valve under 18 U.S.C. § 3553(f) lets eligible defendants fall below mandatory-minimum sentences in drug cases. The First Step Act of 2018 expanded eligibility to defendants with up to 4 criminal-history points. Requirements include no violence, no leadership role, and a complete debriefing.
Can I get probation in a federal case?
Yes, but it is rare. Federal probation under 18 U.S.C. § 3561 is available for offenses where the Guidelines range falls in Zone A or B of the sentencing table. Most felony drug, weapons, and fraud cases land in Zone D where probation is unavailable as a stand-alone sentence.
References & Authoritative Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-13 by Njeri London and Reggie London, co-founding partners, L and L Law Group, PLLC. This content is reviewed for accuracy at least every 12 months and when statutory or case-law changes occur.
Attorney Advertising Disclosure. This content is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this content or contacting L and L Law Group, PLLC through this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
About the Authors
Njeri London
Co-Founding Partner
Texas Bar No. 24043266. Admitted: TXND, TXED, 5th Circuit. Thurgood Marshall School of Law. Focus: Fourth Amendment motion practice, drug-crime defense, federal cases. Verify on Texas Bar
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Reggie London
Co-Founding Partner
Texas Bar No. 24043514. Former Dallas County Assistant District Attorney. Extensive felony trial experience including DWI dockets. Verify on Texas Bar
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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.
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