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Federal Investigations

What are Federal Investigations?

Federal investigations are the first step in the federal criminal justice process. In the investigation stage, federal law enforcement agents are investigating individuals for potential violations of federal law. Their goals are to determine: (1) whether a federal crime has been committed; (2) the parties responsible; and (3) the evidence pertaining to the crime, if any.

How do Federal Investigations Begin?

Federal investigations are usually triggered by the filing of a crime report. Sometimes, it can begin as a result of information law enforcement agents receive from defendants in pending criminal cases who are hoping to receive leniency by offering substantial assistance in the form of cooperation, or a federal investigation may begin when data gathered by a federal intelligence agency, such as the CIA, or from a civil investigation performed by a regulatory agency, such as the SEC or the FDA, is turned over to law enforcement.

Who Conducts Federal Investigations?

Federal investigations are conducted primarily by federal law enforcement agents, who gather evidence and interview witnesses.  Agents assigned to the case work closely with a federal prosecutor. The prosecutor gives the agents legal guidance and helps the agents with obtaining legal documents such as subpoenas and search warrants.

The law enforcement agency responsible for investigating whether a federal crime has occurred depends on the specific characteristics of the offense.  The FBI is usually involved with the investigation of federal crimes including bombings, mail fraud, kidnappings, serial killers, and identity theft.  The U.S. Postal Inspector is involved with the investigation of federal crimes including mail fraud, money laundering, identity theft, illegal narcotics, and cyber crime.  Homeland Security investigates all types of cross-border criminal activity, including financial crimes, bulk cash smuggling, cyber crimes, trade crimes such as commercial fraud and intellectual property theft, and identity and benefit fraud.  The IRS investigates tax fraud, identity theft, money laundering, bank fraud, public corruption, and entitlement and subsidy fraud.

It is not uncommon for multiple federal agencies, or federal and state agencies, to work in partnership, sharing resources and intelligence in a joint investigation. In these situations, one or more agents may take the charge and serve as the “lead” or “case” agent overseeing the investigation.

Once the investigation is completed, the case is turned over to a federal prosecutor who will decide whether to bring any formal criminal charges.

How are Federal Investigations Conducted?

Federal law enforcement agents use a number of investigative techniques, including:

  • wiretapping the suspect's phone
  • performing physical surveillance over a period of weeks or months, including drone surveillance
  • monitoring the suspect's online activity
  • using a wire to record conversations
  • reviewing a suspect's financial documents, such as bank records or tax returns
  • issuing grand jury subpoenas for testimony and documents
  • executing search warrants and analyzing the materials obtained, such as computers and smart phones
  • conducting witness interviews and proffer sessions.

How do I know if I am under Federal Investigation?

Federal investigations can take years before any federal criminal charges are filed and tend to be conducted in secret.  It is not uncommon for individuals to have no idea they are even under federal investigation until one of the following happens:

  • A federal prosecutor formally notifies you that you are the target of an investigation through a target letter.
  • A federal law enforcement agent contacts you by phone and asks for a meeting.
  • Federal agents show up unannounced at your home or place of business and try to interrogate you.
  • Federal agents execute a search warrant at your home or place of business.
  • You receive a grand jury subpoena requiring you to testify or provide documents.

What does it mean if I Receive a Grand Jury Subpoena?

If you receive a grand jury subpoena, you are considered to be either a witness, a subject or a target.  It is crucial to understand your status in a federal investigation to know whether or not you will be charged with a federal crime.

  • Witness: Being a witness in a federal investigation does not necessarily mean that you observed or saw a crime happen. You may have information that law enforcement believes might be relevant in a criminal investigation to help prove either the guilt or the innocence of another individual or business.
  • Subject:  A “subject of an investigation” is a person who has engaged in conduct that may look suspicious or unethical, but the prosecutor isn't certain that a provable crime has been committed and wants to do more investigating in order to be sure.
  • Target:  A “target of an investigation” is a person who the prosecutor has substantial evidence linking him or her to the commission of a crime. Designation as a "target" provides a clear warning to the person that federal criminal charges are imminent.

What if Federal Agents try to Speak with me?

DO NOT speak with federal agents without first speaking with a knowledgeable and experienced federal criminal defense attorney.  You are under no obligation to make any statements to federal agents and anything you say or write can be used against you.

If you are implicated in a federal investigation, especially as a target, you should obtain legal representation immediately.

Get help from an Experienced Federal Investigations Attorney.  

Ann Fitz frequently represents people who have become involved in federal criminal investigations. These individuals have been targets, subjects, or witnesses in an investigation.

In many cases, Ann Fitz can resolve federal investigations for her clients discreetly without federal criminal charges being filed. When criminal charges are inevitable, she makes sure her clients are in the best position possible to defend against those charges when they are filed.

You can talk to Attorney Ann Fitz in a free initial consultation at her firm's West Palm Beach office. Call 561-932-1690 or send her an email to schedule your consultation.

Cooperating with the Government

Sometimes it makes sense for federal criminal defendants to cooperate with the government to receive a reduced sentence.

At sentencing, the government will file a Motion for Departure under § 5K1.1 of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines which can result in a decreased sentence of either probation or a 25%-50% reduction in prison time (depending on the extent of cooperation).

The best time to begin cooperating is during the investigation and before criminal charges are filed.

Cooperation can involve providing information that will lead to the investigation and arrest of other persons, going undercover, agreeing to repeated debriefings with law enforcement officers, agreeing to meetings with prosecutors and defense attorneys, and testifying in court or testifying before a grand jury.

Contact Us Today

The Law Office of Ann Fitz is committed to answering your questions about Criminal Defense law issues in Florida. We offer a Free Consultation and we'll gladly discuss your case with you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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