Federal Criminal Defense Attorney in Collin County

Local Help When Federal Charges Turn Your Life Upside Down

Learning that you are the target of a federal investigation or that you or a loved one has been charged in a federal case is frightening. The rules, agencies, and possible penalties often feel very different from what most people imagine when they think about criminal court. At McDaniel Law, a family-owned criminal defense firm based in Collin County, we help people in this community face serious and federal charges with clear guidance and focused representation.

As your situation unfolds, you may be asking whether you really need a federal criminal defense attorney in Collin County and what that lawyer can actually do for you. Our role is to step in early, protect your rights from the first contact with agents, and help you understand the decisions in front of you. We also look beyond the charges themselves and consider how this case affects your family, your work, and your mental health.

Speak with a Collin County federal crimes lawyer who understands the complexities of the federal sentencing guidelines. At McDaniel Law Group, PLLC, we provide free consultations and a dedicated defense against federal overreach. Call (469) 960-4067 or fill out our online form to get started.

Understanding Federal Crimes Laws in Texas

A federal crime involves a violation of the United States Code (U.S.C.) rather than the Texas Penal Code. These cases typically arise when the alleged activity crosses state lines, involves a federal agency, or occurs on federal property. In Collin County, federal cases are frequently prosecuted in the Sherman or Dallas divisions of the federal court system.

Common categories of federal offenses we handle include:

• Drug Trafficking and Conspiracy: Under 21 U.S.C. § 841 and § 846, the federal government prosecutes the manufacture, distribution, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. These often involve large-scale operations or the movement of narcotics across borders.
• White Collar Crimes: This broad category includes wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), mail fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering. These cases are document-heavy and often involve complex financial audits.
• Weapons Charges: Federal laws strictly regulate the possession and sale of firearms, especially for "prohibited persons" or cases involving altered serial numbers.
• Cybercrimes and Child Pornography: Offenses involving the internet or interstate communication fall squarely under federal jurisdiction, carrying some of the most stringent sentencing requirements in the country.

Differentiating a federal case from a state case is vital. Federal prosecutors generally do not bring a case unless they have a high probability of conviction, and the procedural rules in federal court are vastly different from those in McKinney or Plano state courts. As your Collin County federal crimes lawyer, we navigate these differences to protect your constitutional rights from day one.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Federal Convictions

Federal sentencing is governed by the United States Sentencing Guidelines (USSG). While no longer mandatory, these guidelines provide a rigid framework that federal judges use to determine prison time.

• Mandatory Minimums: Many federal drug and firearm offenses carry "mandatory minimum" sentences of 5, 10, or 20 years. In these cases, the judge has zero discretion to give a lighter sentence regardless of your background.
• No Parole: The federal system abolished parole in 1987. If you are sentenced to 120 months, you will serve nearly every day of that time, minus a small credit for "good behavior."
• Asset Forfeiture: The government can seize your home, your vehicles, and your bank accounts if they believe they were used in or derived from criminal activity.
• Collateral Sanctions: A federal felony conviction results in a lifetime ban on possessing firearms, the loss of voting rights, and the inability to hold many professional licenses. Furthermore, you will be barred from federal employment and may face a "civil death" where housing and credit become nearly impossible to obtain.

The Federal Criminal Defense Process in Collin County

The federal process moves with a clinical efficiency that can be terrifying for the uninitiated. Our firm manages every stage of this timeline:

• The Target Letter: Often, you will receive a letter informing you that you are the "target" of a grand jury investigation. This is the moment to hire a federal criminal defense attorney in Collin County. We may be able to negotiate before an indictment is even handed down.
• Grand Jury Indictment: Unlike state cases where a "probable cause" hearing is public, federal grand juries meet in secret. Once an indictment is returned, an arrest warrant is issued.
• Initial Appearance and Detention Hearing: Federal bail is not guaranteed. The government may move for "pretrial detention," meaning you stay in jail until trial. We fight for your release by proving you are not a flight risk or a danger to the community.
• Discovery and Rule 16: The government must turn over evidence, but the volume is often massive—terabytes of data or thousands of pages of financial records. We conduct a forensic review of every file.
• Plea Agreements and "Safety Valve": Over 90% of federal cases end in a plea. We work to secure "downward departures" or utilize the "safety valve" provision to bypass mandatory minimums for eligible clients.
• Trial and Sentencing: If we go to trial, we face a federal jury. If a conviction occurs, the "Sentencing Memorandum" we prepare is the most important document in your life, as it argues for a sentence below the guideline range.

Why Choose Our Federal Defense Team in Collin County

Choosing a lawyer for a federal case is not the same as finding help for a traffic ticket. You need someone who understands how federal investigations develop and who also knows how serious cases that begin here in this county move through the system. At McDaniel Law, we are a family-owned criminal and juvenile law firm rooted here, and we are committed to personal attention in serious matters.

Our team has built positive working relationships with judges and law enforcement who serve people in this area. While no relationship controls what a court or agency will do, familiarity with how local officers, investigators, and courts typically handle matters allows us to give clients informed advice. We work to use that insight to support fair treatment and constructive dialogue in your case.

We also bring a different perspective to federal criminal defense. Our founding attorney, Danny McDaniel, spent years as a business executive before entering the legal field. That background helps us approach white collar, business, and financial investigations with an understanding of company operations, records, and decision making.

Equally important, we do not view your case in isolation from your life. We pay attention to the mental health challenges, addictions, and personal stressors that often surround criminal charges. We work to connect clients with appropriate resources and, when the system allows it, we pursue diversion programs or alternatives to punishment that may support long term change instead of only short term penalties.

Protect your liberty and your assets by choosing a premier federal criminal defense attorney in Collin County. McDaniel Law Group, PLLC offers free consultations and relentless representation in the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas. Call (469) 960-4067 or contact us through our online form to schedule your case evaluation.