My husband was convicted of a federal drug charge in AR. Does it matter where I retain a federal criminal defense attorney?

I am an attorney that handles criminal defense matters in the federal courts. I have been retained by clients in other states and it is not uncommon for that to happen. If you did hire a lawyer from another state you should be doing it because you feel some sense of connection with that attorney in that he/she will handle your case in your best interest.

Also, you should not post any details, nor have detailed conversations about your husbands case on the internet, or over the phone (from your home or usual cell phone) if there is any chance that the fed's are still collecting information.

Please feel free to call me and we can discuss your options.
Joseph Chancellor (413) 210-6701
www.chancellorlaw.com

Since he's already been convicted, I am assuming you need an appellate attorney. Many trial attorneys don't do appeals.

Each Federal district has specific rules for admission. Some just require admission to practice law someplace in the US, while others have more specific requirements. The appellate attorney will need to be admitted to practice in the Federal district where the conviction occurred, as would a trial attorney.

I think this may have been what one of the other lawyers was trying to say, but my take is that you should decide first and foremost based on how comfortable you are with the attorney, rather than what state he or she is in. If you think the lawyer could do a good job, that attorney should be able to let you know if he or she can take the case based on where that lawyer is licensed or willing to practice.

Good luck to you. That's an incredibly tough situation.