If you are about to be indicted or arrested on federal criminal charges, you need a criminal defense attorney who understands the special challenges that federal criminal charges present and how to proceed. Federal violations often carry more severe penalties than state and local crimes. Federal prosecutors typically have more resources than state courts to prepare cases against defendants. This is no time to count on your ability to talk your way out of a jam.
In many cases, there are signs that a federal investigation is underway and that it is focusing on you. If you understand what is happening, you should take prompt action to protect your rights and, potentially, your freedom.
If you see signs you’re the target of a federal investigation, we urge you to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney and seek legal advice immediately. The New Jersey criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have the federal experience and strategic defense thinking needed to protect you from the harsh consequences of federal criminal charges. Our legal team includes former prosecutors and public defenders who have extensive experience handling federal criminal cases in New Jersey.
Overt Signs – The Most Obvious Indicators of a Federal Investigation
You should already have legal counsel whom you can notify if any of the following happens:
You Receive a Target Letter
A target letter is correspondence from the U.S. Attorney’s Office stating that the letter’s recipient is a target in a federal grand jury investigation. This means the U.S. Attorney believes you have information relevant to a current federal criminal case. In most cases, receiving a target letter means you will soon receive a subpoena requiring you to testify before a grand jury. Receipt of a target letter provides you the opportunity to protect yourself by consulting a criminal defense lawyer and preparing to testify before the grand jury.
Federal Agents at Your Door
When federal law enforcement officers from the FBI, DEA, ATF, or IRS, show up at your door, they mean business. It may be early in the morning or late at night. At whatever time they show up, they will be armed with a search warrant to search the premises, gather evidence, and/or arrest you. They may be accompanied by local police. You need to cooperate, except that you should decline to answer any questions until you have an attorney present. You have the right to remain silent. If you are prevented from immediately calling an attorney, ask when you will be allowed to phone your attorney and do so ASAP.
Covert Signs of a Federal Investigation – The Things You Might Miss
Federal charges are often complex cases built upon lengthy investigations. There are often several acts behind the scenes that precede criminal charges and require special legal authorization. You should seek legal advice if you suspect any of the following is occurring:
- Surveillance: If you are under surveillance, you might notice unfamiliar vehicles or people who suddenly show up repeatedly. In some cases, your phone may be tapped. As an ongoing investigation nears its end, investigators may be more blatant about surveillance in hopes of pushing a suspect to do something incriminating.
- Unusual financial activity: Federal cases commonly involve financial crimes, such as embezzlement, fraud, or insider trading. “Follow the money” is the guiding principle of many federal investigations. Federal officials may monitor your bank accounts for large or unusual transactions and eventually subpoena your bank or accountant’s records. In the late stages of an investigation, they might freeze or seize your accounts.
- Grand jury subpoenas: If you receive a grand jury subpoena, the U.S. Attorney’s Office believes you have valuable information about an alleged crime they are investigating. A subpoena may require you to testify before the grand jury or to deliver tangible evidence, such as correspondence, photos, videos, audio recordings, or corporate documents. Generally, you must comply with a grand jury subpoena. However, sometimes a criminal defense attorney can file a motion to quash the subpoena so you do not have to testify or negotiate a reduced production obligation.
When It’s Not Just You Involved in a Federal Investigation?
Federal investigators may interview family, friends, co-workers, and/or other associates of yours. Most law-abiding people will cooperate with federal investigators, but people close to you may become more distant or evasive after talking to law enforcement. If it seems like everyone around you is acting differently or you know they’ve been contacted, it’s a good bet that it’s you they are being asked about.
This is the time to protect yourself by being discreet when speaking to friends, colleagues, and even family. In the meantime, you should level with your criminal defense lawyer. The legal protection of attorney-client privilege safeguards communications between an attorney and their client.
Attorney-client privilege applies to discussions related to legal advice, case strategy, and the client’s personal and confidential information. This means that neither the client nor the attorney can be compelled to disclose in court any privileged information the client shares with their attorney.
Attorney-client privilege does not apply to communication that enables anyone to plan or commit a crime or fraud.
What To Do If You Spot the Signs of a Federal Investigation?
If there are indications that you are being investigated for a federal crime, you should speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Regardless of your actual involvement in criminal activities, it is important that you engage a federal criminal defense attorney in New Jersey as soon as you have the first hint of a federal investigation or charges against you.
Promptly contacting an attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall allows us to investigate your case, including reaching out to contacts with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If your case is before the grand jury, it may be possible to negotiate with the government to have you testify under a grant of immunity.
If charges are inevitable, we may be able to keep the most serious charges under consideration from being filed. If you are facing criminal charges, we can begin immediately to build a defense to the government’s case.
Contact Our Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys Today
Do not wait to begin developing a strong legal defense to federal criminal charges. Contact a New Jersey federal criminal defense attorney from the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall as soon as you get any indication you are under federal investigation. Federal criminal penalties are severe and federal prosecutors have the resources to mount strong cases. In some cases, the doctrine of concurrent jurisdiction allows state prosecutors to bring a separate case against a defendant who has been acquitted of federal charges. Experienced legal protection is crucial.
Schedule a free consultation with our respected New Jersey federal criminal defense lawyers now.
