How to Tell if You Are Under Federal Investigation

 Posted on May 30, 2019 in Federal Crimes

If you are under federal investigation, you will want to speak to an attorney right away. Having an attorney by your side can prevent you from saying something that will incriminate yourself, and can ensure your rights are protected throughout the entire process.

The problem is that many people do not realize they are under investigation until they receive a federal indictment. At that point, the prosecution has already been hard at work building a case against you, and you haven’t had a chance yet to create a defense. To help with this issue, there are some telltale signs that you’re under federal investigation. If you notice any of them, it is best to call a lawyer as soon as possible.

Someone Tells You

The chances are that during a federal investigation, a government agent will speak to a third party. If you get lucky, one of those people may tell you that federal agents were asking about you. If you hear this, do not take it lightly or try to simply hide from the charges. It does not work. You need an experienced federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

You Notice Surveillance Efforts

It might sound like something that only happens on television or in the movies, but it is not. Sometimes during an investigation, federal agents will park vehicles on your street, or even have people follow you. They may even install an app on your phone that taps into your conversations and tracks you everywhere you go. If this happens, your phone will suddenly start acting as though it has a bug, or the battery will drain much faster than it once did.

Federal Agents Approach You

If federal agents show up at your home or your business “just wanting to talk,” you should comply. You may not be under investigation, you could also be considered a witness to another crime. Whatever the case is, be as honest as possible with them. It is a serious crime to lie to federal agents and will only get you in trouble.

Your Business Receives a Subpoena

If the government has subpoenaed anything in your business, they are looking for information. It is completely natural to want to destroy the documents, but you must never do this. Just like lying to federal agents is a crime, so too is tampering with evidence. Anything the federal government has asked for is now considered evidence, whether they use it or not. Provide them with whatever they are asking for and let a federal criminal defense lawyer handle the rest.

If You Are Under Investigation, Call a Chicago Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

The prosecution will want to ensure they have a fairly good case against you before laying charges and in order to do that, they must perform a lengthy investigation. Anyone that suspects they are the target of an investigation should call a criminal defense lawyer for help.

If you think you are under federal investigation or have already been indicted, call the Law Offices of Hal M. Garfinkel at 312-629-0669. Our experienced Chicago criminal defense attorneys know the situation is not as hopeless as it seems, and we want to help with your case. We will create a strong defense and refute the statements of the prosecution to give you the best chance of success in court. Call today for your free consultation.

Source:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1001