Criminal Defense Lawyers

The nearest courthouse might be hundreds of miles away in Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau. Weather delays court proceedings. Witnesses can’t reach trial. Evidence transported by bush plane sits in chain of custody limbo. And the prosecuters? They already have your case built before they contact you. Federal investigations take months or years. By the time FBI or DEA agents introduce themselves, they’ve got wiretaps, cooperating witnesses, financial records—everything they need. Your probably wondering why this is happening to you, what makes your case federal instead of state, and what you should do right now. Those are the right questions, and the answers will determine weather you spend years or decades away from Alaska.

Understanding federal jurisdiction in Alaska isn’t simple. The state has more then 365 million acres, and a huge portion falls under federal control. Alaska is the only state with a single federal judicial district, established back in 1958 when Alaska gained statehood. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska prosecutes federal crimes across this vast territory, and there decision about weather to charge you federally versus leaving your case to state prosecutors changes everything. Federal sentances are longer. Federal conviction rates are higher. Federal court procedures are different then state court. And in Alaska, the complexity multiplies because of unique jurisdictional issues that don’t exist in the Lower 48.

Why Your Case Is Federal (Not State)

Most people don’t realize how much of Alaska operates under federal jurisdiction untill their charged with a crime. If you was arrested on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, thats exclusive federal jurisdiction—state courts can’t touch it irregardless of what you did. Same goes for crimes inside Denali National Park, Glacier Bay, or any of Alaska’s vast national preserves. The federal goverment owns and controls these areas, which means federal law applys and federal prosecutors handle the cases. But it gets more complicated then that.

Alaska has 229 federally recognized tribes, and crimes involving Alaska Native defendants on certain tribal lands fall under the Major Crimes Act. This federal statute, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1153, gives the federal goverment jurisdiction over serious offenses like murder, manslaughter, kidnapping, assault, arson, burglery, and sexual abuse when committed by or against Native Americans on Indian Country. Here’s where Alaska gets wierd: the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) created a unique land status that doesn’t exist nowhere else. Most Alaska Native land isn’t technically “Indian Country” the way reservations are in the Lower 48. Weather a particular piece of land qualifys for federal jurisdiction under the Major Crimes Act depends on complex legal analysis of the land’s status. Some Alaska Native villages are Indian Country. Some aren’t. Some areas the case law is still being argued.

Your case might be federal because of what agencies investigated it. If the FBI, DEA, ATF, or IRS lead the investigation, they typically refer cases for federal prosecution rather then state. Alaska has several multi-agency task forces that operate on federal grant funding: the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program in Anchorage, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces, and anti-violence programs. If your arrested as part of one of these task force operations, your almost certainly facing federal charges irregardless of where the crime occured. The agencies involved have federal jurisdiction, and they’ve already invested federal resources into your case.

Maritime crimes off Alaska’s extensive coastline—drug trafficking on fishing vessels, smuggling operations, even assaults on commercial boats in federal waters—these fall under federal maritime jurisdiction. The Coast Guard patrols Alaska’s waters, and when they make arrests, those cases go federal. Similarly, crimes on airplanes or involving aircraft, even small bush planes flying between remote villages, can trigger federal jurisdiction under aviation laws. Did you transport drugs on a flight from Anchorage to Bethel? Thats potentially federal. Assault on a plane? Federal.

The economic thresholds matter to. Federal prosecutors in Alaska are selective because they have limited resources. With only one active federal judge handling cases, the U.S. Attorney’s Office can’t prosecute everything. For drug cases, you generally won’t see federal charges unless your talking about multi-kilogram quantities or cross-state trafficking. A small amount for personal use? That typically stays in state court. But if your caught with 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, or if investigators believe your part of a distribution network, you can expect federal charges.

For fraud cases, the unwritten threshold is usually around $100,000 to $150,000. Smaller fraud cases get referred to state prosecutors or aren’t prosecuted at all. White collar crimes involving complex schemes, multiple victims, or federal programs (like pandemic relief fraud, Medicare fraud, or Alaska Native corporation fraud) will go federal regardless of the dollar amount if prosecutors believe they can make a strong case.

Gun crimes present there own calculation. Simple possession of a firearm by someone whose not supposed to have one (convicted felon, domestic violence offender, illegal immigrant) might stay in state court if theres no violence involved. But if your a prohibited person caught with a gun during a drug deal, or if investigators believe your involved in gun trafficking or straw purchases, expect federal prosecution. The ATF works closely with Anchorage and Fairbanks police, and they’re looking for cases that will send a message to the community. Between you and I, federal prosecutors pick cases they can win and that advance there enforcement priorities. Your not just dealing with weather your guilty or innocent—your dealing with weather your case fits what the federal government wants to prosecute right now in 2025.

Alaska’s Federal Court Geography Crisis

Here’s something your attorney might not explain upfront: Alaska’s federal court system is in crisis. The District of Alaska has three authorized judgeships to cover the entire state. Right now, in 2025, two of those positions are vacant. That means one federal judge is trying to handle the entire criminal and civil docket for a state covering 663,300 square miles. The implications for defendants are huge. Cases that might normally take 8 to 12 months to get to trial are now taking 18 to 24 months. If your in pretrial detention—and federal detention rates are higher then state—you could be sitting in jail for up to two years before your trial even starts.

The three federal courthouses are located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Anchorage handles about 75% of all federal criminal cases in Alaska. Fairbanks mostly sees cases involving military personnel from nearby bases or crimes in Interior Alaska. Juneau handles white collar crime, environmental offenses, and cases from Southeast Alaska. But here’s what matters: if you live in Nome, Bethel, Kotzebue, or any of the hundreds of remote villages across Alaska, your going to have to travel to one of these three cities for every court appearance. That means flights, hotels, time away from work and family. If your on pretrial release, you might need permission from the court to travel to attend your own hearing because crossing judicial districts requires approval.

The financial burden alone can be overwhelming before your even convicted of anything.

It wasn’t always like this. The federal court use to hold proceedings in Ketchikan and Nome, but those locations were discontinued in 2021 due to budget constraints and low case volumes. Now, if your in Northwest Alaska or Southeast Alaska, your travel burden is even greater. Weather delays are a constant problem. Alaska’s weather doesn’t care about court schedules. I’ve seen cases where trials had to be continued because witnesses couldn’t fly out of remote villages due to fog or storms. Evidence gets delayed. Attorneys miss court dates. The judge might be handling an emergency in a civil case, pushing criminal hearings back weeks.

One advantage Alaska defendants have: appeals from the District of Alaska go to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has a reputation for being the most defendant-friendly circuit in the country. The Ninth Circuit has stronger Fourth Amendment protections against illegal searches, more skepticism about sentencing guidelines, and a tradition of granting sentencing variances based off individual circumstances. If your convicted in Alaska federal court and appeal, your benefit from Ninth Circuit precedents that are more favorable then what defendants face in other parts of the country. That said, appeals are expensive, time-consuming, and succeed in less then 10% of cases. But its better then the Fifth Circuit in Texas or the Eleventh Circuit in Florida, where defendants have much harder time winning appeals.

The jury pools in Alaska’s federal courthouses vary significantly. Anchorage is the most diverse, with jurors from different economic backgrounds, ethnicities, and political perspectives. Fairbanks tends to skew more conservative and has more jurors with military connections because of the nearby bases. Juneau’s jury pool is heavy on government employees and tends to be more educated but also more trusting of federal authority. Where your case is prosecuted can effect your trial strategy and outcomes more then you might think.

What Happens at Each Stage (Your Decisions)

Understanding the federal criminal process isn’t just about knowing what happens next—its about recognizing the decision points where your choices will shape your case outcome. Federal prosecutions don’t work like TV shows. There’s no dramatic courtroom surprise. By the time your charged, prosecutors have spent months building an overwhelming case. According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, federal criminal defendants are convicted in more than 90% of cases. That statistic isn’t because everyone whose charged is guilty—its because federal prosecutors only bring cases they’re confident they can win. Understanding what your actually deciding at each stage is critical.

First Contact with Federal Agents: This is maybe the most important decision point, and most people get it wrong. Federal agents—FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS—are trained interrogators. Their allowed to lie to you (its legal). When they show up saying they “just want to ask a few questions” or they’re “trying to clear something up,” what they actually mean is your under investigation and they’re trying to get you to make statements they can use against you at trial. Anything you say—even statements you think are helpful or innocent—will be used against you.

Federal agents don’t record these interviews in most cases. Instead, they write up what’s called a 302 report afterward, summarizing what they claim you said. You can’t challenge the accuracy of there summary later because there’s no recording.

The right answer when federal agents contact you, weather in person or by phone, is polite but firm: “I want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.” That’s it. Don’t try to explain. Don’t try to deny. Don’t try to help them understand. Your brain is telling you that if you just explain the situation, they’ll see it was a misunderstanding and leave you alone. That never happens. Agents don’t investigate people there convinced are innocent. If there talking to you, its because your already a suspect. Invoke your right to counsel immediatly, and then actually call an attorney who practices in federal court. State criminal defense attorneys, even good ones, often don’t understand federal procedure and the differences matter alot.

Pretrial Detention vs. Release: After your arrested and charged, you’ll have a detention hearing where a magistrate judge decides weather you stay in jail or get released while your case is pending. Federal detention standards are harsher then state court. The judge considers weather your a flight risk and weather you pose a danger to the community. Alaska’s geography works against defendants here. If you live in a remote village with no road access, prosecutors will argue your a flight risk because you could easily disappear into the bush. If you have ties to other countries (Canada is close to parts of Alaska), they’ll argue you might flee internationally. If your charged with a drug trafficking offense or violent crime, the presumption is that you should be detained.

If your detained pretrial, and remember the case backlog means trial might be 18 to 24 months away, your going to be sitting in federal detention that entire time. The main federal detention facility for Alaska is in Anchorage, but it often houses defendants in state facilities under contract. Pretrial detention isn’t just about the time—it affects your ability to assist in your defense. You can’t help your attorney locate witnesses. You can’t review documents as easily. You can’t earn money to pay for your defense. The pressure to accept a plea deal, even if you want to fight the charges, becomes enormous when your looking at two years in detention just to get to trial.

Third-party custodian arrangements can sometimes secure your release. This means a family member or friend agrees to supervise you, ensure you attend court, and notify the court if you violate conditions. But the court has to approve the custodian, and in Alaska’s small communities, finding someone willing and able to take on that responsibility can be challenging. If you are released, the conditions will be strict: no leaving the district without permission, regular check-ins with pretrial services, drug testing, GPS monitoring, no contact with certain people. Violate any condition and your going back to jail.

The Cooperation Decision: At some point during your case, prosecutors will likely approach your attorney about cooperation. This means providing information about other people’s crimes in exchange for a reduced sentance. The federal system heavily incentivizes cooperation through what’s called a 5K1.1 motion (named after the sentencing guideline provision). If you cooperate substantially and prosecutors file this motion, the judge can sentence you below the mandatory minimum or below the guideline range. Cooperation can mean the difference between 10 years and 3 years, or between 20 years and 7 years.

But cooperation isn’t simple, especially in Alaska. The criminal networks in Alaska are small. Everyone knows everyone, particularly in bush communities and among Alaska Native populations. If you cooperate against someone, the entire community will likely know. The safety risks are real. Retaliation doesn’t just mean violence—it can mean social ostracism, being cut off from cultural activities, your family being targeted. The federal government can’t protect you from those consequences. Sure, they can offer witness protection for extreme cases, but that means leaving Alaska, changing your identity, and never returning to your community. Most people aren’t willing to do that.

The other problem: many defendants overestimate the value of there cooperation. You might think you have valuable information about a drug supplier or a criminal organization, but prosecutors already know everything from wiretaps, cooperating witnesses who got arrested before you, and financial records. If your not telling them something new and useful, your cooperation has no value. And here’s the kicker—cooperation agreements are binding. You have to be completely truthful. If prosecutors catch you in a lie or omission, they can tear up the agreement, use everything you told them against you, AND charge you with additional crimes for lying to federal investigators. You can’t back out once you’ve signed a cooperation agreement just because you change your mind or realize the sentance reduction isn’t what you hoped.

Plea Deal vs. Trial: The vast majority of federal cases—more then 95%—end in guilty pleas, not trials. Why? Because the trial penalty is real and substantial. If you plead guilty, you typically receive a 2 to 3 level reduction in your offense level for “acceptance of responsibility.” That translates to months or years off your sentance. If you go to trial and lose—which happens 90%+ of the time—you don’t get that reduction. Your sentance will be significantly higher. Prosecutors also tend to charge more seriously if they know your going to trial. Charges that might have been dropped as part of a plea deal stay in the indictment. Enhancements that prosecutors might have agreed to waive get pursued fully.

The calculation is brutal but necessary. Let’s say the plea offer is 5 years. If you go to trial and lose, you might be looking at 8 to 10 years because you lost the acceptance of responsibility reduction and the prosecutor didn’t recommend a lower sentance. Even if you think you have a good defense, you have to weigh a 90%+ chance of conviction at trial against the certainty of the plea deal. The math often favors pleading guilty even when your not convinced the government can prove there case beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s the reality of federal criminal defense—its often about minimizing damage rather then winning acquittal.

That said, some cases should go to trial. If the government’s evidence is weak, if there’s a viable defense (like illegal search and seizure, entrapment, mistaken identity), if the mandatory minimum on the charge is so high that even with cooperation you’d face decades, then trial might be your best option. The Federal Public Defender’s Office in Alaska is excellent at trial work, and experienced private attorneys like those who’ve been practicing in the District of Alaska for years know how to spot weaknesses in the government’s case. But the decision to go to trial should be based off a realistic assessment of your chances, not emotion or principle. Federal prison time is to high a price to pay for making a point.

Federal Sentencing in Alaska

Federal sentancing is were everything comes together, and its completely different then state sentencing in Alaska. First, understand this: there is no parole in the federal system. None. If your sentanced to 10 years, your going to serve at least 85% of that time—8 and a half years minimum. The federal system abolished parole in 1987. You can earn good time credit (about 15% off your sentance for good behavior), but thats it. State court defendants in Alaska might serve a third of there sentance before parole eligibility. Federal defendants serve nearly all of it. This makes every year of your sentance matter enormously more then in state court.

The federal sentancing process is based off the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, a complex matrix published by the U.S. Sentencing Commission. Your offense level is calculated based on the crime you commited and various enhancements (did you have a gun? was there a vulnerable victim? did you obstruct justice? are you in a leadership role?). Your criminal history category is calculated based on your prior convictions. Where these two numbers intersect on the sentencing table gives you a guideline range in months. For example, an offense level of 20 with a criminal history category of II might give you a range of 41 to 51 months.

Here’s the critical thing: since the Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker, the sentencing guidelines are advisory, not mandatory. Judges can vary from the guidelines based on the factors in 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a), which include the nature and circumstances of the offense, your history and characteristics, the need for the sentance to reflect the seriousness of the offense, and the need to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparitys. Alaska federal judges, particularly within the Ninth Circuit tradition, are more willing to grant variances then judges in some other circuits. This creates opportunity for defendants with strong mitigation cases.

Cultural mitigation is particularly effective in Alaska federal sentencing. If your an Alaska Native defendant, evidence about your cultural background, the historical trauma experienced by Alaska Native communities, substance abuse issues connected to cultural disruption, and your ties to traditional practices can all factor into sentencing. Judges in Alaska are generally receptive to these arguments in ways that judges in the Lower 48 might not be. Letters from tribal elders, evidence of participation in cultural activities, plans to engage in traditional healing practices or tribal court programs—these matter. But you need an attorney whose familiar with presenting cultural mitigation effectively, not just mentioning it in passing.

Mental health and substance abuse issues also provide grounds for sentencing variances. If your offense was driven by untreated mental illness or addiction, and you can present a credible treatment plan, judges have discretion to sentence below the guidelines to give you a chance at rehabilitation. Alaska’s limited mental health and addiction treatment resources, particularly in rural areas, actually becomes part of the argument—you couldn’t access treatment before, but now with court supervision you’ll be required to engage with it. This argument works better if your not facing a mandatory minimum, which limits judicial discretion.

Speaking of mandatory minimums: certain federal offenses carry mandatory minimum sentences that judges can’t go below unless prosecutors file a 5K1.1 motion for substantial assistance or unless your eligible for the safety valve (a provision that lets first-time, non-violent drug offenders avoid the mandatory minimum if they meet certain criteria and provide all information about the offense to the government). Drug trafficking offenses, gun crimes, and child pornography offenses often carry mandatory minimums of 5, 10, or 20 years. If your facing a mandatory minimum, cooperation becomes much more valuable because its one of the few ways to get below it.

The First Step Act, passed in 2018, created new opportunities for sentance reductions. Some defendants sentanced under old, harsher drug laws have been able to get there sentances reduced retroactively. Compassionate release provisions allow sentance reductions for extraordinary and compelling circumstances—serious illness, family emergencies, unusually harsh prison conditions. Alaska federal defendants have successfully used these provisions, though there still relatively rare. Your attorney should be aware of all post-conviction relief options, not just focused on the initial sentancing.

Here’s the reality: federal sentancing in Alaska generally results in significant prison time for serious offenses. Drug trafficking cases averages several years even with cooperation. Fraud cases involving substantial amounts result in multi-year sentances. Gun crimes, particularly for prohibited persons, result in mandatory minimums. Child exploitation cases result in some of the longest sentances in the federal system—decades, not years. The sentances are harsher then what you’d face in Alaska state court for similar conduct, and you’ll serve more of the sentance.

But within that harsh framework, there’s room for advocacy, for mitigation, for presenting your story in a way that resonates with the judge. The difference between the top and bottom of a guideline range might be years. A variance below the guidelines might be the difference between a decade and half that. Those aren’t small stakes, and they’re worth fighting for.

Alaska-Specific Federal Defenses and Challenges

Defending federal cases in Alaska requires understanding challenges that simply don’t exist in other states. Start with jurisdiction, which in Alaska is always complicated. Did the crime actually occur on federal land? The boundaries between state, federal, Alaska Native corporation lands, and municipal lands aren’t always clear, especially in remote areas. If your case involves a crime that occurred at a location with disputed jurisdictional status, that’s a viable defense. Federal jurisdiction is an element the government has to prove. If they can’t establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime occured within the geographic boundaries of federal jurisdiction, the case should be dismissed.

ANCSA land status creates unique opportunities for jurisdictional challenges. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act extinguished most Alaska Native reservations and created corporations instead. This means most Alaska Native land isn’t “Indian Country” for purposes of federal jurisdiction under the Major Crimes Act. The government has to prove that the specific location was Indian Country—meaning dependent Indian communities or allotments held in trust. In many Alaska cases, particularly outside a few recognized reservations, this is difficult to prove. Defense attorneys whose familiar with Alaska Native land law can challenge federal jurisdiction in cases involving Alaska Native defendants where the location doesn’t clearly meet the legal definition of Indian Country.

Evidence preservation and chain of custody is another area where Alaska’s geography creates defense opportunities. Crime scenes in remote locations might not be processed immediately. Weather delays law enforcement access. Evidence transported from bush villages to Anchorage passes through multiple hands—village police, state troopers, commercial airlines, labs. Each transfer point is an opportunity for contamination, mishandling, or misidentification. If evidence was collected from a location accessible only by boat or plane, if it sat in a village public safety office for days before being transported, if it went through commercial carriers, your attorney should be scrutinizing the chain of custody documentation for gaps.

Witness issues work both ways in Alaska. Prosecutors struggle to get remote witnesses to trial, but defendants also face challenges locating and presenting defense witnesses. However, the burden of proof is on the government. If there key witnesses can’t or won’t come to Anchorage for trial, and if the case relies heavily on that testimony, prosecutors have a problem. Alaska Native witnesses may be reluctant to testify, particularly if the defendant is a community member. Cultural norms about not cooperating with outside authorities can work in the defendant’s favor. Defense attorneys need to understand these dynamics and how to emphasize them in plea negotiations or trial strategy.

Fourth Amendment challenges—illegal searches and seizures—are particularly viable in Alaska because of Ninth Circuit precedent. The Ninth Circuit has stronger protections against warrantless searches, vehicle searches, and searches incident to arrest than other circuits. Alaska also has strong state constitutional protections that sometimes exceed federal protections, and while your in federal court, your attorney can argue that the search violated clearly established law that federal agents should have known about. If evidence was obtained through an illegal search, it should be suppressed, and if the suppressed evidence is central to the government’s case, the case collapses. Invest time in a thorough Fourth Amendment analysis—its one of the few defenses that can result in dismissal of an otherwise strong federal case.

Entrapment might be viable in Alaska cases involving confidential informants in small communities. If someone you’ve known for years, whose facing there own federal charges, suddenly starts pushing you to commit crimes you wouldn’t otherwise commit, that could be entrapment. The government has to prove you were predisposed to commit the crime. In close-knit Alaska communities where everyone knows everyone, the dynamics of informant relationships are different than in urban areas of the Lower 48. Your attorney needs to investigate the informant’s background, there relationship with you, what they were promised by the government, and how aggressively they pushed the criminal activity.

Cultural defenses and mitigation play a bigger role in Alaska then anywhere else. Subsistence hunting and fishing are protected traditional practices for Alaska Natives under federal law, but conflicts arise when those practices intersect with federal wildlife regulations. If your charged with a federal wildlife offense, your attorney should be exploring whether your conduct was actually protected subsistence activity. Even if the conduct was technically illegal, cultural context can be powerful mitigation. Judges in Alaska understand that traditional practices, community norms, and historical trauma context that they wouldn’t encounter in federal cases in New York or Texas. Don’t leave this on the table—it can make a real difference in sentencing even if it doesn’t result in acquittal.

The small legal community in Alaska is both a challenge and an opportunity. The same federal prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys appear in case after case. Reputation matters. If your attorney is known for being reasonable, prepared, and honest, prosecutors are more likely to negotiate in good faith. If your attorney is known for filing frivolous motions and wasting the court’s time, your at a disadvantage before you even start. Choose an attorney whose been practicing in the District of Alaska long enough to have established professional relationships, not someone whose just passing through or primarily practices in state court.

2025 Federal Enforcement Priorities in Alaska

Understanding what federal prosecutors are prioritizing right now in 2025 helps you understand why your case is being prosecuted the way it is. The Department of Justice sets national priorities, but how those get implemented in Alaska depends on local U.S. Attorney office decisions and the resources available. With the ongoing court vacancy crisis and limited prosecutor staffing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska is selective about what cases they pursue federally versus referring to state prosecutors.

Pandemic relief fraud is one of the biggest federal prosecution priorities in Alaska right now. Between 2020 and 2022, billions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) were distributed, and Alaska received disproportionate amounts per capita compared to other states. Now, in 2025, federal investigators have had time to analyze the data, identify suspicious applications, and build cases. If you received PPP or EIDL funds and there’s any question about eligibility or how you used the money, you should expect potential federal investigation. The DOJ is prioritizing cases involving more than $150,000 in fraudulent proceeds or cases involving sophisticated schemes. Smaller fraud cases might not be pursued due to resource limitations, but if your case crosses that threshold or involves aggravating factors (like stealing from programs meant for Alaska Native communities), expect serious federal attention.

Violent crime on tribal lands is getting unprecedented federal attention under Operation Lady Justice and related initiatives focused on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Federal prosecutors are bringing Major Crimes Act cases that previously might have been handled by tribal courts or state prosecutors. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and murder cases involving Alaska Native victims or defendants on tribal lands are being prosecuted federally more often than they were 5 years ago. This is a policy decision driven by national priorities, but it means Alaska Natives are facing federal charges at higher rates. The sentences are harsher, the proceedings are in federal court far from home, and the cultural disconnect between federal prosecutors and Alaska Native communities creates tensions throughout the process.

Drug trafficking remains a constant priority, but the focus has shifted. Methamphetamine and fentanyl are the drugs that get federal attention now. Prosecutors are less interested in marijuana cases (though marijuana is still illegal federally). They’re looking for multi-kilogram methamphetamine distributions, fentanyl trafficking into rural Alaska communities, and drug conspiracys that cross state lines. If your drug case involves less than 50 grams of meth and your not connected to a larger distribution network, it’ll probably stay in state court. But if your connected to suppliers in the Lower 48, if you’ve been distributing to multiple people, or if the case involves fentanyl (which carries harsher sentances because of overdose deaths), federal prosecution is likely.

Child exploitation cases—child pornography, enticement of minors, sex trafficking—are always top federal priorities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes virtually every child pornography case they become aware of. These cases carry mandatory minimums, harsh sentencing enhancements, and life-long registration requirements. If your under investigation or charged with a child exploitation offense, understand that prosecutors will not offer lenient plea deals. These are cases they take to trial if they have to, and judges impose harsh sentences even below the guidelines. The Internet Crimes Against Children task force is active in Alaska and works with local law enforcement to identify and prosecute these cases.

Environmental and wildlife crimes remain significant in Alaska because of the state’s unique geography. Federal agencies like NOAA, Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Park Service investigate violations of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (commercial fishing regulations), marine mammal protections, and illegal hunting in federal preserves. If your a commercial fisherman and you’ve violated reporting requirements, harvest restrictions, or catch limits, you could face federal prosecution if the violations are serious or repeated. The economic impact on Alaska’s fishing industry means these cases get attention. Similarly, illegal hunting of protected species in national parks brings federal charges. These cases are sometimes prosecuted as environmental crimes with corporate defendant targets, but individuals can also face criminal charges, not just civil penalties.

Gun crimes are prosecuted selectively. The ATF works with local law enforcement in Anchorage and Fairbanks on task forces targeting gun trafficking and prohibited persons in possession. If your a felon caught with a gun during a traffic stop, that might stay in state court. But if your supplying guns to other prohibited persons, if your involved in straw purchases, or if the gun was used in connection with drug trafficking or violence, federal charges are likely. Project Safe Neighborhoods funding drives these prosecutions, and the mandatory minimums make gun charges serious—being a felon in possession carries up to 10 years, and enhancements can push sentances much higher.

What You Should Do Right Now

If your reading this because your facing federal charges or under federal investigation in Alaska, you need to act now, not later. Time matters in federal cases more than state cases because the consequences are higher and the system moves differently. Here’s what you should do immediatly, before you make decisions that can’t be undone.

First and most important: invoke your right to silence and get an attorney who practices in federal court. Not a general criminal defense attorney whose handled DUIs and state assaults. Not your family lawyer whose done mostly civil work. You need someone whose practices regularly in the District of Alaska, whose familiar with federal procedure, whose appeared before Alaska’s federal judges, and whose negotiated with the current U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutors. Federal court is a specialized practice. The rules are different (Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, not Alaska state rules). The sentancing is different (guidelines instead of Alaska’s presumptive ranges). The prosecutors are different (career DOJ attorneys with unlimited resources). Don’t make the mistake of hiring someone whose going to learn federal practice on your case.

If federal agents contact you—FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, any federal agency—say exactly this: “I want to speak with an attorney before answering any questions.” Then stop talking. Be polite but firm. Don’t explain why you want an attorney. Don’t say anything about the case. Don’t try to talk your way out of the situation. You won’t succeed, and everything you say gives them more evidence. Even if you think your innocent and you just need to explain the misunderstanding, don’t. Federal agents are skilled interrogators who’ve been trained to elicit incriminating statements. They’re allowed to lie to you, to minimize the seriousness of the situation, to suggest that cooperation will help you when it won’t. Don’t fall for it. Invoke your rights and call an attorney immediately.

Document everything related to your case. If you’ve been charged, get copies of all the documents—the complaint, the indictment, the discovery materials. If your under investigation but not yet charged, document when agents contacted you, what they said, any locations or dates they asked about. If your case involves financial records, gather everything you can: bank statements, tax returns, business records. If it involves drug allegations, write down everywhere you’ve been, who you’ve been with, what your activities were. Your memory will fade, witnesses will disappear, and evidence will become harder to reconstruct as time passes. Your attorney will need this information to build your defense, and the earlier you start documenting, the better positioned you’ll be.

Understand that federal charges are not like state charges. The conviction rate is over 90%. The sentences are longer and you’ll serve more of the time. There’s no parole. The prosecutors have more resources then you do. The system is designed to encourage guilty pleas, not trials. This doesn’t mean you should give up or that you don’t have options—it means you need to be realistic about what your facing and make strategic decisions rather then emotional ones. A good outcome in federal court often looks like minimizing your sentence through cooperation, presenting strong mitigation at sentancing, or negotiating the charges down through plea bargaining. Outright dismissals and acquittals happen, but there rare. Calibrate your expectations accordingly.

If your an Alaska Native facing charges involving tribal land or cultural practices, make sure your attorney understands the complexities. Federal jurisdiction over Alaska Native lands isn’t automatic—it depends on land status under ANCSA and case law about what constitutes Indian Country in Alaska. Don’t assume your attorney knows this. Ask specifically about there experience with Major Crimes Act cases and jurisdictional challenges. Ask about presenting cultural mitigation evidence at sentencing. Ask about tribal court alternatives or traditional sentencing programs. These are defenses and mitigation strategies unique to Alaska, and they require specific knowledge.

Evaluate your attorney based on there federal court experience, not just there general criminal defense experience. Ask questions like: How many federal cases have you handled in the District of Alaska? What’s your experience with the current federal judges? Do you know the Assistant U.S. Attorneys whose likely to be assigned to my case? Have you tried federal cases to verdict, or do you primarily negotiate pleas? What’s your experience with federal sentancing guideline calculations? Have you filed sentance reduction motions under the First Step Act? What’s your success rate in getting clients below the guideline range? These questions will tell you weather your attorney actually practices in federal court or is trying to figure it out as they go.

Finally, prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a long process. Federal cases take longer than state cases, and with Alaska’s current court backlog, your looking at 18 months to 2 years minimum from indictment to resolution. If your detained pretrial, that’s time in custody. If your released, that’s time living under restrictive conditions, unable to move forward with your life. The stress affects your family, your job, your mental health. Consider finding a therapist or counselor whose familiar with the criminal justice system. Consider how you’ll support yourself financially during this period. Think about who in your life you can rely on for support.

Federal cases don’t resolve quickly, and being prepared for the long haul will help you make better decisions along the way. Federal charges in Alaska are serious. The vast geography, the jurisdictional complexities, the limited court resources, the harsh sentancing—everything about the system is designed to be overwhelming. But understanding what your facing, knowing the decision points ahead, and having an experienced attorney whose familiar with Alaska’s federal court gives you a fighting chance. You can’t control what the government does, but you can control how you respond. Make informed decisions. Don’t talk to agents without a lawyer. Don’t plead guilty without understanding all your options. Don’t go to trial without realistic assessment of your chances. And don’t lose hope—even in a system with a 90% conviction rate, that means 10% of cases result in dismissals, acquittals, or outcomes better than what the government wanted. Your case might be one of them, but only if you approach it strategically rather then emotionally. The decisions you make in the next days and weeks will shape years of your life. Make them carefully, with expert guidance, and with full understanding of what your actually facing in Alaska’s federal court system.