Experienced Federal Crime Attorney in Alexandria, LA
Experienced Federal Crime Attorney in Alexandria, LA
When your freedom and future are on the line because of federal charges, you need an experienced Alexandria, LA, federal crime lawyer you can trust. Federal criminal charges carry weighty penalties and are handled under different procedures than those in state court.
LaCour Law Firm, LLC’s Alexandria criminal defense lawyer understands how federal prosecutions work and defends your rights with real trial experience and strategic insight.
Federal cases typically arise from lengthy investigations by the FBI, DEA, IRS, or other agencies. If you’ve been accused of a federal crime, choosing an attorney who knows how these cases work could be crucial to your defense.
| LICENSED IN LOUISIANA SINCE 2010 | FORMER PUBLIC DEFENDER, LIFE-SENTENCE CASES | ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA OFFICE |
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About La Cour Law Firm
LaCour Law Firm was established in 2010 by Christopher LaCour, who serves as the firm’s lead attorney. We pride ourselves on helping everyday people who need a fierce advocate on their side during difficult legal situations. Chris has tried many cases in Louisiana courtrooms, both on the state and federal levels.
Chris is an Alexandria native, born and raised in the community he now practices in. That hometown perspective informs how he talks with clients about the weight of a federal charge. Additionally, his background as a former public defender gives him insight into defending people accused of serious federal crimes.
Because he was assigned exclusively to cases carrying a potential life sentence during that time, he came into private practice already accustomed to the highest-stakes end of criminal defense, which is exactly where most federal prosecutions live.
We treat each case with individual attention and have experience handling federal cases with a strategic game plan. We work diligently for the people who come to us for help.
Why Federal Crime Laws Are Different
Federal crimes are investigated by federal agencies like the FBI and DEA, handled by federal prosecutors, and governed by federal procedures. If you are accused of federal crimes such as drug trafficking, firearms offenses, white collar crimes, or cybercrime, you may be facing penalties like large fines and prison sentences.
Federal prosecutors have more resources at their disposal to investigate your alleged crime. That means your phone calls may be monitored, your computer reviewed for evidence, and your house searched months before you even hear about the charges.
Federal criminal charges are handled in Federal Court, which means the judges and prosecutors all work within the federal judicial system. This system has strict procedures and sentencing guidelines that can make penalties for federal crimes more severe than the penalties for similar state crimes.
If you are charged in central Louisiana, your case is usually filed in the Western District of Louisiana, which reaches across 42 of the state’s 64 parishes, roughly two-thirds of Louisiana by geography. Your Alexandria federal crime attorney should have practice in federal court and know how to mitigate these punishments.
Federal Crimes We Defend in the Western District of Louisiana
Not every case that starts as a local arrest stays local. Once a federal agency or a federal prosecutor gets involved, the case moves into a different system entirely. Our Alexandria federal criminal defense lawyer defends clients against charges including:
- Federal drug trafficking and conspiracy under the Controlled Substances Act
- Felon in possession of a firearm and other federal gun offenses
- Wire fraud, mail fraud, and other white-collar charges
- Federal immigration offenses
- Child exploitation and internet-based offenses
- Bank robbery, carjacking, and other violent federal crimes
- Conspiracy and RICO-related charges
Each of these charges carries its own sentencing guidelines, and some carry mandatory minimum penalties. Prosecutors in this district pursue them regularly, from traffic-stop drug conspiracies out of Shreveport to firearm cases built on prior state convictions. Knowing which agency built the case and why often shapes the first moves in a defense.
Federal Crimes Most Commonly Prosecuted in Alexandria and the Western District
U.S. federal courts sentenced 61,678 people on federal criminal counts in fiscal year 2024, demonstrating the frequency of federal prosecutions around the country. Approximately 81% of federal cases involve violations linked to drugs, immigration, guns, and fraud/theft. About 89% of those sentenced receive prison-only sentences, while only a small percentage receive probation alone. The majority of federal cases end in prison time.
That pattern holds close to home. In fiscal year 2025, the Western District of Louisiana alone reported 378 federal sentencing cases, and 146 of those, nearly 4 in 10, were sentenced under the federal drug guideline. That is not a statewide or New Orleans number. That is central and west Louisiana, the same district that covers Alexandria, Rapides Parish, and the surrounding parishes our office serves.
Certain types of crimes are more likely to be prosecuted by federal agencies because they involve the federal government in some way. Drug trafficking cases can become federal crimes for several reasons — not just because drugs crossed state lines. Federal agencies like the DEA often get involved because of the amount of drugs involved, whether a gun was part of the case, or simply because federal prosecutors decided to take it.
Federal charges can extend to white-collar offenses like fraud if the case involves mail systems or wire transfers.
What a Federal Conviction Could Cost You
Federal crimes can involve long prison sentences, thousands of dollars in fines, and a criminal record that can follow you for life. In federal cases, the government conducts a months- or years-long investigation.
Once federal prosecutors receive your case, they use extensive resources to construct their case against you. When you get hit with a federal indictment, it’s often because the government believes it has a strong case.
Federal crimes often involve more serious charges than similar state offenses. For example, if you’re accused of a white-collar crime involving hundreds of thousands of dollars, you’re likely looking at a federal case
Federal judges do not set your sentence by feel. They apply the federal sentencing guidelines along with the factors laid out in 18 U.S.C. § 3553, which weigh the seriousness of the offense, your history, and the need to protect the public, among other things.
Many federal drug and firearm charges also carry mandatory minimum sentences set by Congress, meaning the judge has little room to go lower even if the facts of your case are sympathetic.
On top of prison time, most federal sentences include a term of supervised release after custody, and violating those conditions can send you back to prison without a new trial.
How a Federal Case Moves From Investigation to Sentencing
Federal cases follow a different rhythm than state charges, and knowing the stages helps you understand what is coming next.
- Investigation. Agents build the case quietly, often through surveillance, subpoenas, or a cooperating witness, sometimes for months before an arrest.
- Grand jury indictment. Federal felony charges generally require a grand jury to return an indictment before the case moves forward.
- Initial appearance and detention hearing. You appear before a federal magistrate judge, and the court decides under 18 U.S.C. § 3142 whether you are released on conditions or held in custody until trial.
- Discovery and motions. Your attorney reviews the government’s evidence, challenges how it was gathered, and files motions to suppress or dismiss where the facts support it.
- Plea negotiation or trial, then sentencing. Most federal cases resolve through negotiated pleas, but when a case goes to trial, sentencing afterward is governed by the same guideline factors discussed above.
That detention hearing in step three is often the moment that decides whether you spend the months before trial at home with your family or in jail, which is why an attorney needs to be ready to argue it from day one.
The Alexandria Federal Courthouse and the Western District’s Reach
If your case is filed federally out of central Louisiana, it will most likely be heard at the Alexandria federal courthouse at 515 Murray Street, a few blocks from the Rapides Parish courts.
District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. has sat on the federal bench in Alexandria since December 2023. The district’s chief judge, Terry A. Doughty, oversees the court’s five divisions, which run from Shreveport and Monroe down through Alexandria, Lafayette, and Lake Charles.
Knowing which division your case sits in, which judge is assigned, and how that office typically approaches a charge is part of building a defense that fits Alexandria and Rapides Parish specifically, not a generic statewide playbook.
Choosing an Alexandria Federal Criminal Defense Attorney
There are key differences between defending federal crimes and defending crimes in state court. Not every defense attorney has tried a case in Federal Court.
With a lot riding on your future, you need a lawyer who understands federal procedures, defensive strategies, and federal sentencing guidelines. When you hire a federal crime lawyer, look for someone who knows how to challenge the prosecution’s evidence and stand up to a team of prosecutors.
Ask any attorney you’re considering three things: how many cases they have tried to a jury, whether they have argued a federal detention hearing, and whether they know the Alexandria courthouse and the local U.S. Attorney’s office specifically.
A lawyer who only practices in state court in Rapides Parish is not automatically ready to defend a federal indictment, and a lawyer who only handles federal paperwork without real trial experience may fold too quickly at the negotiating table.
Answers to Your Federal Charge Questions
How Much Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost in Louisiana?
How much a criminal defense lawyer costs in Louisiana varies based on the charge. It also depends on whether the case is in state or federal court. Additionally, most misdemeanor cases are significantly cheaper than felonies. Federal cases also tend to be more expensive due to increased complexity. Many attorneys charge flat fees, while others may work on an hourly basis for larger litigation-heavy cases.
What Do Federal Defense Lawyers Do?
Federal criminal defense attorneys represent clients who are charged with violations of laws that are investigated and prosecuted by the federal government. These are crimes that are tried in federal court, involve larger-scale investigations, and carry strict procedural guidelines. Federal defense attorneys spend their time reviewing discovery, filing motions, talking to prosecutors, and preparing your case for trial if necessary.
What Happens at My First Appearance in the Alexandria Federal Courthouse?
At your initial appearance, a magistrate judge tells you the charges, confirms you have a lawyer, and usually sets a detention hearing under 18 U.S.C. § 3142 to decide whether you are released while the case is pending. This happens quickly, often within a day or two of arrest, so having a lawyer who already knows the Alexandria courthouse matters from the very first appearance.
Will I Be Held in Jail Before My Federal Trial?
It depends on the charge and your history, not on posting bail the way state court works. A magistrate judge weighs flight risk and danger to the community, and certain charges, like some drug and violent offenses, come with a legal presumption in favor of detention that your attorney has to argue against.
Is Louisiana Guilty Until Proven Innocent?
Louisiana is not guilty until proven innocent. The United States Constitution guarantees that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. In Louisiana and every other state, the burden is on the government to prove your guilt. Just because you have been arrested or charged with a crime does not mean you are guilty. You have the right to question the evidence and confront your accusers.
What Kind of Lawyer Defends People Accused of Crimes?
Criminal defense lawyers defend people who have been accused of a crime. Criminal defense attorneys uphold our Constitution by protecting the rights of those accused of crimes and holding the government to its burden of proof. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a serious felony charge, criminal defense attorneys will represent you in both state and federal court.
Contact Our Alexandria Federal Crime Lawyer To Discuss Your Case
A federal indictment does not wait for you to get ready, and neither should your defense.
If you have been arrested, questioned, or notified that you are the target of a federal investigation in Alexandria or anywhere in the Western District of Louisiana, the sooner a lawyer is involved, the more options you have. Contact us today to talk through what you are facing.
