Savannah Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer

| by Max Soni

Last Updated on: 30th September 2025, 09:25 pm

Savannah Federal Criminal Lawyer

If you’re on our website, it’s because you’re facing serious federal charges – and need a Savannah federal criminal lawyer who knows exactly what you’re up against. At Spodek Law Group, we understand how terrifying this feels. Federal cases are different – they’re not handled like state cases in Chatham County court. You’re looking at the full weight of the FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, ICE, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia crashing down on you. And it only takes one federal charge to wreck everything you’ve built. That isn’t scare language – it’s reality.

Why Federal Charges in Savannah Are Unlike Anything Else You’ll Face

Here’s the truth: Savannah federal prosecutions are brutal. The Southern District of Georgia, headquartered right here in Savannah, is considered one of the toughest venues in the country. Judges in this district are known for sticking to sentencing guidelines. Prosecutors push hard. And small details can mean decades in prison. For example – Charles Harmon Porter, right here in Savannah, was sentenced to 100 months in prison over a single bullet. Think about that. One bullet, not even a firearm, turned into 8+ years in a federal penitentiary. That’s the difference between state charges and federal ones. In federal court, there is no such thing as a little case.

Look, I’m going to be blunt: If you underestimate the feds, you lose everything. They have unlimited resources, task forces, specialized agents, and people working 24/7 to convict. Federal indictments often cite specific statutes like 21 U.S.C. § 841 for narcotics offenses, or 18 U.S.C. § 1343 for wire fraud. It’s cold, it’s clinical, and it’s devastating if you don’t know how to respond. You need legal representation that gets it, right from the very start.

Understanding Federal Criminal Charges in Savannah

Federal vs. state matters here. Most criminal prosecutions in Savannah happen in state court through the Chatham County District Attorney. But once the U.S. Attorney’s Office steps in—you’re in a different world. Federal charges are handled in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. That means stricter timelines, stricter filing rules, and harsher sentencing guidelines than what you’d expect in Chatham County Superior Court. It also means your trial could be scheduled much faster than you’re prepared for—federal judges don’t allow delays the way some local courts do.

Common question we hear: What’s the difference between state and federal charges? State charges are usually local crimes—DUIs, bar fights, burglary. Federal charges involve interstate conduct, federal jurisdiction, or crimes investigated by agencies like the FBI or DEA. Examples? Wire fraud involving multiple states. Drug trafficking across I‑95. Immigration raids at workplaces—like when ICE detained nearly 475 workers at the Hyundai facility near Savannah. These things don’t go through state court. They go federal.

And federal court here isn’t easy. Hearings are in the Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, which sits right in downtown Savannah. The prosecutors out of that office are relentless. They cite cases like U.S. v. Booker or U.S. v. Apprendi when it favors them, but they’ll fight tooth and nail to block you from any downward departure or variance. That’s what we’re up against.

Common Federal Cases Prosecuted in Savannah

• Firearms Offenses: You don’t have to be caught with a gun. In Porter’s case, it was just one bullet. The feds don’t play games when someone has priors. Charges usually brought under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) for felon in possession.
• Drug Trafficking & Conspiracy: Savannah is a major corridor on I‑95. DEA and ATF investigations are routine here. Conspiracy charges under 21 U.S.C. § 846 mean you get pulled in even if your role was minor.
• Immigration Enforcement: ICE raids and workplace sweeps are common—hundreds of people can get swept up in a single operation. Employers can face charges under 8 U.S.C. § 1324.
• Financial Crimes: Fraud, embezzlement, healthcare fraud. Savannah federal prosecutors are relentless about white collar cases, especially after the Netflix/Anna Delvey case captured national attention about how far financial crime cases can spiral. Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) and mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341) are federal prosecutors’ favorite tools.

Question: When do you need a federal criminal lawyer? The moment investigators show up. If you get a subpoena, a target letter, or even phone calls from federal agents—you need to call us immediately. Waiting even a week can destroy critical defenses. I’ve seen people try to talk their way out of it with the FBI in Savannah—next thing they know they’re facing an obstruction charge under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 just for misstatements. Don’t do it.

The Stakes: Why Federal Sentencing is Ruthless in Savannah

There’s a reason people panic when they hear “federal charges.” Sentences are driven by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. They aren’t soft. They calculate offense levels and criminal history scores in cold numbers—and those numbers translate into years of prison. Then layer on mandatory minimums: 5 years, 10 years, even 20 years mandatory for drug trafficking, firearms, or repeat immigration cases. Sometimes counts stack into 50+ years. We’re not exaggerating.

This isn’t like state court where discretion allows flexibility. And yet—this is exactly why skilled federal counsel matters. We negotiate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We attack indictments. We argue for downward departures. We fight sentencing enhancements like “career offender” designations that can add decades. Without a federal lawyer, you’re flying blind into a system designed for convictions.

Spodek Law Group: Federal Defense with National Reach, Local Insight

Spodek Law Group doesn’t just dabble. We’re a recognized federal criminal defense firm with cases across the entire country. And we know Savannah because we’ve practiced in the Southern District of Georgia federal courts. That courtroom culture matters—you need someone familiar with the judges, the procedures, the clerks. When Savannah residents face the alphabet soup of DOJ, DEA, FBI, and ICE—the difference is the lawyer standing next to them in federal court.

We’re not saying this lightly. Our team has handled multi‑million dollar frauds, massive narcotics conspiracies, gun charges, immigration prosecutions. And yes, one of Todd Spodek’s most famous cases—Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin—was so impactful it became a Netflix series. You need to hire a law firm that gets it, whether you’re facing prison over one bullet or over a $20 million fraud indictment. We’ve handled cases that… look, the point is we win. We’ve built a reputation for winning cases that other lawyers say can’t be won.

Cost, Value, and What’s at Risk

Question: How much does a Savannah federal criminal lawyer cost? It’s not cheap. Let’s be real about that. But when you’re facing the possibility of 20, 30, 40 years in prison—legal fees can’t even be compared to what’s on the line. Your freedom, your family, your job, your reputation. Hiring the right lawyer is about survival—not money.

We hear people say, “But what if I can’t afford?”… and the truth is—you can’t afford not to. One bad move in federal court, one poorly handled step, and it’s over. This is life or death. And federal agents don’t care if you had a bad lawyer. The judge doesn’t care if you couldn’t pay. The Bureau of Prisons doesn’t care either. Once you’re sentenced, that’s that.

How to Choose the Best Savannah Federal Defense Lawyer

You want someone who understands the Southern District of Georgia specifically. Someone with experience in front of those judges. Someone who knows how to handle sentencing guidelines and make prosecutors budge when it seems impossible. I’ll be straight with you—most lawyers don’t want federal cases because they’re too complicated, too unforgiving. That’s why we exist.

Checklist to consider:

• Experience specifically in Savannah’s federal courthouse (Tomochichi)
• Track record in both trial and pre‑indictment negotiations
• Ability to know the prosecutors and the judges—and understand how they think
• Familiarity with mandatory minimum defense strategies
• Comfort dealing with agencies like FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS investigations

Our firm has over 50 years of combined experience. We’re a rock star team—litigators and negotiators who dedicate themselves to every client’s case. And here’s something most lawyers won’t say: Spodek Law Group owes loyalty to only YOU. Not to judges, not to prosecutors, not to politics. Just you, your family, your future. We don’t sugarcoat, we don’t play games, and we don’t disappear after arraignment. You get us—start to finish.

Next Steps: Protecting Your Future in Federal Court

If the FBI has come to your door, if ICE has questioned your job site, if you’ve been served a subpoena or target letter—time is your enemy. Every day without a defense strategy strengthens the government’s case. The moment you bring us in—we begin dismantling their evidence, protecting your rights, and preparing your defense.

Don’t wait for an indictment. Don’t wait until arraignment. In Savannah, where one bullet equals 100 months in prison—you simply cannot afford to step into federal court unprotected. Call our office now—speak directly with us, not staff. Let us fight. Let us put our experience, our reputation, and our loyalty to work for you. I’m not saying it’ll be easy, but I’m saying we’ll be in the trenches with you. Every single hearing. Every filing. Every battle.

Spodek Law Group—federal criminal lawyers with national strength and Savannah focus. We get it.