Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer
Federal charges are not like state charges. The resources behind a federal prosecution — the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS-CI, and the full weight of the U.S. Department of Justice — are unlike anything a state court defendant faces. Korody Law is a nationally recognized federal criminal defense firm led by a former Navy JAG Captain and Special Assistant United States Attorney who has tried more than 50 federal and military jury trials to verdict. We know how federal cases are built — because we have built them. And we know exactly how to dismantle them.
Federal prosecutors build cases for months or years before charging. If you have received a target letter, been approached by FBI or DEA agents, or received a grand jury subpoena, your window to influence the outcome is right now — before charges are filed. Do not speak to federal agents without a lawyer. Contact Korody Law immediately.
On This Page
- Why Federal Criminal Defense Is Different
- Why Trust Korody Law With Your Federal Case
- Case Spotlight — $25M Indictment Dismissed With Prejudice
- Federal Charges We Defend
- Target Letters and Federal Grand Jury Investigations
- How a Federal Case Moves — Investigation to Sentencing
- The Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- The Presentence Investigation Report (PSR)
- The Middle District of Florida — Jacksonville
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Practice Areas
Why Federal Criminal Defense Is Different
Most people do not fully appreciate the difference between a state criminal charge and a federal criminal charge until they are facing one. The distinction is not merely procedural — it reflects a categorically different level of prosecutorial power, investigative resources, and sentencing consequence. Understanding what makes federal court different is the foundation of effective defense strategy.
Federal Conviction Rates Exceed 90%
The federal government does not bring charges unless its case is strong. The DOJ maintains a conviction rate exceeding 90% in contested federal cases. That number demands a defense attorney who has operated inside the federal system — who knows how federal prosecutors build cases and where the weaknesses are. We have been on that side. We know exactly where the cracks are in even the strongest government case.
No Parole — 85% Minimum Service
The federal system abolished parole under the Sentencing Reform Act. Federal sentences must be served at a minimum of 85% — a 10-year sentence means at least 8.5 years in a Bureau of Prisons facility. There is no meaningful early release. Every year of a federal sentence is a real year, measured in years of a person's life. Fighting for every sentencing guideline point is not a technicality — it is real time.
Massive Investigative Resources
Federal investigations involve the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS Criminal Investigation, HSI, HHS-OIG, and other agencies with virtually unlimited resources and years of investigation before a single arrest. By the time you know you are a target, the government often already has a substantial case — financial records, cooperating witnesses, surveillance, and digital evidence all assembled in their favor.
Sentencing Guidelines Drive Every Decision
Unlike state court, where judges exercise broad discretion, federal sentences are calculated using the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines — a complex scoring system producing a recommended range. Every enhancement, departure, and variance matters. An attorney who does not master the guidelines is not fully defending their client at the most consequential stage of the case. We have mastered them.
Pre-Charge Intervention Works
In federal cases, the most powerful defense often happens before an indictment is returned. Experienced federal defense counsel who engages with the U.S. Attorney's Office before charging — presenting exculpatory evidence, legal arguments, or context the government has not considered — can sometimes prevent charges from being filed or significantly narrow them. This window closes permanently when the grand jury returns an indictment.
Cooperation & Substantial Assistance
In many federal cases — particularly drug conspiracies and financial fraud — cooperation with the government is a strategic option that can result in substantial sentence reduction through a 5K1.1 departure. The decision whether to cooperate, on what terms, and at what stage requires experienced counsel who has seen cooperation agreements from both sides of the table and understands what they actually deliver.
Why Trust Korody Law With Your Federal Case
There are many attorneys who will tell you they handle federal criminal cases. Few have operated inside the federal criminal justice system as both a prosecutor and a defense attorney. Fewer still have the trial record, the guidelines expertise, and the federal court experience that Korody Law brings to every federal defense.
Patrick Korody — Federal Defense Credentials
- Former Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) — prosecuted federal cases in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office. That insider knowledge of how federal prosecutions are constructed shapes every defense strategy we build.
- Navy JAG Captain — 20+ years active and reserve duty, recognized as one of the Navy's best court-martial trial lawyers and one of a select few certified specialists in military justice litigation by the Judge Advocate General
- Capital defense qualified — one of a small number of criminal defense attorneys in the country certified to handle capital (death penalty) cases — the highest credential in criminal defense
- 50+ jury trials to verdict — including complex federal fraud, drug conspiracy, firearms, and violent crime cases in federal and military courts
- Federal sentencing guidelines mastery — guideline calculation, departure and variance litigation, and PSR objections that have materially reduced sentences for federal clients across the country
- Nationally recognized — Mr. Korody's federal defense work has been covered by national news outlets; he has been retained as lead defense counsel in federal courts across the country, including the case that resulted in a $25M indictment being dismissed with prejudice
"I was charged as part of a large federal fraud conspiracy. I spent a lot of money on a lot of lawyers until I found Mr. Korody. He closely reviewed my case and we met numerous times to review the evidence and discuss the law. We were proceeding to trial and he filed the best motions I have seen. This led to the U.S. Attorney's office dismissing the case. If you have federal charges, call Patrick!"
— Scott B., Korody Law Federal Defense ClientOur promise: We listen to your goals. We review every legal issue that can undermine the prosecution. We communicate clearly and honestly about outcomes and options. We fight at every stage — investigation, motions, trial, sentencing, and appeal. We are personally accountable to you at every step.
Case Spotlight — Federal Indictment Dismissed With Prejudice
Results speak louder than credentials. The following case represents the type of high-stakes, complex federal defense that Korody Law has built its reputation on. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes — but they demonstrate what aggressive, thorough, and strategically sophisticated federal criminal defense looks like in practice.
United States v. Scott Balotin — $25M TRICARE Healthcare Fraud
Our client was the lead defendant in one of the largest federal healthcare fraud investigations in the Middle District of Florida — involving alleged compounding pharmacy billing fraud and kickback schemes billed to the TRICARE military healthcare program. The alleged fraud totaled $25 million. Federal agents had spent years building the case. The government was confident it would prevail.
Rather than simply contesting the facts, Patrick Korody and the defense team adopted a strategy that scrutinized the government's investigative methods at every step. Through aggressive discovery, meticulous review of prosecutorial conduct, and relentless litigation, the defense exposed significant prosecutorial misconduct that had compromised the integrity of the proceedings — misconduct the government had not disclosed and believed would go undetected.
The defense filed a motion to dismiss based on the government's overreach and the integrity of the investigation. In a landmark ruling for the Middle District of Florida, the court granted the motion.
Past results do not guarantee any particular outcome in a future case. All cases depend on the specific facts, evidence, and circumstances involved.
Federal Charges We Defend
Korody Law defends the full spectrum of federal criminal charges in the Middle District of Florida and in federal courts nationwide. Federal offenses carry the weight of the DOJ behind every prosecution — and they demand a defense that matches that weight with equal preparation, skill, and tenacity.
Wire, Mail & Bank Fraud
Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341), bank fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344), mortgage fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy to commit any of the above. Federal fraud cases involve complex financial investigations and sentencing guidelines that produce decade-long sentences based on loss amount alone. Defense requires deep financial analysis, independent expert witnesses, and aggressive discovery.
Healthcare Fraud
TRICARE fraud, Medicare fraud, Medicaid fraud, billing fraud, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, and False Claims Act violations — among the most aggressively prosecuted federal crimes in the Middle District. Cases involve HHS-OIG, FBI, and DCIS. The $25M Balotin dismissal demonstrates what sophisticated healthcare fraud defense looks like. We have won cases at this level.
Federal Drug Offenses
Drug trafficking, distribution, manufacturing, and conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846 carry mandatory minimum sentences reaching decades in prison. Federal conspiracy charges hold each defendant responsible for the full scope of the conspiracy's drug quantity. We challenge quantity calculations, cooperating witness reliability, the legality of every search and seizure, and mandatory minimum applicability through every available mechanism.
Federal Firearms Offenses
Possession by a prohibited person (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)), use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug crime (18 U.S.C. § 924(c)), illegal trafficking, and NFA violations. The 924(c) charge adds a mandatory consecutive 5-year minimum on top of any other sentence. We challenge predicate offenses, possession findings, and the constitutionality of searches that produced the firearms evidence.
Computer Crimes & CSAM
Possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (18 U.S.C. § 2252), cyberstalking, and CFAA violations are prosecuted by the FBI's Cyber Division and carry mandatory minimum sentences. Defense requires sophisticated digital forensics expertise to challenge attribution evidence, device search warrants, and the government's technical analysis of digital evidence.
Federal Sex Offenses
Sex trafficking (18 U.S.C. § 1591), transportation for illegal sexual activity, and online enticement of minors carry severe mandatory minimums and lifetime sex offender registration. Federal sex offense investigations involve sophisticated undercover operations and multi-agency coordination. We challenge evidence, investigative methodology, constitutional issues, and mandatory minimum application at every stage.
Money Laundering
18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957 money laundering charges are frequently added to fraud and drug trafficking cases — dramatically increasing the guideline range. Money laundering also triggers asset forfeiture proceedings that can seize bank accounts, real property, and other assets before trial. We defend money laundering charges and contest federal asset forfeiture through every available legal mechanism.
Federal Conspiracy
Federal conspiracy is among the government's most powerful tools — holding each defendant responsible for the full scope of the conspiracy and the acts of all co-conspirators. We challenge conspiracy membership, scope, and duration — and fight for minor and minimal participant role reductions that can reduce a guideline range by multiple levels and materially reduce sentences.
White Collar & Government Fraud
Government contract fraud, SBA fraud, PPP fraud, tax fraud, and false statements (18 U.S.C. § 1001) are aggressively prosecuted in the Middle District. These cases involve complex documentary evidence and forensic accounting. We defend white collar defendants from the first contact with federal investigators through trial — and engage pre-charge when that engagement can prevent indictment entirely.
Target Letters and Federal Grand Jury Investigations
A federal target letter notifies you that you are the target of a grand jury investigation — meaning the government has substantial evidence that you committed a federal crime. It is not a charge. It is a window. That window closes the moment an indictment is returned. Pre-indictment engagement by experienced federal defense counsel can sometimes deter charges entirely, narrow an indictment's scope, or position a client for more favorable treatment. Once an indictment is returned, those options narrow permanently.
What to Do Immediately
- Contact federal defense counsel the same day — the window for pre-charge intervention is narrow and unpredictable
- Do not contact the USAO or federal agents without counsel — any statement can be used as evidence or create damaging inconsistencies
- Preserve all documents — deleting emails or records after receiving a target letter can result in obstruction charges
- Do not contact co-defendants or co-conspirators — this can be characterized as witness tampering or obstruction
- Do not consent to any searches of your home, vehicle, office, or electronic devices
- Invoke the Fifth Amendment if called before the grand jury — you are not required to testify against yourself
What We Do Before Indictment
- Case theory analysis: Assess what the government believes it has — and where the gaps in their theory exist
- Proactive AUSA engagement: Present the defense's perspective, identify exculpatory evidence, and make legal arguments before the charging decision is finalized
- Grand jury strategy: Advise on Fifth Amendment privilege, the risks and benefits of grand jury testimony, and immunity availability
- Evidence preservation: Identify and preserve favorable evidence — financial records, communications, expert analysis — before the government controls the narrative
- Cooperation evaluation: Analyze cooperation terms, risks, benefits, and timing with full understanding of what federal cooperation agreements actually deliver in the Middle District
How a Federal Case Moves — Investigation to Sentencing
Understanding the federal criminal process — and where defense opportunities exist at each stage — is essential to building an effective strategy. Federal cases move through a defined pipeline, but experienced defense pressure at every stage can change the trajectory dramatically.
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Federal Investigation
Federal agencies spend months or years building cases before any arrest or indictment. They obtain financial records through grand jury subpoenas, develop confidential informants, conduct surveillance, and execute search warrants. This is the most important phase for defense intervention. Pre-charge advocacy can prevent indictment or narrow its scope. Clients who engage us at this stage consistently achieve better outcomes than those who wait.
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Grand Jury and Indictment
Federal charges are typically brought by a grand jury — 23 citizens who hear only the government's evidence and vote on probable cause. The standard is low, and the government almost always obtains what it seeks. However, the specific charges in the indictment can be influenced by pre-indictment advocacy. Once indicted, the defendant is arrested or surrenders, and the formal case begins in district court.
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Initial Appearance, Detention, and Arraignment
At the initial appearance, detention (bail) is addressed before a magistrate judge. The Bail Reform Act governs federal pretrial detention — in many serious cases, the government seeks to detain the defendant pending trial. We fight for release on conditions at every opportunity because pretrial detention severely hampers defense preparation and can force unfavorable plea decisions that would not otherwise be made.
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Discovery and Pre-Trial Motions
The government produces its evidence through discovery, and we analyze it for weaknesses, constitutional violations, and Brady/Giglio material — exculpatory and impeachment evidence the government is required to disclose. Pre-trial motions address suppression of illegally obtained evidence, dismissal of defective charges, and other legal issues. Winning a key motion — suppressing a confession or evidence from an illegal search — can change everything.
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Plea or Trial
Most federal cases resolve through a plea agreement — but terms are negotiated against the backdrop of a credible trial threat. We negotiate from a position of full trial preparation and documented case weaknesses. When trial is the right path, we go — and we have the record to prove it. Federal trial practice requires mastery of the Federal Rules of Evidence, complex document management, expert witness strategy, and precise cross-examination of trained government agents.
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Sentencing and Post-Conviction
Federal sentencing is governed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a). We fight at sentencing as aggressively as at trial — challenging PSR guideline calculations, arguing for departures and variances, presenting mitigation, and framing the statutory sentencing factors in the most favorable light. Where appeal grounds exist, we pursue review before the Eleventh Circuit and, where warranted, the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Federal Sentencing Guidelines — Why They Matter More Than Almost Anything
In federal court, the sentence is rarely what you expect going in. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines calculate a recommended range — expressed in months — based on an offense level derived from the nature and scope of the crime and a criminal history category derived from prior record. These guidelines are advisory but are the mandatory starting point for every federal sentence. The judge must calculate and consider them.
The guidelines are extraordinarily complex, and every decision made throughout the case — what charges are in the plea agreement, what facts are admitted, what enhancements are challenged, and what departures and variances are argued — affects the final guideline calculation and ultimately the sentence. An attorney who does not understand the guidelines in depth is not fully defending their client at the most consequential stage of the case. We have mastered them — and we have the results to prove it.
Key Guideline Factors We Litigate
- Loss amount (fraud): The single biggest driver of guideline ranges in fraud cases — the difference between $250K and $1M in calculated loss can mean multiple levels and years of additional sentence
- Drug quantity: Higher quantities mean higher offense levels — we challenge every aspect of the government's quantity calculation with independent expert analysis
- Role adjustments: Enhancements for leadership; reductions for minor or minimal participation — a minor role reduction can reduce a sentence by years
- Specific offense characteristics: Enhancements for firearms, victim count, vulnerable victims, sophisticated means — each challenged individually
- Acceptance of responsibility: A two- or three-level reduction that must be properly preserved and documented throughout the case
- Criminal history category: Every prior record entry is independently verified — errors here can unfairly elevate the range significantly
Departures and Variances
- Substantial assistance (5K1.1): Government-sponsored departure for defendants who cooperate — often the most significant sentence reduction available; requires careful strategic analysis before any cooperation decision
- Safety valve (18 U.S.C. § 3553(f)): For eligible drug defendants, allows sentencing below mandatory minimums — a critical tool in drug cases
- Downward departure: Guideline-based reductions for aberrant behavior, extraordinary family circumstances, diminished capacity, over-represented criminal history
- Variance (§ 3553(a)): Below-guidelines sentence based on the full range of statutory sentencing factors — the nature of the offense, the defendant's history and characteristics, and the purposes of the sentence
We litigate departures and variances as aggressively as we litigate guilt. In many cases, the sentencing phase is where the most significant defense victories occur — victories measured in years of freedom returned to our clients.
The Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) — Why It Can Make or Break Your Sentence
If a defendant is convicted — whether by plea or verdict — the Presentence Investigation Report (PSR), prepared by a U.S. Probation Officer, is the document the sentencing judge will rely on most heavily. It summarizes offense conduct, calculates the guideline range, reviews criminal history, and provides a comprehensive background profile. It is not a neutral document — and it is not always accurate.
An inaccurate or unfavorable PSR can produce a guideline range significantly higher than the facts warrant — and a prison sentence years longer than necessary. We review every PSR with the same intensity we apply to trial evidence and file timely, detailed objections to every inaccuracy, enhancement error, and unfair characterization.
Why the PSR Is Critical
- It calculates the advisory guideline range — the starting point for the judge's sentencing decision
- Enhancement findings can raise the range by multiple levels and years
- Criminal history errors can shift the range materially
- It is used by the BOP to classify security level and facility assignment
- It affects supervised release conditions, restitution, and fine calculations
- If no objections are made, the judge generally accepts the PSR's facts as permanent record
- Preserved objections protect the right to appeal an unlawful sentence
How We Fight the PSR
- Loss amount disputes: In fraud cases, the PSR's loss calculation is frequently challenged — the difference between $250,000 and $1,000,000 in calculated loss can be multiple levels and years of additional sentence
- Enhancement challenges: Many PSR enhancements are legally incorrect — we challenge each with specific authority and request evidentiary hearings where facts are disputed
- Criminal history verification: Every prior conviction is independently verified — miscounted or miscategorized entries are challenged in writing before sentencing
- Offense conduct narrative: How the PSR characterizes what happened shapes the judge's perception — we correct inaccurate and misleading characterizations point by point
- Departure and variance arguments: After objections, we present substantive arguments for below-guidelines sentences grounded in § 3553(a) and applicable departure grounds
The Middle District of Florida — Jacksonville Federal Court
Federal criminal cases in Jacksonville are prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division — located at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in downtown Jacksonville. The Middle District is one of the busiest federal districts in the country, and the Jacksonville Division serves Duval, Nassau, Clay, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and surrounding counties.
Korody Law has extensive experience in this court — we know the judges, the prosecutors, and the procedural practices specific to this division. We know which AUSAs are willing to negotiate and on what terms, which arguments resonate with which judges at sentencing, and how to try a federal case in this courthouse. That institutional knowledge is not something a defense attorney who appears here occasionally can replicate. It is built over years of active practice.
Our Middle District of Florida Practice
- Admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida — a regular presence in the Jacksonville Division
- Deep familiarity with the judges of the Jacksonville Division — their preferences, tendencies, and the arguments that move them at sentencing and on motions
- Experience with USAO MDFL Jacksonville — their prosecution priorities, case evaluation standards, and negotiation approaches
- Full federal practice: detention hearings, pre-trial motions, trial, sentencing, and Eleventh Circuit appeal
- Track record that includes the dismissal of a $25M healthcare fraud indictment with prejudice in this court
Nationwide Federal Defense
Mr. Korody has been retained as lead federal defense counsel in prosecutions in other U.S. district courts across the country. In those cases, he is admitted pro hac vice and is assisted by experienced local counsel. If you are facing federal charges outside the Middle District of Florida, contact us — we assess every case on its merits and have the national federal defense experience to serve you wherever charges are pending.
Facing Federal Charges? Fight Back Now.
The federal government has spent months or years building its case. Every day without experienced federal defense counsel is a day that advantage compounds. Contact Korody Law today — free consultation, former federal prosecutor on your side, trial-ready from the first call.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Be polite and calm — but do not answer any questions about anything. You have the absolute right to decline to speak with federal agents without a lawyer. Simply say: "I would like to speak with an attorney before answering any questions." Do not consent to any search of your home, office, vehicle, or electronic devices. Then contact Korody Law immediately. Federal agents who approach you are conducting an active investigation, and any statement you make — however innocent it seems — can be used against you at trial.
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Extremely urgent. A target letter does not state a specific deadline — the grand jury can return an indictment at any time. The window for pre-charge advocacy closes permanently when the grand jury votes. Contact federal defense counsel the same day. Do not contact the U.S. Attorney's Office directly. Do not speak to federal agents. Do not discuss the matter with anyone other than your attorney.
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Federal cases in the Middle District typically take one to two years from indictment to trial — though complex fraud and drug conspiracy cases can take longer. During this period, pre-trial motions are litigated, discovery is reviewed, expert witnesses are retained, and trial preparation occurs. For detained defendants, this timeline represents significant time in custody. Korody Law manages this period aggressively and systematically, making use of every day to build the strongest possible defense.
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Cooperation — providing information and testimony in exchange for a 5K1.1 substantial assistance motion — can reduce a federal sentence by years when it is successful. But it carries significant risks: the scope of information you must provide, the completeness of your debriefings, personal safety considerations, and the risk that the government determines your assistance was not "substantial." This decision should only be made after careful analysis with experienced federal defense counsel who understands what cooperation actually delivers in this district — never under time pressure and never without fully understanding the terms.
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Yes. Evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment (unreasonable search or seizure), Fifth Amendment (compelled self-incrimination), or Sixth Amendment (right to counsel) may be suppressible — meaning it cannot be used against you at trial. Suppression of a confession, drugs found in an illegal search, or a firearm seized without probable cause can dramatically change the trajectory of a federal case — often resulting in reduced charges, dismissed counts, or a government more willing to negotiate favorable terms. We evaluate suppression opportunities in every federal case as a first priority.
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Yes — in certain circumstances. Federal charges can be dismissed for prosecutorial misconduct (as in the Balotin case), constitutional violations rendering the indictment defective, insufficient evidence as a matter of law, double jeopardy, statute of limitations violations, and other legal grounds. They can also be dismissed as part of a plea agreement on other charges. Pre-trial motions to dismiss are evaluated in every case. Aggressive pre-trial litigation creates the conditions under which dismissal becomes possible — even in cases the government believes are airtight.
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Yes. Federal convictions and sentences in the Middle District of Florida are appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and on certiorari petition to the U.S. Supreme Court. Grounds include legal errors at trial, constitutional violations, ineffective assistance of counsel (typically raised in a § 2255 motion), and sentencing errors including incorrect guideline calculations. A well-preserved trial and sentencing record — built by experienced counsel from day one — is the foundation for every effective federal appeal. We build for appeal from the moment we are retained.
We Fight the Government. And We Win.
Korody Law is a nationally recognized federal criminal defense firm with the background, experience, and record to take on the most serious federal charges in the Middle District of Florida and beyond. If you are a target of a federal investigation, have received a target letter, or have been indicted — contact us today. Your first consultation is free and confidential. Do not face federal prosecutors alone.
Korody Law, P.A. · 630 West Adams Street, Suite 208, Jacksonville, FL 32204 · Middle District of Florida & Federal Courts Nationwide