At Barbieri Law Firm, P.C., we represent executives, business owners, and professionals across Texas who are under federal investigation, including those already facing charges in the Northern District of Texas.
Federal criminal defense means defending against charges brought by the United States government, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and investigated by agencies like the FBI, DEA, and IRS Criminal Investigation.
It differs from state court work in rules, sentencing framework, and investigations that often run for years before anyone is charged. Common exposure includes healthcare fraud, wire fraud, tax crimes, securities violations, and federal conspiracy allegations.
At Barbieri Law Firm, we engage early, put our in-house investigation team on the documents immediately, and manage reputation exposure alongside the legal defense. Every consultation is protected by attorney-client privilege.
What Our Clients Say About Us
“Mrs. Barbieri gave me the exact plan on how she will address the prosecution and get my life back.” Junior
Strategy communicated up front, not improvised after the fact.
“From the top down everyone here is professional and 100% engaged in assisting you and fighting for you until the end.” Josh H.
Limited caseloads mean the full team stays engaged on your matter from day one.
“They care about you and your reputation and will not back down.” Lisa G.
Reputation protection runs as a parallel track to the legal defense.
“As a fellow criminal defense attorney… I’m consistently impressed by their dedication and results.” Angelica C.
“The entire team helped to keep our minds at ease throughout the whole process.” Sharon A.
Consistent communication during a long investigation matters when the timeline is outside your control.
Our Federal and Criminal Defense Services in Texas
- Federal Drug Crimes
- Federal Fraud
- Federal Conspiracy
- Money Laundering
- Federal Weapons Charges
- Federal Sex Crimes
- Cybercrimes
- White Collar Crimes
- Federal Violent Crimes
- Federal Investigations and Target Letters
Facing charges? Talk to a Frisco defense attorney today.
What Is the Difference Between a Federal Crime and a State Crime in Texas?
The biggest difference is who is prosecuting the case, which laws apply, and which court will hear it. State crimes in Texas are prosecuted by county or district attorneys under the Texas Penal Code. Federal crimes are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office under federal law and handled in U.S. District Court.
Federal cases often involve different investigative agencies, procedures, plea negotiations, and sentencing rules. Agencies such as the FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, HHS-OIG, and Homeland Security Investigations may spend months or years gathering evidence before charges are filed.
Federal sentencing can also be more complex. Judges consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, federal statutes, criminal history, loss amounts, drug quantities, and other factors that may significantly affect the potential sentence.
Because of these differences, someone facing a federal investigation or indictment should look for an attorney who understands federal court procedure, federal investigations, grand juries, and federal sentencing, rather than relying only on experience handling Texas state criminal cases.
Why Texas Clients Choose Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. for Federal Defense
Board Certified in Criminal Law
Heather Barbieri has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005. This distinction is held by fewer than 1% of Texas attorneys and reflects a verified level of experience in criminal law.
In-house investigation from the start
Federal cases often depend on financial records, digital evidence, witness statements, surveillance, and extensive investigative files. Our in-house investigator works directly with the legal team to reconstruct timelines and identify weaknesses in the government’s case.
Early intervention before charges are filed
Federal investigations can begin long before an indictment. When possible, we step in during the investigative stage to communicate with agents and prosecutors, preserve evidence, prepare the client, and work to influence the direction of the case before formal charges are brought.
Experience with complex, high-stakes cases
Federal prosecutions often involve lengthy investigations, multiple agencies, conspiracy allegations, and severe sentencing exposure. Barbieri Law Firm brings 25 years of practice and more than 55 years of combined team experience.
In-house reputation management
A federal investigation or indictment can affect a client’s career, business relationships, and public reputation. Our in-house support helps manage media attention and protect the client’s professional and personal standing throughout the case.
Focused representation and direct attorney access
Barbieri Law Firm intentionally limits its caseload so each federal case receives close attention. Clients have direct access to the legal team, and every matter is handled with discretion, preparation, and a strategy tailored to the specific allegations.
Get To Know Barbieri Law Firm, P.C.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. opened in 2000 and has spent 25 years defending serious criminal matters from its Frisco office, serving North Texas and the DFW Metroplex. Heather Barbieri has been Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 2005, a credential held by under 1% of Texas attorneys.
The team brings more than 55 combined years of criminal defense experience and has earned 260-plus client reviews. In-house investigation and in-house reputation management sit alongside the legal defense by design, not as an afterthought. Caseloads are limited so clients work directly with the attorney leading their defense.
How Do I Know If I Am Under Federal Investigation Before Anyone Tells Me?
You may be under federal investigation long before charges are filed, and federal agents are not required to tell you that you are a target.
Common warning signs include receiving a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, being served with a federal grand jury subpoena, having FBI, DEA, IRS, or other federal agents contact you for an interview, or learning that your bank, employer, business partner, or accountant received a subpoena for records connected to you.
Other signs may include federal agents executing a search warrant, freezing or seizing assets, interviewing employees or associates, or requesting large amounts of financial or electronic data.
If any of these occur, it is important to speak with a federal criminal defense attorney before answering questions, providing records voluntarily, or contacting investigators yourself. The period before an indictment can be one of the best opportunities to understand your status and begin building a defense.
Our Process for Texas Federal Cases
1. Confidential case evaluation
Your first call or message is protected by attorney-client privilege. We assess your federal exposure immediately and determine whether you are in the investigation phase or already facing indictment.
2. Early intervention
Where the window is still open, we engage before charges are filed. That means identifying the Assistant U.S. Attorney assigned to the matter, assessing grand jury activity, and shaping the pre-indictment narrative rather than reacting to it.
3. In-house investigation launch
Our investigation team is embedded with the legal team from day one. They secure and analyze digital evidence, financial records, billing and accounting documents, witness accounts, and the government’s own materials.
4. Defense strategy development
Heather Barbieri, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, builds the strategy around the potential charges, the federal sentencing guidelines, and the motions available to you. Suppression, dismissal, and Speedy Trial Act issues are identified early.
5. Pretrial litigation
We litigate motions, review discovery under Rule 16, and press Brady and Giglio demands for evidence the government must disclose. Detention and bond hearings are handled with the same preparation as trial.
6. Negotiation or trial
We weigh a plea agreement against trial with clear numbers and honest counsel, including substantial assistance considerations where they apply. If the answer is trial, we prepare for a federal jury.
7. Reputation management
In-house PR support runs parallel to the legal defense throughout. It manages media exposure and protects your professional standing, licenses, and business relationships while the case moves.
Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Crimes
Should I talk to federal agents without a lawyer present if I know I did nothing wrong?
No. Lying to a federal agent is itself a felony under 18 U.S.C. 1001, and agents can charge that offense even if the underlying conduct was lawful.
Can a federal case be resolved before an indictment is ever filed?
Sometimes, yes. Prosecutors have discretion before charges are returned, and defense counsel can present documents, forensic accounting analysis, and context that narrows the scope of the inquiry or shows the conduct is a civil or regulatory matter rather than a criminal one.
What actually happens at a federal grand jury, and can my lawyer be in the room?
A grand jury of up to 23 citizens hears evidence presented by the prosecutor and decides whether probable cause exists to indict. Your attorney cannot be present during your testimony, and there is no cross-examination or judge in the room.
How long does a federal criminal case take in the Northern District of Texas?
The investigation phase often runs one to three years before charges.
What does it really mean to cooperate with federal prosecutors?
Cooperation means providing truthful information, often about other people, in exchange for possible sentencing consideration under Section 5K1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines or Rule 35.
Can my current business attorney or state criminal lawyer just handle the federal side?
Federal practice requires separate admission to the district court, working knowledge of the Sentencing Guidelines, and experience with how a specific U.S. Attorney’s Office charges and negotiates.
Is a consultation about a federal investigation confidential if I have not been charged?
Yes.
Will an indictment alone cost me my professional license or board seat?
It can, because many licensing boards, lenders, and corporate bylaws trigger on indictment rather than conviction.
Local Resources in Texas for Federal Defense
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
The principal federal trial court handling criminal prosecutions brought in the Houston area.
- Harris County District Clerk’s Office
Maintains official court records and filings for cases within Harris County.
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas
The federal prosecutorial office responsible for bringing charges in this district.
- U.S. Marshals Service, Southern District of Texas
Manages custody of federal defendants and executes court orders within the district.
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Operates the county jail and provides law enforcement throughout unincorporated Harris County.
- Federal Public Defender, Southern District of Texas
Provides court-appointed legal representation to qualifying defendants charged with federal offenses.
- U.S. Probation Office, Southern District of Texas
Supervises individuals on federal probation or supervised release and prepares presentence reports.
- Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Houston
Conducts investigations into cross-border crimes, human trafficking, and financial fraud.
- Bureau of Prisons, Houston Processing Center
A federal detention facility holding individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences in the area.
Contact a Federal Crimes Defense Lawyer in Texas
Federal investigations are usually well underway before you know they exist. By the time a target letter, grand jury subpoena, or agent visit reaches you, prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas have often spent months building the record. The window to shape that record rather than react to it is open now, and it narrows every week.
Barbieri Law Firm, P.C. represents clients facing federal exposure across Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Collin County, and the wider DFW Metroplex. Cases are handled with an in-house investigation team and in-house reputation management engaged from the first call.
Call us to arrange a confidential consultation, or use the contact form for a discreet response. If you have received a target letter or been approached by federal agents, make the call before you say anything further.
