San Jose Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers
Top-Rated Defense Attorneys Serving Northern District of California
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(212) 300-5196Lead Attorney Todd Spodek
Federal Defense Expert • National Media Legal Analyst • San Jose Criminal Defense Leader
Todd Spodek, Esq.
Managing Partner & Lead Federal Defense Attorney
Federal Court Expertise
Deep understanding of federal prosecution strategies through decades of defense experience
Strong Track Record
Proven track record in federal criminal defense cases nationwide
50+ Years Combined Experience
Leading a team of seasoned federal defense experts
Featured In National Media
High-Profile Federal Cases
- Ghislaine Maxwell Juror Case: Legal analyst for national media coverage
- Anna Delvey Federal Fraud: Defense strategy expert commentary
- NBA Healthcare Fraud: Federal conspiracy defense analysis
- American Greed Feature: Expert on white collar defense
Todd Spodek in the Media
Federal Conspiracy Defense Strategies
Expert analysis on defending federal conspiracy charges and prosecution tactics
White Collar Crime Defense Expert
Featured expert on CNBC's American Greed discussing federal fraud defense
Federal Case Dismissal Strategy
Breaking down successful defense strategies in complex federal cases
What the Media Says
"Todd Spodek's analysis of federal conspiracy law provides invaluable insight into how these complex cases are defended at the highest level."
— Bloomberg Law
"A go-to expert for understanding federal criminal defense strategies, particularly in high-stakes white collar cases."
— CNN Legal Analysis
Federal Charges We Defend in San Jose
Federal Criminal Defense in San Jose: Where Technology Meets Federal Law
The Northern District of California: Silicon Valley Under Federal Scrutiny
The Robert F. Peckham Federal Building in San Jose oversees federal prosecutions in the heart of Silicon Valley, where technological innovation intersects with federal criminal law in ways seen nowhere else in America. The Northern District of California handles more technology-related federal crimes than any other jurisdiction, from sophisticated cybercrime involving artificial intelligence to elaborate trade secret theft cases that affect global technology markets. Federal prosecutors here must understand not just criminal law but also emerging technologies, intellectual property principles, and the complex business models that drive Silicon Valley innovation.
San Jose's federal prosecutors work closely with technology companies, cybersecurity firms, and research institutions to address crimes that exploit cutting-edge technology for illegal purposes. The FBI's San Francisco Field Office operates specialized units focused on cybercrime, intellectual property theft, and emerging threats involving artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These investigations often require cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies, as technology crimes frequently span multiple countries and involve complex technical evidence that challenges traditional investigative methods.
The rapid pace of technological change in Silicon Valley creates unique prosecution challenges involving crimes that didn't exist even a few years ago. Federal prosecutors pursue cases involving deepfake technology, AI-powered fraud schemes, and elaborate cryptocurrency scams that exploit the public's limited understanding of emerging technologies. Defense attorneys must navigate cases where the underlying technology may be so new that legal precedents don't exist, requiring creative legal arguments and expert testimony from technology specialists.
Intellectual Property Theft: The Crown Jewels of Silicon Valley
Trade secret theft represents one of the most significant federal prosecution priorities in San Jose, where billions of dollars in intellectual property change hands annually. Federal prosecutors pursue cases involving employees who steal proprietary technology when changing jobs, elaborate corporate espionage schemes involving foreign governments, and complex conspiracy cases where multiple defendants work together to steal and sell trade secrets. The Economic Espionage Act provides federal prosecutors with powerful tools to pursue these cases, but proving theft of intangible assets requires sophisticated expert testimony and complex technical evidence.
The global nature of technology development creates unique challenges in intellectual property theft cases, where evidence may be stored on servers in multiple countries and defendants may have connections to foreign companies or governments. Federal prosecutors coordinate with international partners to pursue cases involving state-sponsored intellectual property theft, particularly involving technology with national security implications. These cases often involve classified evidence, requiring defense attorneys with security clearances and expertise in national security law.
Recent years have seen San Jose federal prosecutors develop innovative approaches to intellectual property cases involving artificial intelligence, machine learning algorithms, and other emerging technologies where traditional concepts of trade secrets may not apply. Cases involve theft of training data for AI systems, unauthorized use of proprietary algorithms, and elaborate schemes involving the reverse engineering of complex software systems. These prosecutions require expert witnesses who can explain cutting-edge technology concepts to juries while avoiding disclosure of additional trade secrets during the trial process.
Cybercrime and Digital Fraud: The Dark Side of Innovation
San Jose federal prosecutors lead the nation in pursuing sophisticated cybercrime cases that exploit the same technologies driving Silicon Valley's economic success. Cases involve elaborate ransomware schemes targeting major corporations, sophisticated identity theft operations using artificial intelligence, and complex fraud schemes involving cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The technical sophistication of these crimes requires federal prosecutors to work with cybersecurity experts, computer forensics specialists, and technology companies to build cases that can withstand challenges from well-funded defendants with access to top-tier technical expertise.
The intersection of artificial intelligence and criminal activity creates new categories of federal prosecutions that San Jose prosecutors are pioneering. Cases involve AI-powered fraud schemes that can generate thousands of fake identities, sophisticated deepfake technology used for extortion and fraud, and elaborate schemes involving the manipulation of algorithmic trading systems. These prosecutions require understanding of machine learning, data science, and the technical methods used to detect and prevent AI-powered criminal activity.
Cryptocurrency and blockchain technology have created entirely new categories of federal crimes that San Jose prosecutors pursue more aggressively than any other district. Cases involve elaborate cryptocurrency exchange fraud, complex money laundering schemes using privacy coins, and sophisticated smart contract fraud involving decentralized finance protocols. The pseudonymous nature of cryptocurrency transactions creates unique investigative challenges, requiring cooperation with blockchain analysis firms and cryptocurrency exchanges to trace illegal transactions across multiple platforms and jurisdictions.
Securities Fraud: When Startup Dreams Become Federal Crimes
Silicon Valley's startup ecosystem creates unique opportunities for securities fraud that San Jose federal prosecutors aggressively pursue. Cases involve fraudulent initial public offerings, elaborate schemes involving inflated user metrics and financial projections, and complex fraud involving special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) that promise to identify and acquire promising startups. The high valuations and complex business models common in technology companies create opportunities for sophisticated fraud that requires expert testimony from technology analysts, venture capital specialists, and financial experts familiar with startup valuation methods.
The presence of major venture capital firms and technology investment banks in Silicon Valley creates additional opportunities for securities fraud involving insider trading, market manipulation, and complex schemes involving private company valuations. Federal prosecutors pursue cases involving venture capitalists who trade on inside information, elaborate pump-and-dump schemes involving technology stocks, and complex fraud involving the manipulation of private company valuations to attract investors. These cases require understanding of venture capital practices, technology company governance, and the regulatory framework governing private securities transactions.
Recent developments in cryptocurrency and digital assets have created new categories of securities fraud that San Jose federal prosecutors are leading the nation in addressing. Cases involve fraudulent initial coin offerings, elaborate schemes involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and complex fraud involving decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) that promise investors returns from cryptocurrency trading and other digital asset activities. These prosecutions require understanding of cryptocurrency markets, blockchain technology, and the evolving regulatory landscape governing digital securities.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines & Mandatory Minimums
The federal sentencing system in San Jose operates under strict guidelines that leave judges with limited discretion. Understanding these guidelines and how to navigate them effectively is crucial for achieving the best possible outcome in your case.
Federal sentences are calculated using a complex point system based on offense level and criminal history. Factors include:
- • Base offense level
- • Specific offense characteristics
- • Victim-related adjustments
- • Role in the offense
- • Obstruction of justice
- • Acceptance of responsibility
Certain federal crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences that judges cannot reduce:
- • Drug trafficking: 5-40 years
- • Firearms offenses: 5-25 years
- • Child pornography: 5-20 years
- • Identity theft: 2 years consecutive
- • Some fraud offenses: 2-10 years
Experienced attorneys can pursue various strategies to minimize sentences:
- • Safety valve provisions
- • Substantial assistance motions
- • Downward departures
- • Alternative sentencing programs
- • Pre-trial diversion
- • Plea negotiations
Federal Courts in San Jose
U.S. District Court
Northern District of California
280 South 1st Street
San Jose, CA 95113
Service Area
We defend federal cases throughout California, including:
• San Jose Metropolitan Area
• All Federal Courts in California
• Population Served: 1.0 million+
Why Choose Our San Jose Federal Defense Team
Federal Expertise
Our attorneys have decades of federal court experience and know the system inside out
24/7 Availability
Federal charges don't wait - neither do we. Available around the clock
50+ Years Experience
Combined decades of federal criminal defense experience in San Jose
Exceptional Results
Proven track record of dismissals, acquittals, and reduced charges