Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys

Federal criminal attorneys with over 25 years of success in courts across the country.

Page Pate, Jess Johnson, and Tom Church are consistently ranked among the country’s top federal criminal defense attorneys. Together, they have over over 40 years of successful results in federal trials, federal appeals, and post-conviction early release petitions.

Our reputation is built on defending people charged with serious crimes in federal court. We have successfully resolved federal criminal cases in courts across the United States. We have represented elected officials, senior business executives, professional athletes, and people from all walks of life. Regardless of our client’s background, or the type of federal charges they are facing, we give every person we represent the same level of personal attention and commitment. And we don’t quit until we have done everything we can to insure the best possible result.

Federal criminal defense attorneys who get results.

FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal criminal jury trial for a client charged with being in a large-scale drug conspiracy. The client was facing mandatory life in prison if convicted. The jury found him “not guilty” on all counts, despite wiretap evidence and the testimony of alleged co-conspirators.
(U.S. v. V.W.)

FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal jury trial for a prison guard falsely accused of civil rights and obstruction offenses. Our client was facing 20 years in prison if convicted.
(U.S. v. T.G.)

FEDERAL CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE – DISMISSED
Convinced federal prosecutors to dismiss a child pornography case a week before the trial was scheduled to begin. Our client was facing a minimum of 10 years in prison.
(U.S. v. M.K.)

FEDERAL DRUG CASE – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal criminal jury trial for a client indicted on federal drug charges in Macon, Georgia. The judge granted our motion and dismissed all charges.
(U.S. v. T.S.)

FEDERAL IMMIGRATION CRIMES – DISMISSED
Convinced federal prosecutors to dismiss two separate felony immigration smuggling charges against our client after finding a constitutional violation in the way police searched our client’s vehicle.
(U.S. v. J.K.)

FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal jury trial for a pilot falsely charged with importing several hundred kilos of cocaine into the U.S. from Mexico. Our client was facing life in prison if convicted.
(U.S. v. D.F.)

FEDERAL GUN CHARGES – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal criminal jury trial in Atlanta, Georgia for a client indicted for possessing illegal firearms. He was facing up to 10 years in federal prison.
(U.S. v. M.H.)

FEDERAL DRUG CONSPIRACY – DISMISSED
Convinced federal prosecutors to dismiss a federal drug case against our client in Macon, Georgia. We argued that the search of our client was unlawful and the government dismissed all charges. Our client would have been sentenced up to 30 years if convicted.
(U.S. v. G.D.)

FEDERAL GUN CHARGES – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal criminal jury trial for a U.S. soldier charged with firearm offenses in Savannah, Georgia. The federal judge granted our motion and dismissed all charges. Our client was facing up to 10 years in prison.
(U.S. v. N.D.)

FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS AND OBSTRUCTION – NOT GUILTY
Won a federal criminal jury trial for a deputy sheriff who was indicted on multiple federal charges in Georgia. He was found not guilty on all counts by the jury after a high-profile criminal trial.
(U.S. v. R.G.)

FEDERAL DRUG CHARGES – DISMISSED
Successfully resolved a federal drug case in Atlanta when we helped convince prosecutors to dismiss an indictment against our client after he was arrested, but prior to the trial. The client was facing up to 20 years in prison.
(U.S. v. H.W.)

FEDERAL FRAUD CASE – DISMISSED
Convinced the federal government to dismiss a multi-million dollar fraud case against our clients in Atlanta a week before trial. Our clients could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
(U.S. v. V.R.)

Learn more about federal crimes:

• Criminal Copyright Infringement
• PPP Loan Fraud Investigations
• Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges
• Health Care Fraud Charges
• “Pill Mill” Allegations
• Money Laundering Charges
• Wire Fraud Charges
• Federal Firearm Laws
• Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
• Forfeiture and Seizure
• Child Pornography Charges
• Federal Bribery Charges
• Federal Tax Crimes
• Obstruction of Justice Charges
• False Statements Charges
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act

Are federal criminal cases different than state criminal cases? Yes, in many important ways.

Federal criminal investigations and prosecutions are handled very differently than similar criminal cases in state courts. First of all, the law enforcement agencies that investigate federal crimes are generally well-funded and staffed by the most experienced agents and investigators. The federal prosecutors who conduct federal criminal trials and sentencing hearings are also usually very experienced, and have virtually unlimited resources at their disposal. The judges who preside in federal courts have lifetime appointments and their dockets are generally not as crowded as those of most state court judges who handle many different types of criminal offenses.

More importantly, federal crimes generally carry stiffer sentences than state crimes, especially in the areas of drug trafficking and conspiracy. Federal criminal penalties are also more severe in cases involving child pornography and other sexual offenses prosecuted in federal court. Interestingly, white collar cases (like fraud, embezzlement and corruption) usually do not result in as steep a sentence as one might get if prosecuted for the same offense in state court. For the most part, however, the mandatory minimum penalties and federal sentencing guidelines usually result in very lengthy sentences for people convicted of federal crimes. That’s one of the main reasons it is so important to retain a lawyer with a record of success in federal court if the case is being prosecuted by the federal government.

If you want to know how to get the lowest possible sentence in federal court, watch our video on the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

Our federal criminal defense attorneys have won dozens of “not guilty” verdicts and pretrial dismissals.

Given the severity and complexity of federal criminal investigations and prosecutions, anyone charged with a federal crime should retain an experienced federal criminal lawyer. If you hire our firm, you will have the personal attention of Page Pate.

Although we will often hire other qualified federal criminal lawyers to assist us in some jurisdictions (at no additional cost to the client), Page Pate will personally handle all the important court dates and discussions with the government. That way, our clients get the benefit of the relationships and knowledge of a lawyer close to the courthouse and the federal criminal law expertise of Page Pate.

As an experienced federal criminal defense attorney, Page Pate can also review a person’s case and provide a “second opinion” about the strength of the government’s evidence or the viability of certain defenses before the person pleads guilty or decides to go to trial. Page can step in and assist the lawyer who is currently representing the client, or take over the case entirely if that’s what is best for the client. In addition to our successful trial practice, we also assist clients in appealing wrongful convictions in federal court.

If you need a federal criminal defense attorney with decades of successful results, contact our firm and discuss your case in complete confidence. You will not find federal criminal lawyers anywhere in the country with more recent successful results, better credentials, or a deeper commitment to pursuing justice for people who need help in federal court.

We have also helped many people get out of federal prison early.

Recently, we have also been very successful helping people get an early release from federal prison. Recent changes in federal law, and Justice Department policies, have allowed us to pursue “compassionate release” for inmates serving lengthy sentences at the federal Bureau of Prisons. Our motions address not just the need for early release due to health concerns, but also unfairly harsh sentences that were imposed years ago.

If you want to learn more about how we may be able to getting someone released from federal prison, read more about our success in compassionate release motions.

A recent review from avvo.com:

“Page Pate is a sincere, caring, outstanding attorney. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

who was passionate about my case from the beginning to the successful end. He is very professional and involved in every aspect of the case, always keeping me and my family advised as the proceedings progressed and quickly responding to all our concerns. His obvious knowledge of the Federal judicial system was crucial in allaying our fears and giving us hope and confidence in the future. We will always be grateful that he gave us our lives back and highly recommend him to all.”
-Don F., a former client