Ali is licensed to practice in all Texas state courts and in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Northern, Eastern and Western Districts of Texas, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court, handling cases at every stage, from the investigation through trial, sentencing and appeal. Ali can provide representation in any type of federal or state criminal case, including:
- Assault and Assault Family Violence
- Capital Murder
- Child Pornography
- Computer and Internet Crimes
- Conspiracy
- Criminal Copyright Infringement
- Drug Possession and Distribution
- DWI
- Firearms Violations
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- Forfeiture
- Fraud
- Wire and mail fraud
- Medicaid Fraud
- Medicare Fraud
- Murder
- Identity Theft
- Immigration Offenses
- Money Laundering
- Perjury and False Statements
- The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO)
- Robbery
- Sexual Assault Cases
- Sex Trafficking
- Tax Crimes
- Terrorism
- Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Writ of Certiorari
Pre-Indictment or Investigation Stage
Often times citizens or corporate entities under investigation receive a grand jury subpoena demanding they produce documents or demanding citizens to appear before a grand jury and give sworn testimony. During this the investigation or pre-indictment phase of a criminal case, an attorney can help their client navigate a potential legal minefield by contacting the investigating agency to work through the logistics and details of complying with an investigation while protecting their clients’ constitutional rights and interests, the goal being to successfully present evidence that may dissuade the government or state from seeking charges. An attorney can assist in obtaining additional time to produce demanded documents or contest the legality of the grand jury subpoena. Generally, in this stage an attorney undertakes an investigation of the facts, interviews witnesses and makes preparations to present an argument to the grand jury or the authorities who are investigating or seeking to charge a company, its employees or board of directors or individual citizens. The primary purpose of pre-indictment activities undertaken by counsel is to avoid criminal charges or perhaps seek a civil resolution to an investigation. Even when it is impossible to stave off indictment entirely, effective pre-indictment representation can limit the scope of the indictment. Finally, any work undertaken by counsel at this stage may be critical in negotiating a favorable plea or defending a case at trial.
Post-Indictment or Pre-Trial
At this stage, an indictment has been returned. An indictment is simply a piece of paper which outlines the allegations against the citizen or corporate entity; it is not proof beyond all reasonable doubt of criminal activity. At this point, counsel is needed to make appearances in court, litigate matters involving obtaining bond, what those bond conditions ought to be, obtaining and reviewing the evidence the government or state has obtained against the citizen and investigating the law and facts regarding the allegations. Such investigation is critical and requires vigilance and patience to ensure all facts and witnesses essential to the defense of the citizen are sought and thoroughly examined. Dependent on the nature of the case working with experts can be crucial, both in preparing for trial and testifying at trial. It is during this phase that interviewing and selection of any necessary experts is undertaken and data review and assimilation or testing is undertaken. Selecting and using appropriate trial experts and filing all the appropriate legal memoranda on behalf of clients with a well-appointed strategy in mind is essential to negotiating with the government or state and in preparing for trial.
Trial
Preparation is the key to an effective defense at trial. Ali has been involved in over 100 jury trials, many of them lasting longer than 4 weeks. Having a vast amount of experience with to lengthy, high-profile cases, Ali prepares exhaustively for every trial. He painstakingly prepares for all relevant issues and witness testimony. With years of experience dealing with document-intensive cases, he is adept in organizing his team to successfully presenting documentary and testimonial evidence.
Sentencing
Sentencing in federal court and state court are vastly different. In federal court the judge handles all sentencing matters and a voluminous amount of time in undertaken by good federal practitioners to review and object to the Presentence Investigation Report. Ali is an experienced and highly regarded federal sentencing attorney. Ali attendants all presentence interviews conducted by the probation department of the citizen, interacts with the assigned United States Probation Officer, reviews, researches and objections to all facets of the Presentence Investigation Report (“PSIR”), and prepares and files departure or variance motions, compilation of mitigating sentencing materials and argument at sentencing.
Conversely, state court sentencing is like a mini trial that may be held before the jury that convicted the citizen or the judge who heard the trial. This is often a critical stage of criminal proceeding. Having been involved in hundreds of trials and sentencing proceedings, Ali is well aware of what it takes to prepare an appropriate presentation to the court or jury and convince them to sentence the citizen compassionately and justly, taking into account all mitigating factors that warrant consideration.
Appeal
Ali is a practiced legal researcher and brief writer. Appellate representation includes the identification of issues for appeal, drafting of appellate briefs and oral argument, if necessary. Ali has argued before the First and Fourteenth State Courts of Appeals as well as Fifth Circuit Courts of Appeal and has filed Petitions for Discretionary Review to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals as well as Petitions for Writs of Certiorari in the United States Supreme Court. Appellate law is extremely complex and it is critical to be represented by a seasoned and qualified professional who understand the time restrictions and the law.
Other
Ali provides representation and assistance with other issues arising in criminal cases. Examples of related matters with which he can provide representation include: motions to seal, expunctions, sealing of juvenile records, motions for new trial, asset forfeiture proceedings, motions for post-sentencing sentence reductions under Rule 35 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and select civil matters, particularly as they relate to criminal cases or any potential charges.