This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founder, Daniel Perlman who has years of legal experience as a Federal Crimes attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last updated & reviewed.
Facing federal criminal charges can feel overwhelming. An indictment from a grand jury may sound like the case is already lost, but that’s not true. Being indicted is just one step in a much longer process. Even after an indictment, it may still be possible to have charges dismissed or reduced. But it takes legal strategy and experience.
At Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, we help people charged in federal court protect their rights and fight for better outcomes. We understand how the criminal justice system works and how federal prosecutors build their cases.
If you were indicted, we’re here to look at every part of the case, how it was built, whether there’s enough evidence, and if your rights were violated. Our job is to challenge weak charges and push back at every stage of the process.
A federal indictment is a formal accusation. It means the government believes it has enough proof to charge you with a federal crime. This decision is usually made after a grand jury hears the case. If they find probable cause, they issue an indictment.
It’s important to know that an indictment is not the same as a conviction. You are not found guilty just because a grand jury indicted you. The prosecution still has to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in federal court.
The rules for grand jury proceedings are different from what happens in a regular trial. In most cases, you don’t get to speak, and your lawyer isn’t allowed in the room. The only side presented is the prosecution's case, which is why indictments are common, even in weak cases.
A federal grand jury is a group of 16 to 23 people who listen to evidence and decide whether to indict someone. They do not decide if someone is guilty. They only decide if there's probable cause to believe a crime was committed.
The process is one-sided. The prosecution's case is the only version the jury hears. The person being investigated usually doesn’t get to testify or show their side. There’s no judge, and defense attorneys are not allowed in the room.
Because the grand jury only hears one side, many indictments go forward even in cases with insufficient evidence. That’s why having a strong criminal defense attorney after indictment is so important.
The probable cause standard is lower than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” It means the grand jury only needs to believe there’s a fair reason to think a crime was committed and that the person charged might be involved.
This is not a full trial. The grand jury doesn’t have to be convinced you committed the crime. They just need to believe there’s a good chance you did. That’s why many indictments happen even when the prosecution's case is weak.
Even though it’s a low standard, federal charges are still very serious. Once you’re indicted, the case moves forward in federal court, and the penalties can be severe.
Being indicted means the federal government is officially accusing you of a crime. It does not mean you’re guilty. It doesn’t mean the case is strong, and it doesn’t mean you will go to prison. An indictment is just the starting point for the case in federal court. You still have the right to a trial, the right to see the evidence, and the right to fight the charges with your criminal defense lawyer.
Some indictments are based on illegally obtained evidence or mistakes in the process. Others lack exculpatory evidence that should have been presented. A good criminal defense attorney will look at every detail to find problems that may lead to charges being dropped after indictment.
Yes, in some cases, federal charges can still be dropped after an indictment. But it’s not easy. Once the grand jury issues the indictment, the case is officially moving forward in federal court. That said, the prosecution can still choose to dismiss the charges or agree to a deal, especially if problems are found with the case.
Your defense lawyer will review everything the government has. If there's not enough evidence, or if your rights were violated, there may be a path to get the charges dismissed. In other situations, the defense can work to get the charges reduced or push for a lighter sentence.
The key is acting fast and working with an attorney who knows how the federal justice system works. The sooner you act, the better your chances.
One reason federal charges may be dropped is if the case has legal problems. If law enforcement broke the rules during your arrest or search, that’s a serious issue. For example, if evidence was taken without a warrant or your rights were not read, your lawyer can challenge that in court.
Another issue is insufficient evidence. The prosecution must prove the charges with strong facts. If the case is based on bad witness testimony, weak documents, or unclear video, that can be challenged. Sometimes, the prosecution will decide it’s not worth continuing if their case is falling apart.
Also, if new evidence appears that proves you didn’t commit the crime, like exculpatory evidence, your lawyer can demand the charges be dropped. This may include video footage, phone records, or statements that were missed earlier.
In some cases, the prosecution may decide to dismiss the charges for other reasons. They may realize the case is not strong. Or they may believe that moving forward would not serve the public well.
This is called dismissing the case “in the interest of justice.” It doesn’t happen often, but it’s possible. Sometimes, a witness changes their story. Other times, the government learns that you were not as involved as they first believed.
Your defense lawyer can speak with the prosecutor and try to reach an agreement. If the charges are weak or the punishment seems too harsh, the prosecution may agree to drop the case completely—or at least reduce the charges.
Even if the federal charges are not dropped, your attorney may still be able to reduce the damage. That can mean fewer charges, lower sentencing, or avoiding prison time completely.
Your lawyer can point out issues in the prosecution's case, bring in expert opinions, or show that your role was smaller than claimed. If you’ve never been in trouble before, that can help too. Sometimes, just proving you were not the leader or main player in the case can lead to a better deal.
Plea bargains are also possible. The prosecution may offer a deal for you to admit to a lower charge in exchange for a shorter sentence. This doesn’t mean you’re guilty, but it means that your lawyer helped reduce your risk.
After a federal indictment, having the right lawyer is one of the most important decisions you can make. A skilled criminal defense attorney can challenge the evidence, expose weak points in the case, and protect your rights at every stage.
Federal charges come with tough rules, serious penalties, and experienced prosecutors. You need someone who knows the system and can fight back the right way. Here’s what your lawyer can do:
Your attorney will carefully look at the indictment and every piece of evidence the prosecution has. This includes police reports, witness statements, videos, and any items collected during the arrest.
If any evidence was collected in the wrong way, like without a warrant or from an illegal search, your lawyer can file a motion to suppress it. That means the court might not allow it to be used at trial. This alone can weaken the entire case.
Your lawyer will also look for anything that supports your side. This includes exculpatory evidence that shows you didn’t do what the government claims. If something important was left out of the grand jury process, that could be a reason to fight back.
A good federal criminal defense attorney knows how to talk with prosecutors and push for better results. They can explain why the charges should be dropped, reduced, or handled through a lighter deal.
In many cases, the prosecution is willing to listen, especially if your role in the case was small, if your background is clean, or if the evidence isn’t very strong. Your lawyer can also point out problems in the case that make a conviction less likely. This negotiation process is key. It can lead to a dismissal, a plea deal with fewer consequences, or an agreement to avoid jail.
If the case moves forward and no deal is made, your lawyer will prepare to defend you in federal court. That includes picking a fair jury, cross-examining witnesses, and presenting strong evidence on your behalf.
A trial is serious, and the stakes are high. But with the right strategy, it’s possible to beat the charges. Your attorney’s job is to make sure your side is heard clearly and to hold the prosecution to its burden of proof. Even if the odds feel against you, a skilled trial lawyer can make a big difference in how your case ends.
Yes. In some cases, charges can be dropped if there are legal errors, constitutional violations, or not enough evidence to support the alleged crime. A strong legal strategy can make a difference.
A federal criminal defense lawyer reviews the case, looks for mistakes, challenges weak evidence, and fights to get the best result. They may also file pre-trial motions to dismiss charges or suppress evidence.
Pre-trial motions are legal requests made before trial. They can ask the court to dismiss charges, block unfair evidence, or fix problems in the case. These motions can be powerful tools.
Yes. An indictment only starts the process. You still have the right to a trial. A good lawyer will prepare your defense and make sure the jury hears your side of the story.
If you're wrongly accused of an alleged crime, your lawyer can gather proof, question the evidence, and show the truth in court. Many people are cleared when the facts finally come out.
If you've been indicted or charged with a federal crime, you need help fast. Federal prosecutors are aggressive, and the penalties are severe. But being indicted does not mean you’re guilty. You still have rights, and you deserve a fair chance to defend yourself.
Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers fights hard for people facing serious charges. We know how the federal court system works and how to challenge the government's case. We look closely for any constitutional violations, weak spots in the evidence, and legal errors that could help get your charges dropped or reduced.
We take every case seriously, and we’re ready to start working for you now. Call us today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer. We'll listen to your situation, explain your options, and guide you through every step of your case.
Daniel R. Perlman, the founding attorney at Perlman Defense Federal Criminal Lawyers, leverages his extensive background as a former prosecutor to provide superior defense strategies for clients across federal courtrooms. Earning his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law, he first honed his legal skills with the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office.
This diverse experience enables him to advocate effectively, understanding prosecution tactics intimately, which he expertly counters in defense of his clients. With a profound commitment to justice, Daniel leads his team in tackling complex federal cases, from white-collar crimes to violent offenses, ensuring the highest level of defense through every phase of the criminal process.
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