What Should I Do If I’m Under a Federal Criminal Investigation?

While news of any criminal investigation is unwelcome, you should be on especially high alert if you’re the target of a federal criminal investigation. Federal agencies have substantial resources at their fingertips, allowing them to conduct incredibly thorough investigations long before a suspect even knows they’re being watched. Furthermore, the consequences of a federal conviction are stiff. You could be forced to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines and spend decades in federal prison, depending on the charges you’re facing.

This isn’t a time to “wait and see” or just hope for the best. This is a time to be proactive, take your future into your own hands, and prepare for the worst. Call Coumanis & York at 251-336-3491 to set up a consultation with our team of criminal defense attorneys in Mobile, AL.

Contact a Lawyer—Yesterday Was the Best Time, Now is the Next Best Option

If you’re part of a federal criminal investigation, there is no such thing as hiring an attorney too early. No matter what, the federal agency or agencies digging into your background and activities have a leg up on you. The sooner you get a lawyer involved, the sooner they can find out what the federal agency knows, what they are looking for, and the potential outcomes of your situation.

Remember Your Right to Remain Silent

If you followed the first tip on this list, your attorney will already have told you what to do if you’re arrested or brought in by law enforcement. There’s this myth that choosing to remain silent makes you look guilty or implicates you; in popular criminal investigation TV shows, only guilty suspects actually remain silent or ask for an attorney. This could not be further from the truth. The fact is that staying silent until you have your attorney present is absolutely critical when it comes to protecting your future and avoiding critical damage to your case.

Learn More About the Investigation

Depending on the charges they’re investigating, there could be multiple federal agencies involved in your investigation. Agencies that often investigate federal crimes include Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, and Internal Revenue Service. Your attorney will gather details about the charges or potential charges against you, the evidence that the agencies in question have, and what the agencies’ plans are. This gives them a chance to begin crafting your defense, looking for potential defenses against the charges you’re facing, and considering different strategies. They may also delve into the subpoenas, arrest warrants, and search warrants that are relevant to your case.

Communicate With the Agencies Involved Via Your Attorney

This is a crucial part of your case. Do not ever communicate with the federal agencies handling your case alone. Anything you say has the potential to hurt you, no matter how much you think it will exonerate you. Investigators are not looking for a way to drop the charges against you and stop their investigation; they are looking for anything they can use to strengthen their case against you. Remember that your freedom and your financial stability are at stake here. Only communicate with the agencies in question through your attorney or with your Mobile, AL attorney present.

Decide How You Want to Handle the Matter Publicly

If you’re facing sizable charges or you’re a public figure, there’s a good chance that the case against you will stir up public interest. You may want to talk to your lawyer about how you want to handle this or even bring in a public relations specialist. While you don’t want to accept guilt, you also don’t want to malign the federal agencies that people trust and respect. Walking this line requires careful wording and planning, and your lawyer can put you on the right path.

Facing Federal Charges? Contact Coumanis & York Now

Federal charges can change the course of your life forever; that’s why you need to talk to a criminal defense attorney now. Our Mobile, AL team is committed to helping people like you protect their freedom, their future, and their careers. Learn more about your legal options now by contacting us online or giving us a call at 251-336-3491.