what kind of lawyer do i need for federal investigation

Look for a white collar defense attorney with extensive experience defending clients against federal government investigations as well as state level criminal offenses. Consult with a federal government investigations lawyer to learn more about what you are facing and how to prepare.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer for a federal criminal case?

Apr 05, 2022 · Federal court is very different from state court and you will need an attorney that is well versed in federal laws and federal procedures who has appeared in federal court. The best defense attorney will also explain to you how the investigative process works and what to expect.

Do I need an attorney if the FBI has questioned me?

A federal investigation is the first step in the federal criminal justice process. In this stage, federal law enforcement agents are investigating potential violations of federal law. Their goals are to determine: (1) whether a federal crime has been committed; (2) the parties responsible; and (3) the evidence pertaining to the crime, if any.

Why should I hire a federal law enforcement attorney?

Hire a good communicator. Perhaps most importantly, the lawyer you hire is going to be spending a lot of time communicating with you. She’ll talk to you about the law and about the facts as you see them and as the government does. As importantly, the lawyer will be presenting your side of what happened to the government.

What is a federal investigation?

What do you do in a federal investigation?

What You Should DoImmediately hire a federal criminal defense attorney.Find out your rights.Be honest with your attorney.Find out whether you are a witness, subject or target.Consider whether you want to cooperate with the investigation.Keep detailed records.Make copies of any pertinent documents.More items...

How do you tell if you're under federal investigation?

Probably the second most common way people learn that they're under federal investigation is when the police execute a search warrant at the person's house or office. If the police come into your house and execute a search warrant, then you know that you are under investigation.

How long can the feds investigate you?

For most federal crimes, the statute of limitations is five years. Bank fraud has a statute of limitations of ten years. Immigration violations and arson are also subject to a ten year limit. Kidnapping also has a limit of ten years, or the child's lifetime, whichever is longer.

What is a subject in a federal investigation?

To a federal prosecutor, a subject is a person whose conduct is within the scope of a grand jury's investigation. That typically means that the government considers the subject's behavior suspicious, and there is some risk that the subject has engaged in illegal activity.

What kind of crimes does the FBI investigate?

The FBI has divided its investigations into a number of programs, such as domestic and international terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cyber crime, public corruption, civil rights, organized crime/drugs, white-collar crime, violent crimes and major offenders, and applicant matters.

How do you get the FBI to investigate a case?

EmergenciesFill out our Online Tips and Public Leads form at tips.fbi.gov.Call 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324)Contact your local field office or closest international office.

How does an investigation begin?

In most cases, a federal investigation is triggered by the filing of a credible crime report. Sometimes, it may also commence as a result of information law enforcement agents receive from defendants in pending criminal cases who are hoping to receive leniency (i.e., cooperators).

What are at least 3 key rights of the accused?

The Sixth Amendment guarantees the rights of criminal defendants, including the right to a public trial without unnecessary delay, the right to a lawyer, the right to an impartial jury, and the right to know who your accusers are and the nature of the charges and evidence against you.

Why do FBI investigations take so long?

Federal Criminal Cases are More Sophisticated Two, usually federal cases are more sophisticated and involve more moving parts than state cases and that's why the federal cases are taking longer to file. The feds don't just file any case.

What are three examples of questions that crime scene investigators should ask witnesses?

What are three examples of questions that detectives may ask crime scene witnesses? What was the time of the crime scene? Did you hear anything? What was the victim wearing?

What is the target of an investigation?

A target is the person to the prosecutor is gunning for, that's the target of investigation. It's the person who the prosecutor believes has committed a crime and their trying to figure out what the crime was and how to build a case against them.

What is a DOJ investigation?

The DOJ covers investigations from both civil issues (such as child support issues and tort actions) and criminal matters (murders or federal drugs crimes, for example).

What happens if you are under investigation by the FBI?

If you are under investigation by the FBI, that investigation is likely criminal in nature. Thus, you are at risk of receiving criminal charges, prison time, probation, or criminal fines. In many cases, the way a target acts during the course of an FBI investigation determines whether that person is charged at all.

What is the FBI?

The FBI is a primary agency for investigating healthcare fraud and other federal crimes. It investigates potential fraud of both federal and private insurance programs. The FBI works under the supervision of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and often works in cooperation with the Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG).

Who is Nick the lawyer?

Nick is a zealous advocate for his client, and will never sacrifice his client's interests for a quick or easy resolution to a case. At the end of the day, Nick is a great person to know if you or your business is in need of a top litigator or defense attorney. read more.

Can the FBI access your social media?

The FBI may already have access to your social media accounts just like your communication records. You should not discuss the details of your case on social media, no matter how strict you set your privacy settings. Anything you post can be used against you. Posts of money or expensive luxury items are often particularly problematic.

Can you testify against someone who is cooperating with the government?

You do not know who is cooperating with the government. Conversations may be recorded and even if they are not. Anyone you speak with (other than your attorney) may be called to testify against you. In addition, saying the wrong thing could lead to obstruction of justice charges that may carry penalties as severe as the underlying charges being investigated.

What is federal investigation?

What is a federal investigation? A federal investigation is the first step in the federal criminal justice process. In this stage, federal law enforcement agents are investigating potential violations of federal law. Their goals are to determine: (1) whether a federal crime has been committed; (2) the parties responsible;

How long does a federal investigation take?

A federal investigation can take a long time. In some cases, agents may investigate a case for years before bringing any federal criminal charges. Moreover, federal investigations tend to be conducted in secret; documents and reports pertaining to the investigation may be classified; agents involved in the investigation may be instructed to not discuss it in public. During this time, the subject of the investigation may not even be aware that he is under investigation until agents are knocking on his door to make an arrest. Individuals frequently only find out that they are under federal investigation when one of the following things occur: 1 A federal prosecutor formally notifies you that you are the target of an investigation through a target letter. 2 A federal law enforcement agent contacts you by phone and asks for a meeting. 3 Federal agents show up unannounced at your home, place of business or other location that you frequent, and try to interrogate you. 4 Federal agents execute a search warrant at your home or place of business. 5 You receive a grand jury subpoena requiring you to testify or provide documents. 6 Former colleagues or business associates tell you that they have been interviewed, searched, or subpoenaed to testify in connection with activities that you were involved in.

What does the prosecutor do?

The prosecutor gives the agents legal guidance, and helps the agents with obtaining legal documents such as subpoenas and search warrants. In addition, the prosecutor is the one who will decide whether to bring any formal criminal charges at the end of the investigation.

What happens if a federal agent shows up at your home?

Federal agents show up unannounced at your home, place of business or other location that you frequent, and try to interrogate you. Federal agents execute a search warrant at your home or place of business. You receive a grand jury subpoena requiring you to testify or provide documents.

What to do if you get a subpoena?

Similarly, if you receive a subpoena requiring you to produce documents, an attorney can often reach out to prosecutors and significantly narrow the scope of what should be produced. An attorney can also advise you as to what documents you may have a right to withhold from production.