Address: 2900 Bristol St., Suite C204 Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Available To Serve You Nationwide On All Federal Cases
This page was written, edited, reviewed & approved by Karren Kenney following our comprehensive editorial guidelines Karren Kenney, the Founding Partner, has 30+ years of legal experience as a criminal defense attorney.
Facing federal criminal charges can change your life fast. These cases usually involve long prison time, big fines, and serious damage to your name. Federal crimes are handled differently than state crimes. You'll deal with federal courts, federal prosecutors, and very strict rules. You need a lawyer who understands how federal cases work.
Kenney Legal Defense helps you fight back when you're facing federal charges in Orange County or anywhere in Southern California. Our team has years of experience handling complex federal cases. We guide you through each step, help you understand your rights, and build a strategic defense that fits your case.
Whether you're dealing with wire fraud, drug crimes, white collar crimes, or serious offenses like firearm or immigration violations, we have the legal skills and courtroom experience to fight for you. We offer simple explanations, strong legal representation, and a real plan to protect your future.
Federal criminal charges are not like regular state cases. They are usually more serious, involve more investigation, and come with longer prison time. You could be up against agencies like the FBI, HSI, DEA, or IRS, and federal prosecutors often have strong evidence built over months or even years. These are high-stakes situations where every detail matters.
At Kenney Legal Defense, our Orange County federal crimes lawyer has handled many of these complex cases. We understand how the federal court system works, from grand jury proceedings to sentencing guidelines. Whether the charge is related to white collar crimes like wire fraud or money laundering, or violent crimes and drug trafficking, we know how to build a defense that works.
We take each case seriously and work closely with you to make sure your rights are protected at every step. We don't just defend, we fight to win.
Federal charges can cover a wide range of criminal activity, but some offenses come up more often than others. Kenney Legal Defense regularly defends people in Southern California who face serious federal charges. These cases usually involve detailed investigations by federal agencies and can lead to years in prison if not handled properly.
Drug trafficking and conspiracy charges under 21 U.S.C § 841 and 21 U.S.C. § 846 are some of the most common federal crimes. These cases often involve large amounts of controlled substances, surveillance, and multiple people charged as part of a group. Even if you didn't actually move drugs yourself, you can still be charged if the government believes you agreed to help in any way.
Wire fraud and mail fraud involve using communication tools like phones, emails, or mail to commit fraud. Under 18 U.S.C § 1341 and 18 U.S.C § 1343, the government can charge someone if they think there was a plan to trick or lie to someone to get money. These cases are serious and often come with big financial records, business emails, or bank transactions as evidence.
Money laundering means hiding money that came from illegal activity by passing it through banks, businesses, or other financial systems. Under 18 U.S.C § 1956, this crime can bring long prison sentences and heavy fines. It often appears in cases linked to drug trafficking, fraud, or organized crime. If you are accused, it is important to act fast and get a strong legal defense.
Health care fraud under 18 U.S.C § 1347 involves knowingly billing for services that were not provided, overcharging for treatment, or submitting false medical records to get money from government programs like Medicare. These charges are serious because they often involve large amounts of money and can result in long prison sentences and heavy fines.
Kenney Legal Defense helps clients fight back by reviewing billing records and challenging the evidence used by federal agents.
Immigration offenses under 8 U.S.C § 1324 usually involve accusations of bringing people into the United States illegally, helping them stay here without documentation, or using fake paperwork. These federal crimes are often charged along with conspiracy or fraud, and they can affect both freedom and future immigration status.
Defending against these charges takes a careful look at each person's role and whether the federal government followed proper procedures.
Firearm offenses under 18 U.S.C § 922(g) make it illegal for certain people, like convicted felons or those with restraining orders, to have guns or ammunition. These federal gun charges often come up when law enforcement finds weapons during traffic stops or searches. Even if the gun wasn't used in a crime, just having it can lead to serious consequences, including jail time in federal prison.
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), under 18 U.S.C. § 1962, is used by the federal government to go after organized crime. It allows prosecutors to link multiple crimes together, like fraud, drug trafficking, or extortion, if they are part of an ongoing criminal group. RICO charges often involve large investigations, surveillance, and wiretaps.
If you are charged under RICO, the government is trying to prove you were part of a criminal enterprise, which makes it essential to have a skilled defense attorney on your side.
Federal sentencing guidelines are rules judges use to decide how long someone should go to prison if found guilty. The guidelines are supposed to be “advisory” only, but most judges still follow them. These guidelines look at things like the type of crime, how much money was involved, if weapons were used, and your background. Some federal crimes come with mandatory minimum sentences, which means the judge must give at least a certain amount of time in prison no matter what, unless circumstances warrant breaking the mandatory minimum.
For example, drug trafficking or gun crimes can carry long sentences even if the person didn't cause harm. A smart legal defense can sometimes help reduce or avoid these penalties.
Many people don't know they are being investigated for a federal crime until it's too late. Common warning signs include getting a letter from a federal agency, being served with a subpoena, having your bank accounts frozen, or finding out that coworkers, friends, or family members are being questioned by federal agents. You might also be contacted for a “proffer session,” where agents want you to share information.
If any of these happen, it is critical to speak with a federal criminal defense lawyer right away. Acting early can help protect your rights and shape a stronger defense before charges are filed.
Not every arrest or charge means a person is guilty. In many federal criminal cases, there are strong legal defenses that can lead to charges being dropped or reduced. A skilled criminal defense attorney can find problems in the way evidence was gathered, show that a person did not mean to break the law, or prove that the government made mistakes.
Some of the most common defenses we use in federal court are:
If law enforcement collected evidence by breaking search and seizure rules, that evidence might not be allowed in court. For example, if agents searched your home or car without a valid warrant or probable cause, your rights under the Fourth Amendment were likely violated.
When this happens, we can file a motion to suppress the evidence, which often weakens the prosecutor's case and may even result in dismissal.
In many federal cases, the prosecution must prove that you meant to commit a crime. If you made a mistake, didn't understand the situation, or were not fully aware of what was happening, that may show a lack of criminal intent.
We use clear facts, witness statements, and expert testimony to help prove that you did not have the requisite criminal intent.
Entrapment happens when a government agent pressures or tricks someone into committing a crime they would not have done on their own. If we can show that a federal agent pushed you too far or created the crime themselves, it may be a valid defense. This argument can be especially strong in drug crimes, fraud schemes, or sting operations.
Federal prosecutors must prove every part of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is weak, missing, or unclear evidence, the charges might not hold up in court. We carefully review all the documents, recordings, and witness claims to find holes in the case.
Many times, showing that the government simply can't prove its case is enough to win a not-guilty verdict.
Before most federal criminal cases move forward, a grand jury must review the evidence and decide whether there is enough reason to formally charge someone. During this process, federal prosecutors present their side of the case in a secret closed courtroom, and the person being investigated usually does not get to speak or offer a defense. If the grand jury believes there is probable cause, an indictment is issued, which is a formal notice that a federal case is now moving forward.
Kenney Legal Defense helps clients who receive grand jury subpoenas, prepare them for possible testimony, and protect their rights throughout this secretive and high-stakes process.
In federal court, the rules for pretrial detention and bail are stricter than in state cases. Some people may be held in custody until trial if the judge believes they might flee or pose a danger to others. The court will consider things like the nature of the charges, past criminal history, and community ties when deciding whether to allow release.
If bail is an option, the court may require a secured bond, house arrest, or electronic monitoring. Our defense attorneys work hard to argue for release whenever possible, showing that you are not a flight risk and that you deserve a fair chance to fight your charges outside of jail.
Even after a conviction, you still have legal options through the federal appeals process. If you believe the trial had legal mistakes, unfair rulings, or violations of your rights, our team can help file an appeal in the appropriate circuit court. Federal appeals must be filed quickly, often within 14 days, so acting fast is critical.
1. What is the difference between state and federal offenses?
State offenses are handled in state court and usually involve violations of California law, while federal offenses break U.S. laws and are prosecuted in federal court. Some crimes, like internet crimes or securities fraud, can be charged in both.
2. Can a juvenile crime be charged as an adult offense?
Yes. In serious cases like sex crimes or violent acts, the court may move the case from juvenile court to adult court, especially for older teens.
3. Do I have to talk to federal law enforcement officers if I am under investigation?
No! Do not talk to any federal agent when you are the one being targeted. Law enforcement is not your friend when they are looking to charge you with a crime. Providing any statements to them will only help them build a case against you. Immediately state you do not want to talk to them unless your attorney is present.
4. How can a federal criminal defense attorney help with plea bargains?
A federal criminal defense attorney can speak with prosecutors to try to reduce charges, avoid prison, or work out a deal that fits your situation better.
5. What rights do I have when questioned by federal law enforcement officers?
You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. These are known as your Miranda Rights and apply to both state and federal investigations.
If you are facing serious federal criminal charges in Orange County, your next step matters. Federal authorities take crimes like insurance fraud, immigration crimes, internet crimes, drug trafficking, and securities fraud very seriously. A strong defense starts with an experienced Orange County federal criminal defense attorney who knows how to handle complex legal issues in both state and federal courts.
Kenney Legal Defense takes pride in building a strong attorney-client relationship from the very beginning. We listen to your concerns, explain how the legal system works, and create a defense strategy tailored to your case. Whether you're charged in local courts or federal courtrooms, we understand the criminal justice system and how to fight for the best possible outcome.
Our team handles investigations, pretrial negotiations, plea bargains, and jury trials. We know how to challenge cases involving Miranda Rights, drug trafficking conspiracies, federal fraud crime charges, and all other types of federal offenses. Contact us today for a free and confidential case review.
