Federal Defenders Virtual Series: Session No.3 - Make a Federal Case Out of It: Investigating and Defending §1326 Cases

At first blush, §1326 cases may seem factually simple: according to the government, your client was deported, and they are back, right?  In reality, these cases can involve significant factual development for pretrial litigation, uncovering potential citizenship justifications and creative trial arguments. This session will highlight how best to create an investigation plan for a §1326 case to maximize defense options in these deceptively ‘simple’ cases.

Presenters:

Jack Alcantara, Esq., is a seasoned investigator with over two decades of experience in criminal defense. He currently serves as the Assistant Chief Investigator for the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc., where he collaborates closely with attorneys to build robust defenses for clients facing federal charges. His role includes field investigations, discovery review, evidence collection, and witness interviews across the U.S. and Mexico. Jack’s deep expertise, cross-border investigative experience, and dedication to justice have made him a trusted and highly respected figure in the field of criminal defense.

Sara M. Peloquin is an Attorney Advisor in the Defender Services Office, Training Division (DSO-TD).  Prior to her position with DSO-TD, she was an Attorney with the Federal Defenders of San Diego, Inc. (FDSDI) in the Southern District of California for nearly 20 years. She tried a variety of federal criminal cases including many with illegal re-entry, sex trafficking and fraud charges.

Note:  Registration for this webinar series is limited to federal defender organization staff.

CLE: N/A