If you're on our website, it's because you're facing serious federal charges – and you know this isn't a state case where the consequences are lighter and maybe negotiable. At Spodek Law Group – we understand how devastating this is, and we take it deadly serious. Federal criminal cases in New Hampshire, whether in Concord, Manchester, Portsmouth or Nashua, move lightning fast – and the U.S. Attorney’s office, backed by federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS, ATF, Homeland Security, and others, is already stacking evidence against you. We want you to know – from the very first phone call – our loyalty is ironclad, it's owed to YOU and only you.

We’re not just local defense attorneys. We’re a nationally recognized federal defense team, with more than 50 years combined experience. We're known for handling complex, high-stakes legal battles that make headlines. Todd Spodek represented Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin, a story that became a Netflix series – and that kind of trust doesn’t just fall out of the sky. That trust comes from decades of putting everything on the line and winning cases where everyone else thought defeat was inevitable. Look, when you're facing federal charges in New Hampshire, this is battle mode, and we know exactly how to fight for your life.

Understanding Federal vs. State Charges in New Hampshire

Let me be blunt: federal court is a different planet compared to state Superior Court in Hillsborough or Rockingham. These aren’t cases where a small-town prosecutor can cut quick deals in a crowded docket. Federal prosecutors – led by U.S. Attorney Jane Young – bring cases only if they’ve been vetted, investigated, and lined with evidence that already feels overwhelming. And if the FBI or DEA has you on their radar, you’re not just dealing with a misunderstanding – you're in the crosshairs of the federal government.

All federal criminal cases here are tried in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire, in Concord. This is where federal judges like Chief Judge Landya McCafferty and Judge Paul Barbadoro preside. And it’s where courtroom rules, federal statutes, and guidelines dictate every single move. Cases can involve:

• Firearm prosecutions under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (felon-in-possession) or 18 U.S.C. § 924(c) (firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking).
• Doctors and providers accused under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841 and 846 for unlawful prescribing, conspiracy, and controlled substances trafficking.
• Wire fraud and bank fraud cases prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 1343, 1344, and 1349, often involving federally insured banks or interstate financial activity.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking a state-focused defense lawyer down the street can simply “learn” federal law on your case. Federal practice means filing motions citing federal rules of criminal procedure, navigating discovery governed by Brady and Giglio disclosures, and handling sentencing tied to rigid U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. You need – plain and simple – to hire a law firm that gets it.

Recent Federal Enforcement Trends in New Hampshire

This matters: we keep track of what the U.S. Attorney’s office in New Hampshire is actually prioritizing. Prosecutors don’t bring random cases, they focus resources. And right now, their playbook is obvious.

• Opioids & Prescription Drugs: In September 2023, a Concord press release highlighted charges against a physician accused of distributing oxycodone and benzos without a legitimate medical purpose. That’s 21 U.S.C. § 841 in action, and it shows the DEA is relentless on medical practices.
• Firearms & Violence: U.S. Attorney Jane Young personally stressed firearms prosecutions remain central. So if you’re charged under § 922 or § 924 with an ATF agent testifying, know this: they’re intent on making examples.
• Fraud & White Collar Crime: Wire fraud, healthcare fraud, PPP loan fraud, tax fraud – these dominate federal dockets. They prosecute under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 287, § 1347, § 371 (conspiracy), and believe me, it doesn’t matter if you thought it was “just paperwork issues,” they come heavy with felony charges.

This isn’t random enforcement. These are deliberate priorities, meant to send messages to communities. If your case falls into any of these categories – you’re in the bullseye, and the government is not giving you a break for being a good person with no priors.

How Federal Sentencing Works in New Hampshire

I’ll be straight with you: sentencing in federal court is brutal. Forget about cushy probation offers that sometimes happen at the state level. Instead, federal judges are bound by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines – with offense levels, criminal history categories, enhancements, and mandatory minimums often triggered by specific statutes. A non-violent fraud that feels small in state court can turn into years in prison here.

For instance, Jeremy Allin, 54, from Lancaster, got 14 months in federal prison handed down by Judge Christina Reiss for a non-violent federal property crime. No violence, no weapons – yet 14 months locked up. Why? Because the sentencing guidelines dictated it. And if mandatory minimums apply, say in drug trafficking cases involving certain quantities under § 841(b)(1)(A), judges literally can't go below 10 years no matter their personal views. That’s the federal system. Period.

Frequently Asked Questions We Hear

How much do lawyers charge for federal cases?

There's no flat answer here. Federal cases demand hours – discovery dumps in the thousands of pages, wiretap evidence, surveillance, forensic accountants in fraud cases, multi-defendant discovery. Preparation for trial is like preparing for war. Fees vary, but we’ll tell you upfront. No false promises. We explain what it takes, even if it’s not the answer you want, because lying to you about money doesn’t help anyone. Federal defense is literally an investment in your freedom, your family, your life.

Should I get a lawyer for a federal case?

Yes. Yesterday. The government rarely arrests out the blue, they investigate. Grand jury subpoenas, search warrants, interviews – signs are there. The earlier a federal criminal lawyer is retained, the more room to negotiate and sometimes even stop indictments altogether. Waiting until arraignment is a mistake that shrinks your options.

How much does a criminal lawyer cost in NH?

Let’s separate apples from oranges. A DUI in state court might cost one thing, but a federal drug conspiracy case under § 846 could cost 10x more in legal work. Federal defense is not priced like state defense. These cases take research, expert witnesses, evidentiary hearings, specialized motions. You cannot compare. Which is why serious defendants choose a rock star team – one with 50 years of combined experience and proven trial skill in federal courtrooms nationwide.

What is a federal lawyer called?

A federal criminal defense lawyer is an attorney admitted in U.S. District Court. Here, that’s Concord. That means fully licensed on the federal docket, subject to federal criminal procedure, capable of appearing in front of judges like Chief Judge McCafferty. It’s not just a title, it’s a requirement. Not everyone who calls themselves “criminal lawyer” can walk into federal court with credibility, argue a suppression motion, or handle sentencing mitigation.

Why Experience Actually Matters in NH Federal Court

Walking into the federal courthouse in Concord isn’t like walking into county court. The prosecutors are seasoned. The agents – FBI, IRS, ATF – they’ve built their case for months if not years. The judges, they make it clear: rules, guidelines, law first. No shortcuts. No handshakes and backroom deals. If you don’t have lawyers who’ve fought here hundreds of times, you’re not prepared to win. Period.

We don’t just put "experience" on a website and fluff it up. We have lived it. Todd Spodek represented Anna Sorokin – and look, the point is we win cases that others can’t even handle. That reputation matters because prosecutors know it, judges know it, and opponents know we don’t just fold under pressure. Our philosophy? Fight every case like it’s our own life at stake. Because for you, it is.

Types of Federal Charges We Defend in New Hampshire

The Spodek Law Group defends virtually every type of federal offense, including:

• Drug Crimes: § 841 trafficking, distribution conspiracies under § 846, prescription fraud, DEA-led opioid investigations.
• Financial/White Collar: Bank fraud § 1344, wire fraud § 1343, securities fraud, PPP fraud, healthcare fraud under § 1347, and IRS-related tax prosecutions.
• Firearm Offenses: § 922(g) felon in possession, § 924(c) gun possession during drug trafficking or crimes of violence, straw purchasing cases tied to ATF task forces.
• Cybercrime & Internet Crimes: Identity theft § 1028, computer intrusions, online exploitation, Homeland Security and FBI-led cyber units.
• Conspiracy & RICO: Multi-defendant indictments under § 1962 (RICO), drug or fraud conspiracies that carry 20 to life, especially in organized operations.

Here’s reality: you don’t decide whether you’re prosecuted federally. The government decides. Once they take it federal, you’re in Concord, in front of judges who sentence by the book. That’s why being ready for ANYTHING is non-negotiable. We prepare like it's war, because it is.

Taking Action: Protect Yourself Now

Federal charges threaten everything – your freedom, your family, your money, your reputation, your entire future. Federal agents already have a head start. They have the FBI, IRS, DEA, ATF working together. You absolutely cannot risk answering a single question without representation; and no, “I’ll just explain myself” doesn’t work here. That just makes their case stronger.

Call us. Email us. Walk into our office. Whatever works. But don’t make the mistake of waiting until your arraignment in Concord to realize you’re in over your head. When you hire us, you get a team that’s been there before, in those courtrooms, against those prosecutors. We will fight – whatever it takes, for however long it takes – to get you the very best outcome possible.

I’ll be honest with you – not every lawyer belongs in federal court. A PD or a state-only defense attorney may mean well, but good intentions don’t fend off a mandatory 10 year sentence, good intentions don’t stop forfeiture of your bank account, and good intentions don’t convince a judge to grant a downward departure. What you need is a firm that doesn’t flinch, that knows every statute, that lives and breathes this fight. Spodek Law Group does exactly that.

We are 100% loyal to you – and only to you. If you’re facing federal charges in the District of New Hampshire, reach out right now. Don’t wait, don’t gamble. Let us carry that burden with you, and believe me when I say this: we’ll fight like hell to win, because when it comes to federal court, there are no second chances.