Ms. Amato began practicing before the DC Federal Court in 1998. Having appeared before Judges in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for these 20 years, she is fully qualified and acquainted with the practices and procedures of the judges before this Court.
Elita C. Amato competently handles the full array of criminal cases coming before the Federal Court. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, white collar fraud cases, money laundering, drug offenses, conspiracy charges, immigration re-entry cases, and RICO matters. She also handles 2255 post trial matters, and her careful review of trial court proceedings, resulted in reduction of a client’s sentence.
Ms. Amato’s work before the United States District Court for the District of Columbia also includes the representation of foreign nationals extradited to the United States and charged in criminal cases. Such representation has included individuals from Columbia, Panama, Guatemala, and Ecuador, and as part of her work she has travelled overseas on some of these cases. Her proficiency in languages greatly helps her obtain useful information to assist in the defense of her cases by being able to speak directly with witnesses and other relevant persons.
She also practices before the United States Circuit Court for the District of Columbia handling cases on appeal from the D.C. federal court.
She has been quoted in the Washington Post regarding some of her cases:
“I certainly understand the judge’s precautions and concerns,” Elita C. Amato, an attorney for defendant [ ] said after the hearing.
Washington Post, 11/6/2014-case dismissed
“Federal prosecutors yesterday dropped charges against two Michigan performance artists… and were represented in court by their attorneys,”…. Elita Amato.
Washington Post, 2003-case dismissed
“The two men on trial were ‘expendable’ and given up ‘to protect someone else’ higher in the cartel, said [defense] attorney, Elita C. Amato.”
Washington Post, 7/25/2017-extradition case
Practice areas:
White Collar Fraud Matters
- Bribery
- Bank Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Tax Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Extortion
Fraudulent Document Cases
Conspiracy Offenses
Drug charges
Drug Importation Cases
Interstate Transportation of Explosives
Gun Offenses
Bank Robbery Charges
Hostage Taking