Most federal criminal cases begin with investigations, and those investigations can be lengthy. Indeed, the investigation process for federal offenses often lasts much longer and tends to be more involved than the investigation process for state criminal offenses. Many different federal agencies can launch and conduct investigations, such as the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and others.
The moment you realize that you are under investigation for one or more federal offenses, it is critical to begin working with a Dallas federal criminal defense attorney who can begin strategizing with you about defenses and assisting you in any aspects of the criminal investigation and case as it moves forward, including through an arrest, charges, and a trial. Yet you might not realize that you are under federal investigation unless you know what to expect. The following are signs that you could be under investigation for a federal criminal offense and that you should contact a lawyer to represent you.
1. You Receive a Target Letter
When a person is under investigation for a federal criminal offense, that person might receive a target letter from a federal prosecutor. In a target letter, a person can be asked to cooperate with a federal criminal investigation and will likely request that you contact the prosecutor’s office to schedule a time to speak. You should contact a federal criminal defense attorney immediately, and you should not speak with a prosecutor until you have had a chance to discuss the matter with your own lawyer.
2. Federal Investigator Shows Up at Your Residence
If a federal investigator knocks at the door of your residence, you should know that you may be under investigation. To be sure, for many people who are under investigation for a federal criminal offense, having an investigator knock is the first indication that you are under investigation and need to hire a federal criminal defense attorney.
3. Investigators Arrive at Your House with a Search Warrant
When investigators arrive at your house and have a search warrant to search the premises, you should assume that you are under investigation and should get in touch with an attorney as soon as possible. When investigators execute a search warrant, it may be the most obvious sign or indication that you are under investigation for a criminal offense.
4. You Are Subpoenaed
Sometimes you will not be directly contacted by a law enforcement agency at all, but rather will be subpoenaed. You should always assume that, if you are subpoenaed, you need to seek advice from a lawyer. Even if you are being subpoenaed to provide information for a case against another party, you should have a federal criminal defense lawyer on your side.
Contact a Dallas Federal Criminal Defense Attorney As Soon As Possible
From the first moment you realize that you may be under investigation for a federal criminal offense, it is critical to seek help from a criminal defense lawyer. One of our experienced Dallas federal criminal defense attorneys can talk with you today about your circumstances and, if you are in fact under federal investigation, we can begin representing you and working with you to develop a strong defense strategy.
Our firm as years of experience representing clients in a wide range of federal criminal matters, including federal fraud crimes, theft crimes, property crimes, computer and internet crimes, and sex crimes. Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC today.