Federal criminal cases in San Diego are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of California in the federal courthouse downtown, under federal statutes and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines rather than the California Penal Code. Any federal offense punishable by more than one year in prison must be charged by a grand jury indictment unless the defendant waives it in open court (Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 7).

Unlike most state cases, federal cases usually begin long before an arrest. The FBI, IRS, ATF and other federal agencies gather documents, records and witness statements first, because prosecutors want a case they expect to win before they file it. Nearly every federal case ends in a guilty plea rather than a trial: of the 2,661 people sentenced in the Southern District of California in fiscal year 2025, 98.8 percent had pleaded guilty, according to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. That is why the early investigation, the terms of any plea agreement and the sentencing arguments matter so much.

If you have been charged with a white collar crime like money laundering or tax fraud, or if you've been indicted on drug charges, conspiracy, or internet-based crimes, call Marc Kohnen today for a confidential consultation. Mr. Kohnen has been televised nationally, appearing on NBC, CBS, and ABC. Marc has handled many high-profile cases, from murder and white collar crime to organized crime and drug trafficking charges. Kohnen is a trusted adviser in your corner. Call today to speak to Marc directly.

What Should You Do After a Federal Indictment or an FBI Visit?

A federal indictment or a visit from an FBI agent asking you a lot of questions usually causes enormous anxiety. Even if you have been preparing for it, no one ever wants to face down the federal law enforcement agencies. Right now you may be wondering what to do next. How do you find a lawyer who understands federal crimes, what are your options, will you go to federal prison? These are the questions most of our federal criminal defense clients tell us they asked themselves right after an arrest. Rightfully so: federal charges can carry decades in custody.

Marc, however, urges you not to panic. Letting anxiety and fear direct your legal decisions will not help you or your defense. You need to think clearly, and you need to believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Marc can help you with that. You have been hit with a federal indictment, and now you need a federal criminal defense attorney in San Diego to protect your rights and defend your freedom.

Before you hire a federal defense lawyer, ask how often they appear in federal court, who will actually handle your case, and how they will keep you informed. Read what past clients say, and meet the lawyer in person. Marc offers a free, confidential consultation, and you speak with him directly. Don't wait another minute. Call the Law Office of Marc S. Kohnen today.

Marc Kohnen at a press conference

What Options Do You Have After a Federal Charge?

Understanding your federal charges, the law, and your defense options can be difficult. Some clients who are indicted want to limit their exposure and negotiate a plea agreement, and Marc handles federal plea negotiations as well. For people with a substance abuse problem, time in custody can also be shortened through the Bureau of Prisons' Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP): a person convicted of a nonviolent offense who completes the program can have their time in custody reduced by up to one year (18 U.S.C. 3621(e)).

The point is this: you do have options after a federal charge, and in most cases your life is not over. A criminal defense lawyer who understands how federal cases differ from state charges can be a powerful ally when taking on the government. Read the information throughout the Federal Charges section of our website to learn more about your case and potential options, and if you have further questions about your specific circumstances, call us for a confidential consultation.

How Do You Choose a Federal Criminal Defense Attorney?

Once you've been arrested or indicted, it is natural to want the best lawyer money can buy. Marc will be the first to tell you that no lawyer can truthfully claim to be the best, and California's rules of professional conduct don't allow lawyers to advertise that way. The more useful question is which lawyer is right for you and your case. Marc believes in one-on-one communication, and his cases and commentary have been broadcast on national networks including NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN.

Marc represents public figures and people in the media, and he also defends white collar crime charges, people in high-profile business positions, internet crimes, and violent crimes. Two additional areas in which Marc has significant experience are RICO and organized crime cases.

Marc Kohnen knows how stressful this time in your life can be. To help guide you through it, Marc offers a free, confidential consultation. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Hire a San Diego Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

A federal criminal defense attorney in San Diego like Marc Kohnen builds his practice around defending people who face pending criminal charges. Marc S. Kohnen handles cases relating to drug offenses, drug trafficking, white collar crime, RICO, and organized crime, to name a few. If you've been charged, contact our San Diego law office immediately to speak with a San Diego criminal defense attorney. We protect your rights every step of the way and fight for reduced or dropped charges.

Criminal accusations can have both immediate and long-term consequences that change the course of a person's life. Whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor, a felony or a federal offense, representation by a knowledgeable criminal lawyer in San Diego is imperative. The Law Office of Marc S. Kohnen is dedicated to providing clients facing criminal charges with effective and committed representation.

Attorney Marc S. Kohnen has represented clients in criminal cases since 2008, and he provides the focused and determined legal help you will need. He will aggressively challenge the prosecution's case and protect your constitutional rights.

Here are some things you might want to consider after an arrest.

If I get arrested in San Diego, what should I do?

Regardless of the accusations made against you, if you are arrested you should not resist being taken into custody, as this will only complicate your case and make matters worse. Provide the officers with your identification information but then tell them you will not say anything further until you have an attorney present, and stay quiet until your legal counselor is by your side.

Should I talk to the police?

You should not talk to law enforcement without guidance from a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney. Law enforcement agencies are allowed to lie to suspects in order to obtain information, so it is crucial that you do not say a word without an attorney to inform you of your rights and to instruct you about which questions you should or should not answer.

When should I call an attorney?

It is in your best interests to obtain the legal counsel of a criminal defense attorney in San Diego as soon as you are aware that you are under investigation or arrested for an alleged offense. Even if you are not yet formally charged with a crime, it is crucial that you talk to a lawyer about your rights and options.

How can I lower my Federal Prison Sentence?

Sometimes clients call us and they simply know they are guilty. Instead of trying to fight the case, they want to lower their time in custody. Other things, like being housed close to family when children are involved and getting time to put your affairs in order before you are detained, are all things a San Diego federal criminal defense attorney can help with. When a defendant has medical issues, the attorney may be able to present medical documentation to the Bureau of Prisons in an effort to have the person placed in a medical facility. For white collar crimes or first-time non-violent offenders, you might even be able to be placed in a federal prison camp. Some federal prisons also offer school and college courses, work training certification classes for trades such as HVAC and welding, and UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries) jobs. The simple fact is that you have a chance at a second life, and Marc Kohnen will walk through the fire with you. He is not just an attorney; he is a trusted adviser who will do all he can to get you and your family through this. Here are some resources to review; also please call us directly to discuss your options.

List of federal prisons and facility information (Bureau of Prisons)
What RDAP is and how it can take time off your sentence
How a federal plea deal works (DOJ's steps in the federal criminal process)
Education programs offered in federal prisons

If you are ready to hire a San Diego federal criminal defense lawyer, call our office today. Marc has handled state and federal criminal charges since 2008, and his cases have been covered by national outlets from NBC to ABC. We defend white collar crime, murder, fraud, violent acts, conspiracy, RICO and organized crime, as well as all federal criminal charges. Call today to schedule a confidential consultation with Mr. Kohnen.

San Diego Federal Criminal Defense Attorney