Need proffer representation in San Diego? Former federal prosecutor John D. Kirby provides experienced counsel for proffer sessions, cooperating witness agreements, and federal investigation representation.
Federal CourtProffer DefenseSan Diego CountyFormer Federal Prosecutor25+ Years
Judges: Superior Court Judges: Hon. Michael T. Smyth (Presiding Judge), Hon. Peter C. Deddeh, Hon. Kenneth K. So, Hon. Joan P. Weber, Hon. Charles G. Rogers
The Central Division is the main state courthouse for San Diego County. It handles the highest volume of felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials in the county. Federal cases are heard separately at the U.S. District Court on West Broadway.
Proffer Defense Practice Areas — San Diego
White Collar Crime
Fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, securities violations, public corruption
Drug Crimes
Federal trafficking, conspiracy, manufacturing, possession with intent to distribute
2255 motions, direct appeals to the Ninth Circuit, post-conviction relief
Healthcare Fraud
Medicare/Medicaid fraud, false claims, anti-kickback statute, Stark law violations
PPP & COVID Fraud
PPP loan fraud, EIDL fraud, pandemic relief program investigations
Proffer Defense in San Diego — What You Need to Know
Why is it especially important to hire a proffer defense attorney in San Diego before speaking with federal prosecutors?
San Diego's federal court on West Broadway handles a high volume of cross-border and maritime drug cases, meaning prosecutors often have extensive evidence before a proffer session. At the San Diego Superior Court — Central Division, where state-level felony arraignments occur at 1100 Union Street, the same aggressive tactics can spill over into state-federal task force investigations. A local attorney knows how U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego typically uses proffer statements to lock in inconsistent testimony later, so they can advise you to limit what you say.
Does a proffer agreement in San Diego protect me from being charged with additional crimes discovered during my interview?
No—proffer agreements in the Southern District of California usually allow prosecutors to use your statements to pursue new charges, especially in San Diego's organized retail theft or fentanyl trafficking cases. At the Central Division courthouse, judges often see these agreements as waivers of immunity, not shields. Your attorney must negotiate explicit carve-outs for any admissions you make, which is why hiring someone familiar with San Diego's prosecutorial culture is critical.
How does the Central Division's high felony volume affect the timing of a proffer session for someone charged in San Diego County?
With over 10,000 felony cases filed annually at 1100 Union Street, the Central Division's calendar is notoriously packed, so prosecutors may rush proffer sessions to meet preliminary hearing deadlines. A San Diego proffer defense lawyer can leverage this congestion to delay your session until they've reviewed discovery from the courthouse's document room. That delay can prevent you from accidentally contradicting evidence the government hasn't yet disclosed.
Why Local Counsel Matters for Federal Cases in San Diego
The San Diego Superior Court — Central Division operates under its own local rules, its own judges, and its own assigned federal prosecutors. An attorney who regularly practices in this courthouse understands how specific judges handle suppression motions, what the assigned AUSA typically offers in plea negotiations, and what sentencing outcomes are realistic for cases from the San Diego area. Do not hire a general practitioner who will be learning the federal system at your expense — your freedom deserves experienced representation that knows this courthouse.
For full practice area coverage — white collar crime, drug crimes, RICO, money laundering, tax evasion, healthcare fraud, PPP fraud, and federal appeals: