---
title: What Does a Federal Trial Attorney Do?
slug: federal-trial-attorney-role
article_type: Help Article
keywords: federal crime, trial attorney, court procedures
url: https://www.angeloreyeslaw.com/federal-trial-attorney-role
published_date: 2025-10-27T00:00:00
---

A federal trial attorney defends clients in federal court, facing aggressive government prosecution. Duties include: investigating violations of federal law, handling discovery, preparing legal motions, cross-examining witnesses, and negotiating pleas. Trials follow strict federal procedures and sentencing guidelines, often with higher stakes than state cases.