I am attorney Charles Swift, retired JAG officer and a nationally-recognized attorney in national security law. I have had the opportunity to represent clients in many of the nation's most significant cases involving national security issues. Swift & McDonald is regularly called on to provide legal representation and counsel on cases involving all areas of national security.
National Security Law
National Security Law concerns cases that implicate either classified information or other national security concerns. Since 9/11, these types of cases have expanded dramatically. Typically, these cases rarely involve actual acts of terrorism, espionage, or other violent crimes. Instead, they involve activities that, until 9/11, would have been considered white-collar crimes, such as improper transfers of funds to organizations or individuals, material support of terrorism, immigration fraud, wrongful release of classified information, false statements, or other similar crimes.
Although these crimes ordinarily would not be as serious as violent crimes or drug distribution charges, defendants often face extraordinary sentences well in excess of those typically imposed in most cases because of enhancements under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. Since 9/11, Muslims and Islamic charities have been among the most likely to be targeted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of the Treasury and the US Justice Department for investigation and prosecution.
While facts of these cases vary widely, commonly the targets of the investigation were subject to extensive surveillance by federal government agencies acting under the authority of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) prior to prosecution or civil seizure proceedings, and the defendant's discovery rights are often governed by the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA).
Handling a national security case requires not only extensive criminal defense experience; it also requires a thorough understanding of the laws and regulations governing the collection and dissemination of intelligence. Charles Swift has handled numerous national security cases. He served as the principal military attorney on the landmark case of Hamdan v. Rumsfeld and is a member of both the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) National Security Law Committee and the Charity and Security Network, and has served as both advisory and retained counsel for the Muslim Legal Fund of America. He holds a top-secret clearance, enabling him to immediately begin reviewing documents ("discovery") in a case.
From our offices in Seattle, we provide legal services for service personnel, as well as expert witness testimony for cases throughout the world. Call us toll free at 800-391-7308 to learn more about my experience and professional credentials in all areas of national security law, including:
- Defense of cases involving National Security Issues
- Civil Defense of IEEPA and Special Designation as a Terrorist Organization
- Witness Representation
- Security Clearances
- TSA Issues and Violations
In matters of national security, nothing substitutes for experience. We bring a proven track record of success and knowledge to every case I handle. In addition to relevant experience, we also have experience working with the media in matters relating to national security.
From offices in Seattle, the firm represents clients in civilian criminal matters and military family law matters throughout Washington State. Mr. Swift represents clients in military law matters at U.S. bases around the world. Contact the law firm of Swift & McDonald to arrange a free initial consultation with an experienced national security law attorney today.
