A Montana Federal Criminal Defense Attorney With Decades of Experience

A Montana federal criminal defense attorney is a lawyer who focuses on defending individuals and corporations charged with federal crimes in the state of Montana. My primary role is to provide legal representation and guidance to my clients throughout the entire federal criminal justice process.

Mark J OBrien with Montana state outline

My law firm consists of six lawyers, four legal assistants, two private investigators, and one sentencing mitigation specialist. I will be the lead attorney on your case. This means I will conference with you, analyze your discovery, explain the law relevant to your case, attend all court appearances, handle all motion hearings, a trial (if there is one), and a sentencing hearing (if there is one).

Please allow me to explain how my legal representation of you will proceed chronologically, at least at the outset, so that you know what to expect from this point forward. Please note, depending on the stage you retain me, that not every one of these events will occur.

However, this is a general outline of what to expect from start to finish in a typical case.

Case Evaluation: I will thoroughly review the details of your case, including evidence, witness statements, and legal statutes, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the government’s case against you.
Legal Advice: I will provide legal advice, explaining the charges, potential consequences, and available defense strategies. I will help you understand your rights and options.
Investigation: I will conduct an independent investigation to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and identify any potential defenses or mitigating factors that can be used to challenge the government’s case.
Plea Negotiation: If authorized, I will negotiate with the government to secure a favorable plea deal. This may involve reducing charges, minimizing penalties, or seeking alternative sentencing options.
Trial Preparation: If the case goes to trial, I will prepare a robust defense strategy, including selecting and preparing witnesses, cross-examining prosecution witnesses, and presenting evidence to support and explain your innocence and raise reasonable doubt.
Court Representation: I will represent you in all court proceedings, including arraignments, bail hearings, pre-trial motions, and trial. I will present arguments, challenge evidence, and advance your rights and interests.
Sentencing Advocacy: If you plead guilty or are convicted after trial, I will advocate for a fair and just sentence during the sentencing phase. I will present mitigating factors, you’re your background, character, or extenuating circumstances, and seek a lenient sentence.
Appeals: If necessary, I will handle the federal criminal appeals process, challenging legal errors or constitutional violations that may have occurred during the case, trial and/or sentencing.

I defend all federal criminal court areas of practice, including but not limited to the following federal crimes:

Federal White Collar Criminal Defense

Tax Fraud
Mail Fraud
Wire Fraud
Bank Fraud
Mortgage Fraud
Securities Fraud
Medicare Fraud
Health Care Fraud
Bribery
IRS Issues
Identity Theft
Embezzlement
Insider Trading
Ponzi Schemes
Money Laundering
Sarbanes Oxley Offenses
Conspiracy to Commit Federal White Collar Offenses
All Other Federal White Collar Crimes

Federal Sex Crimes Defense

Child Pornography Possession Offenses
Child Pornography Receipt Offenses
Child Pornography Distribution Offenses
Child Pornography Production Offenses
Child Sex Trafficking Offenses
Adult Sex Trafficking Offenses
Conspiracy to Commit Child Pornography Offenses
Conspiracy to Commit Federal Sex Offenses
All Other Federal Sex Crime Offenses

General Federal Criminal Defense

Gun Offenses
Drug Offenses and Trafficking
Crimes of Violence
Conspiracy to Commit a Federal Crime
All Other Federal Crimes

Federal Grand Jury Investigations

Target, Subject, and Witness Letters
Target of a Federal Grand Jury Investigation
Subject of a Federal Grand Jury Investigation
Witness of a Federal Grand Jury Investigation
SEC, FBI, HSI, DEA, ATF, CIA, and NSI Investigations
All other Federal Investigations

Federal Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Cases

Direct Appeals
Reply Briefs
Oral Argument
2255 Motions and Hearings
2254 Motions and Hearings
Newly Discovered Evidence Motions and Hearings

I am a member of the State of Montana bar, the State of Florida bar, and the bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I represent federal defendants in the State of Montana before the following federal courts:

And before the following Montana federal judges:

Chief District Court Judge Judge Brian Morris
District Court Judge Dana L. Christensen
District Court Judge Susan P. Watters
District Court Judge Donald Molloy, Senior Status
District Court Judge Sam E. Haddon, Senior Status
Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston
Magistrate Judge Timothy J. Cavana
Magisrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto

In addition, I a member of the Supreme Court of the United States, the Supreme Court of the State of Montana, the Supreme Court of the State of Florida, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, and I am also a member of or a pro hac vice member of the following federal courts:

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
United States District Court for Arizona
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas
United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas
United States District Court for the Central District of California
United States District Court for Connecticut
United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida
United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
United States District Court for Massachusetts
United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan
United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
United States District Court for Montana
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for North Dakota
United States District Court for Rhode Island
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Overall, as your Montana federal criminal defense attorney, I will diligently work to protect your rights, build a strong defense, and achieve the best possible outcome in your federal criminal case.

Please call or text me at 406-344-7733 to speak with a Montana criminal defense attorney regarding your case.