The San Diego criminal defense firm's federal trial lawyers - all alumni of Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. - bring 80+ years of combined experience and 80+ jury trials to clients facing federal charges across Southern California, including San Diego and Los Angeles.
McKenzie Scott PC, a San Diego-based civil rights and criminal defense firm, carries a significant federal trial record behind its criminal defense practice:
Across more than 80 jury trials, approximately three-quarters of the firm's criminal cases have resulted in acquittals, hung juries, or success on appeal.
That figure runs directly counter to the odds most federal defendants face. Federal prosecutors secure convictions in more than 90% of adjudicated federal cases. Moreover, in fiscal year 2022, they won roughly 83% of the cases that actually reached a verdict at trial - 1,379 defendants found guilty against 290 acquitted, according to Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts data analyzed by the Pew Research Center.
A Team Trained Where Federal Trials Are Actually Tried
The firm's federal criminal defense practice is built entirely from alumni of Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., the Federal Community Defender Organization appointed to represent people accused of federal crimes in the Southern District of California - one of the busiest and most-demanding federal criminal dockets in the United States.
Founding partners Michele Akemi McKenzie and Tim Scott each began their careers as criminal trial attorneys at Federal Defenders, where they spent nearly two decades defending clients charged primarily with drug and immigration offenses. Trial attorneys Marcus Bourassa, Michelle Angeles, and Lauren Mellano also served at Federal Defenders, where they tried federal criminal cases to verdict, argued appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, raised novel constitutional challenges to federal prosecutions, and presented before the California State Assembly's Committee on Public Safety.
That shared background is unique in private practice. Most criminal defense lawyers move directly into private work and try comparatively few federal cases. Federal Defenders lawyers try them constantly, against the same U.S. Attorney's Office, in front of the same district judges, under the same federal rules.
What the Firm's Criminal Defense Team Handles
- Drug trafficking and drug manufacturing
- White-collar offenses - wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion
- Health care fraud, including False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback Statute allegations
- Money laundering and honest services fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Immigration offenses and border arrests
- Illegal firearms possession
- RICO violations, insider trading, theft of trade secrets, and cybercrime
The firm also maintains an active federal appellate practice, with dozens of successful appeals before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Serving Clients Across Southern California
McKenzie Scott's office is located in downtown San Diego, blocks from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, and the firm represents clients throughout California and nationwide - including clients facing charges in the Central District of California in Los Angeles.
Free case evaluations are available at (619) 794-0451 or at https://mckenziescott.com/federal-criminal-defense-attorney/.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the federal conviction rate?
More than 90% of adjudicated federal criminal cases end in a conviction, largely because roughly 90% of federal defendants plead guilty. Among cases that reach a verdict at trial, federal prosecutors convicted about 83% of defendants in fiscal year 2022.
Why does a lawyer's Federal Defenders background matter?
Federal Defenders offices handle high volumes of federal criminal cases and try them to verdict. Attorneys who trained there accumulate federal trial and Ninth Circuit appellate experience that most private practitioners never get, because federal trials are rare.
Can any criminal defense attorney represent me in federal court?
No. Generally, only an attorney admitted to practice in the federal district court where charges are filed may represent a defendant there. Federal procedure, evidence, and sentencing differ substantially from state practice.
What should I do if federal agents contact me?
Decline to answer questions, state clearly that you want to speak with a lawyer, and contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately. Statements made to federal agents before you have counsel can permanently damage a defense.
Does McKenzie Scott handle cases in Los Angeles?
About McKenzie Scott PC
McKenzie Scott PC is a notable San Diego criminal defense law firm representing clients in federal and state criminal matters, police misconduct and civil rights litigation, and personal injury cases. The firm's attorneys bring more than 80 years of combined federal criminal experience and a trial record built at Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. The firm is located at 1350 Columbia Street, Suite 600, San Diego, California 92101.
Learn more at https://mckenziescott.com. For a free and confidential criminal defense attorney case evaluation, click here.
Contains attorney advertising. Results described reflect outcomes in prior matters and depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each case. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. This release is informational and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship.
Media Contact Details
Jason Kitchen
McKenzie Scott San Diego Civil Rights & Criminal Defense Lawyers
6197940451
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