Call or Text 612-605-3989 for a confidential consultation.
Types of Federal Crimes We Help With
Federal crimes carry significantly harsher penalties than their state counterparts. The federal sentencing guidelines, mandatory minimums, and the reality that federal prison means serving at least 85% of your sentence make early preparation critical. Below are the most common federal offenses our clients face — and the specific ways we help at every stage.
White-Collar and Financial Crimes
Financial crimes are the fastest-growing category of federal prosecution. In FY 2024, 5,015 individuals were sentenced for theft, property destruction, and fraud offenses, a 15% increase since FY 2020 (USSC). The average sentence was 22 months, with 74.2% receiving prison time. But these averages mask enormous variation — sentences depend heavily on loss amount, number of victims, role in the offense, and how well you prepare.
| Offense | Federal Statute | Max Penalty | Avg Sentence (FY24) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wire Fraud | 18 U.S.C. § 1343 | 20 years (30 if financial institution) | 22 months* |
| Mail Fraud | 18 U.S.C. § 1341 | 20 years (30 if financial institution) | 22 months* |
| Bank Fraud | 18 U.S.C. § 1344 | 30 years | 22 months* |
| Tax Fraud | 26 U.S.C. § 7206 | 3 years per count | 15 months |
| Tax Evasion | 26 U.S.C. § 7201 | 5 years per count | 15 months |
| Insider Trading | 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b) | 20 years | 38 months† |
| Securities Fraud | 15 U.S.C. § 78ff / 18 U.S.C. § 1348 | 25 years | 38 months† |
| Money Laundering | 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956–1957 | 20 years | 62 months |
| Embezzlement | 18 U.S.C. § 666 / § 641 | 10–20 years | 22 months* |
* Average for all fraud/theft offenses under USSG §2B1.1 (USSC FY 2024). † Average for securities and investment fraud (USSC FY 2024).
Drug and Firearms Offenses
Drug trafficking and firearms offenses carry some of the longest sentences in the federal system — and they are the two most common reasons people go to federal prison. Together, they account for more than 40% of all federal sentences.
| Offense | Federal Statute | Cases (FY24) | Avg Sentence | Prison Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Trafficking | 21 U.S.C. §§ 841, 846 | 18,029 | 82 months | 96.5% |
| Firearms Offenses | 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g), 924(c) | 7,419 | 71 months | 97.7% |
How Federal Case Consulting Helps — Regardless of the Charge
Every federal case moves through the same phases: investigation, indictment, plea or trial, pre-sentence investigation, sentencing, and incarceration. What changes based on the specific charge is the guideline calculation, the enhancements that apply, the mandatory minimums at play, and the specific mitigation strategies that are most effective. We tailor our approach to the offense you are facing.
Pre-Sentencing
- Pre-Sentence Report (PSR) preparation — We help you and your attorney prepare for the PSR interview, identify objections to draft PSR findings, and ensure the probation officer has a complete picture of your personal history and mitigating factors. In white-collar cases, PSR disputes over loss amount and number of victims can shift your guideline range by years.
- Sentencing hearing preparation — Allocution coaching, character reference letter strategy, and courtroom presentation. Judges have stated that allocution influences their sentencing decisions.
- Sentencing memorandum support — We provide your attorney with personal history documentation, mitigation themes, and § 3553(a) factor analysis specific to your offense type.
Post-Sentencing
- Prison preparation — BOP designation advocacy, facility research, intake preparation, and daily life planning. We know these facilities from the inside.
- Post-conviction services — First Step Act earned time credit monitoring, RDAP enrollment strategy, administrative remedies, compassionate release evaluation, and halfway house/home confinement placement.
- Family support — Visitation logistics, communication systems, financial planning, and emotional preparation for your entire family.
The earlier you engage a consultant, the better your outcome. The pre-sentence phase is where the most ground can be gained — or lost. Once you are sentenced, your options narrow significantly. If you or someone you love is facing any federal charge, contact us now.
The Reality of Federal Sentencing
Federal sentencing is fundamentally different from state court. There is no parole in the federal system. You will serve at least 85% of your sentence under the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. Good time credits reduce your sentence by a maximum of 54 days per year served. The First Step Act of 2018 created additional earned time credits, but a February 2026 GAO report found that the BOP failed to properly apply these credits for 21,190 of 29,934 individuals reviewed — over 70% (GAO, 2026). Without someone monitoring your credits, the system will not correct itself.
The federal sentencing guidelines are advisory since United States v. Booker (2005), meaning judges have discretion to impose sentences above or below the guideline range. In FY 2024, the average sentence across all federal offenses was 52 months (USSC Annual Report, 2024). But that number means nothing without context — sentences ranged from probation to life, depending on the offense, the defendant’s history, and the quality of preparation.
Why Preparation Matters More Than the Charge
We have seen clients facing serious charges receive far better outcomes than the guidelines suggested — and we have seen clients facing relatively minor charges receive sentences that devastated their families. The difference was always preparation.
A well-prepared defendant walks into sentencing with:
- A PSR that has been reviewed and corrected — errors in the PSR directly inflate your guideline range
- A powerful allocution — your one chance to speak directly to the judge as a human being
- Strategic character reference letters — 8 to 15 letters that paint a complete picture of who you are beyond the offense
- A documented history of rehabilitation — counseling, community service, restitution, education
- A concrete plan for the future — judges want to know that incarceration will not be wasted on you
- A post-sentencing strategy — BOP designation preferences, program eligibility, family logistics
This is exactly what we help you build. We have been through the federal system ourselves. We know what works because we have lived it.
Facing Federal Charges? We Have Been Where You Are.
We built this firm because we lived through the federal system and saw how unprepared most people are. Let us help you prepare for what is ahead.
Call or Text: 612-605-3989
Email: info@federalcaseconsulting.com
Confidential consultations available. We respond within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the type of federal crime I am charged with determine my sentence?
The specific charge sets the statutory maximum penalty and determines which sentencing guideline applies, but the actual sentence depends on many additional factors: loss amount, number of victims, your role in the offense, criminal history, and what you present at sentencing. In FY 2024, roughly 42% of all federal sentences fell below the guideline range (USSC). The charge is the starting point, not the ending point.
When should I contact a federal case consultant?
As early as possible — ideally as soon as you know you are under investigation or have been charged. The pre-sentence phase is where the most ground can be gained. PSR preparation, allocution coaching, character letter strategy, and sentencing memorandum support all take time to do properly. We recommend engaging us at least six to eight weeks before your sentencing date, though earlier is always better.
Can you help if I have already been sentenced?
Yes. Our post-conviction services help you navigate the Bureau of Prisons, monitor First Step Act earned time credits, pursue RDAP enrollment for up to 12 months of sentence reduction, file administrative remedies, and plan for halfway house and home confinement placement. A February 2026 GAO report found the BOP miscalculated credits for over 70% of eligible inmates — without advocacy, you may not receive the time you have earned.
What is the difference between a federal case consultant and an attorney?
We are not attorneys and do not provide legal representation. Your attorney handles the legal strategy — plea negotiations, guideline calculations, motions, and courtroom arguments. We handle the personal and strategic dimensions that most law firms do not: PSR interview preparation, allocution coaching, character letter management, prison preparation, BOP designation advocacy, and family support. The two roles complement each other, and most defense attorneys welcome our involvement.
Will I definitely go to prison for a federal crime?
Not necessarily. Prison rates vary significantly by offense type. In FY 2024, 96.5% of drug trafficking defendants received prison time, compared to 66.0% of tax fraud defendants (USSC Quick Facts). Factors like criminal history, loss amount, cooperation, and rehabilitation efforts all influence whether the judge imposes incarceration or an alternative sentence. Proper preparation maximizes your chances of the best possible outcome.
How much does federal case consulting cost?
Our fees depend on the scope of services you need and where you are in the process. We offer a free initial consultation to understand your situation and recommend a plan. Consider the cost in context: every additional month of incarceration costs your family an average of $1,803 in lost income, communication, travel, and childcare expenses (FWD.us/Duke University, 2025). The return on investment is measured in time — the most valuable thing you have.
Do you handle cases nationwide?
Yes. Federal law is uniform across all 94 federal judicial districts, and the BOP operates facilities nationwide. We work with clients facing charges in any federal court and help with designation to any federal facility. Much of our work — PSR preparation, allocution coaching, character letter strategy, and post-conviction advocacy — can be done remotely, though we are available for in-person meetings when needed.
Your Future Is Not Decided Yet
The worst thing you can do right now is nothing. Contact us today for a confidential consultation.
Call or Text: 612-605-3989
Email: info@federalcaseconsulting.com
Confidential consultations available. We respond within 24 hours.
Sources:
[1] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Annual Report 2024. ussc.gov
[2] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Quick Facts: Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud Offenses, FY 2024. ussc.gov
[3] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Quick Facts: Drug Trafficking Offenses, FY 2024. ussc.gov
[4] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Quick Facts: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) Firearms Offenses, FY 2024. ussc.gov
[5] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Quick Facts: Securities & Investment Fraud Offenses, FY 2024. ussc.gov
[6] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Quick Facts: Tax Fraud Offenses, FY 2024. ussc.gov
[7] U.S. Sentencing Commission, Quick Facts: Money Laundering, FY 2024. ussc.gov
[8] U.S. Government Accountability Office, Bureau of Prisons: Improved Guidance and Oversight of First Step Act Implementation Needed, GAO-26-107268. gao.gov
[9] FWD.us/Duke University, The Economic Burden of Incarceration on U.S. Families. stateline.org
Disclaimer: Federal Case Consulting does not act as your legal representation and cannot guarantee any outcomes. The information on this page is for educational purposes and should not be construed as legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific legal situation.