NEW JERSEY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

New Jersey Government Investigations Lawyers  

How to Protect Yourself During a Federal Investigation

If you’re being investigated by a federal agency, it’s normal to feel scared and powerless. However, with an experienced defense attorney from Spodek Law Group, the process can become less confusing, and you’ll get answers to your questions. Your attorney can walk you through the case and help you understand what’s going on.

Different federal agencies might launch investigations against corporations or individuals, with the FBI being among the top investigators. The FBI works towards protecting the United States of America from foreign intelligence threats and terrorism, as well as enforcing criminal laws in America. Furthermore, they combat criminal organizations, major white-collar crimes, public corruption, and other severe violent crimes.

Learning That You’re Under Government Investigation

There are several ways that you could learn that you’re under investigation. You may receive a knock on your door by law enforcement officers or at work or receive a letter from the US Attorney’s Office or a subpoena.

It’s important to remember that federal law enforcement agents could orchestrate encounters with you to disorient and confuse you into talking to them without your lawyer present. If such an encounter happens, consider if it’s for you first to speak with investigating officers. They may make it seem like not talking implies hiding something.

What Happens When Served With A Search Warranty?

A search warrant is an approval document from a judge or magistrate that contains evidence or probable cause indicating that one committed a federal crime with items or documents related to said crime in their possession.

In case such a warrant gets served against you, it’s essential to speak with your attorney before speaking with anyone.

When speaking with investigators without legal counsel present and saying something inaccurate or wrong intentionally or unintentionally, charges may be made against one for lying or obstruction of justice even in cases where there are no underlying charges.

What To Do In Such A Situation?

Federal investigators often use tactics aimed at destressing and confusing you. The course of action is to remain silent and politely decline to answer any questions asked by agents. It’s worth noting that neither you nor your family members are obligated to speak with the law enforcement agents. However, requesting a search warrant return that documents all items seized by the agents politely is recommended.

Talking with Your Attorney

In some cases, there may be enough time to get in touch with a lawyer. In cases where one gets subpoenaed to produce documents or appear before a Grand Jury, their attorney should inform them of the privileges available for objecting to particular questions.

It’s crucial to note that when objectionable information is shared, privilege gets waived. An attorney will assess your situation to determine whether you are the subject, target, or witness of an ongoing investigation.

Interviews by Federal Agents

Federal inspectors commonly request interviews from federal employees; if you’re approached by Office of Inspector General agents and work as a federal employee, it’s worth noting that most agencies have an OIG office condition on employees talking with its agents.

Violation of these offices’ rules could translate into criminal action; sometimes violations can be as simple as an incorrect timeslip. Where an agent shows up uninvited at your workplace and requests an interview, assess the situation before deciding whether you’ll talk to them.

Conclusion

Being investigated doesn’t necessarily mean there is evidence of guilt against people being probed. Powerful people are investigated daily on multiple issues such as anti-corruption, manipulation of benchmarks or securities trading, among other ethical issues related to compliance procedures or registration practices. Being prepared for any legal situation always starts with hiring experienced lawyers from firms like Spodek Law Group who can help navigate complex investigations professionally while protecting their clients’ interests during such processes.

Table 1: Different Federal Agencies

________________________________________________________________________
|Agency 	  | Function					|     
|____________________|_________________________________________________|
|Federal Bureau of   | Work towards protecting the US against foreign | 
|Investigation (FBI) | intelligence threats, terrorism and enforcing  |
|                    | criminal laws in America.                      |
|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
|Office of Inspector | Federal employees must talk to OIG agents.     |
|General       	  |                                                 |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 

Table 2: Scenarios During a Government Investigation

__________________________________________________________________________
|Scenario          	    	   		| Action                           			|
|_________________________________________|___________________________________________________________________|
|Knock on your door by law officers      | Consider talking to the investigators before they ask  			|
|(at work or home), subpoena, or letter 	|(interview). Polite decline or request for search warranty return. 
+----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|interview		             	    	| Remained quiet and avoided answer interview questions   			|
+----------------------------------------+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
|interview with an agent at your workplace    | Asses the situation and think about speaking with them laterwhen you have legal counsel present |
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