Facing any kind of criminal charge can be incredibly stressful, as the penalties for a simple misdemeanor can be harsh and damaging to your reputation. As such, facing federal charges can be even more overwhelming. It’s important to understand what it means to be the target of a federal investigation and the signs that this is occurring. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters, including the importance of working with an Oklahoma City federal crime lawyer as soon as possible to assist you during these overwhelming matters.
What Does It Mean to Be the Target of a Federal Investigation?
When the federal government initiates an investigation, it generally comes as the result of a whistleblower complaint, irregularities discovered by federal agencies during financial audits, or even from information from cooperating witnesses or defendants in a criminal case.
Generally, when a federal investigation begins, those individuals involved will be classified as either witnesses, subjects, or targets. A witness is someone who has information about a case, while a subject is someone whose conduct falls within the scope of the investigation, but the prosecution has not gathered enough evidence to charge them with a crime.
If you are the target of a federal investigation, however, this means that the prosecution has reason to believe you have committed a crime while gathering the evidence necessary to help prosecute you. Generally, if you are the target, the government has substantial evidence against you.
What Are the Signs This Is Occurring?
One clear sign that you are the target of an investigation conducted by the federal government is that you are contacted by federal agents. These can be agents from the FBI, DEA, AFT, or even the IRS. While the agents may say they just have a few questions, it’s important to understand that anything you say can be used against you, as they are often looking for confirmation for information they already have or suspect. As such, if the agents wish to speak with you, you should politely decline and inform them that you would like to speak with your attorney first.
Another sign that a federal investigation may be occurring is unusual activity on your financial accounts. If your bank accounts are suddenly frozen or you are randomly asked to provide records for an audit, this can be a sign that an investigation against you is underway.
Other signs include receiving letters in the mail, being subpoenaed for documents or testimony, and even being placed under surveillance.
What Should I Do?
If you have reason to believe you are under investigation by the federal government, it is imperative to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. In the meantime, you should not, under any circumstances, speak with federal officials without legal counsel. Anything you say can be held against you, and may result in accidental self-incrimination.
Additionally, you should not destroy evidence. This includes deleting emails or messages, shredding documents, or getting rid of physical objects. Doing so can not only damage your credibility but can also result in additional charges.
It’s critical to understand that you do not have to face a federal investigation on your own. At the Jones Firm, PLLC, our dedicated legal team will do everything in our power to help guide you through these difficult times. When you need assistance, our legal team is ready to represent you. Contact us today to learn more about how we can fight for you.
