A federal criminal defense lawyer works in the best interest of their client through all steps of the case. This typically starts with an interview: Lawyers speak to clients about the case itself, the events leading up to and their subsequent arrest and charges. They then investigate the case for potential defensive avenues, analyze available evidence, assist in jury selection, and participate in the trial itself by calling witnesses, cross-examining witnesses,es and making arguments to demonstrate that the prosecution has failed to meet the federal standard for burden of proof needed to convict. If clients are sentenced for the crime or accept a plea bargain, federal criminal defense lawyers can help negotiate the sentence itself to have time served reduced or find options other than incarceration.