Las Vegas Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

District of Nevada Defense from a Team with 100+ Cases Tried to Verdict

A federal investigation doesn’t announce itself. The U.S. Attorney’s Office may have been building its case for months or years before you knew you were a target. If you’re facing federal charges in Las Vegas or anywhere in southern Nevada, you need a defense team that is already at home in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada, not one learning the system on your case.

Draskovich Horvath represents clients under federal investigation, arrested on federal charges, or formally indicted in the District of Nevada. We offer free consultations and provide Spanish-language representation. Contact us today to discuss your case.

Contact our Las Vegas federal criminal defense lawyers for your free consultation.

Why Las Vegas Clients Facing Federal Charges Choose Draskovich Horvath

Federal criminal defense demands more than general courtroom experience. It requires a track record in federal court specifically, knowledge of federal procedure and sentencing, and the credibility to challenge some of the most experienced prosecutors in the country. Draskovich Horvath brings all of that to every client we represent.

• 100+ cases tried to verdict by Attorney Robert M. Draskovich
• Over 20 years representing clients in Southern Nevada courts
• Over 30 years of collective criminal defense experience across the firm
• Over 10,000 court appearances, including federal proceedings
• Named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the American Trial Lawyers Association every year since 2007
• Recognized among the top 3% of criminal defense attorneys in the United States
• A substantial portion of our clients come from direct referrals, reflecting the trust we’ve built over decades

We don’t pass clients to junior staff. When you hire Draskovich Horvath, you work directly with experienced federal defense attorneys from the first consultation through resolution.

Our Federal Court Credentials in the District of Nevada

Being licensed in Nevada isn’t the same as being admitted to practice in federal court. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada operates under its own rules, standards, and culture, and not every Nevada-licensed attorney is admitted there.

Attorney Robert M. Draskovich was admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada in 1997 and is also admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He was appointed as a mentor for the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel for the Federal District of Nevada, guiding other attorneys through the complexities of federal court practice. He is a life member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. These credentials reflect years of active participation in the federal court system at every level.

The firm also deploys its own in-house investigator. When federal prosecutors have had months or years to build their case before you knew you were being investigated, that investigative resource matters from day one.

Federal Court vs. Nevada State Court: Why the Difference Matters

Many people assume a criminal case is a criminal case regardless of where it’s tried. Federal court is a different system with different rules, different prosecutors, and far less sentencing flexibility.

The Prosecution You’re Facing

Federal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, not county or district attorneys. These are some of the most experienced trial attorneys in the country, backed by the investigative resources of agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, and ATF. They are selective about the cases they bring, which means by the time you’re charged, they believe they have what they need to pursue a conviction.

Federal Sentencing Guidelines & Mandatory Minimums

Nevada state courts give judges significant discretion in sentencing. Federal courts don’t. The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines create structured sentencing ranges, and many federal charges carry mandatory minimum sentences that bind the judge regardless of individual circumstances. In practice, the plea and pre-trial phase of a federal case can be as consequential as the trial itself.

Discovery Rules & Investigation Timelines

Federal discovery is governed by rules including Brady v. Maryland and the Jencks Act, which control what prosecutors must disclose and when. The timelines and scope differ significantly from state court. Because federal investigations often run for months or years before an arrest, prosecutors typically hold a substantial evidence advantage by the time a defendant learns charges have been filed.

Where Federal Cases in Las Vegas Are Heard

District of Nevada cases are heard at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse, a separate building and system from the Regional Justice Center where state cases are tried. Attorneys who work primarily in state court are, in a meaningful sense, practicing in unfamiliar territory when they step into federal proceedings.

Federal Charges We Handle in Las Vegas

Federal prosecutors have broad authority to bring charges whenever a federal statute applies or the alleged conduct crossed state lines. Cases that begin as state matters can be elevated to federal prosecution. Common federal charges pursued in the District of Nevada include wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, money laundering, drug trafficking conspiracies, firearms offenses, identity theft, tax evasion, and public corruption.

We defend clients facing charges including:

• Federal white collar crimes
• Fraud and theft offenses
• RICO and racketeering charges
• Drug trafficking

The Federal Criminal Process in Nevada: From Investigation to Trial

Federal cases don’t begin at arrest. Understanding the full process clarifies why retaining a federal criminal defense attorney in Las Vegas well before charges are filed can affect every stage that follows.

Investigation

Federal investigations are conducted by the FBI, DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, ATF, and other agencies, and they can run for years. You may be unaware you’re a target. If you receive a target letter from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, you are formally identified as the subject of a grand jury investigation. That letter isn’t the time to wait and see.

Grand Jury & Indictment

A grand jury of citizens determines whether probable cause exists to formally indict. Proceedings are secret; you are not present. If the grand jury issues an indictment, you will be arraigned and enter a plea. A detention hearing under 18 U.S.C. Section 3142 then determines whether you’re released pending trial.

Pre-Trial & Plea Negotiations

Under the Speedy Trial Act (18 U.S.C. Section 3161), the government generally has 70 days from indictment or the defendant’s first court appearance, whichever is later, to bring the case to trial. That window is the defense’s opportunity to investigate suppression motions, challenge jurisdictional grounds, examine grand jury proceedings for procedural defects, and evaluate the government’s evidence. Federal plea negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office may involve cooperation agreements, sentencing recommendations, or charge reductions. Entering those discussions without experienced defense counsel in place is a significant disadvantage.

Trial

If the case proceeds to trial, federal proceedings demand preparation that matches the government’s own investment. Attorney Draskovich has tried more than 100 cases to verdict, and that depth of trial experience shapes how we prepare, from jury selection through cross-examination and sentencing advocacy.

How We Build a Federal Defense

Effective federal defense requires staying current on federal procedure, disclosure requirements, and sentencing guideline calculations. We apply that knowledge to the specific facts of each client’s case rather than relying on a template approach. Our in-house investigator works alongside our attorneys early in the case, building the factual record needed to challenge the government’s evidence, support suppression arguments, or establish mitigating factors at sentencing.

Federal Defense Across Multiple Districts

Our federal defense work extends beyond the District of Nevada. We have represented clients in federal court in the District of Utah, the Eastern District of Texas, the Southern District of Illinois, the Southern District of New York, and the District of Nevada. Each federal district has its own procedural practices and courtroom culture, and that multi-district experience shapes how we approach every case, from charges and plea bargaining through trial preparation and mandatory minimum sentencing arguments.