Federal crimes are any offenses that violate U.S. federal laws. Typically, they have national or interstate implications, such as mail fraud, tax offenses, and insurance fraud. Before federal prosecutors indict someone for a federal offense, they complete a rigorous investigation. For example, if the feds suspect a person of committing corporate fraud, the FBI will investigate and look for significant evidence before making an arrest. Other federal agencies that will conduct investigations into federal crimes include:
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- United States Secret Service (USSS)
- Homeland Security Investigation (DHS/HSI)
If federal investigators question you, you should seek the counsel of a skilled federal crimes defense attorney to make sure that you protect your rights every step of the way.
Fourth Amendment Rights
Federal investigators try to unveil incriminating evidence and illuminate the details of a case for prosecutors. A common step in any investigation is searching, whether it be a suspect’s vehicle, clothes, or home. The Fourth Amendment typically requires law enforcement to have probable cause before they conduct a search. To help enforce the Fourth Amendment, a “neutral and detached” judge is supposed to issue a search warrant before police can search a person’s property. Even if police have probable cause to arrest someone for a federal crime, they typically need an arrest warrant. If investigators do not have probable cause to suspect you of a federal offense and are infringing your rights, a federal criminal defense attorney can help you distinguish between lawful and unlawful searches. If police witness a federal crime, they may skip the investigation portion of federal crime enforcement and arrest a suspect immediately.
Fifth Amendment Rights
Federal investigators might approach you with questions regarding a crime they suspect you or someone you know of committing. If so, your Fifth Amendment rights prevent you from having to answer any of their questions. The Fifth Amendment covers several bases, but when dealing with federal investigations, it primarily protects people against self-incrimination, which prevents you from having to incriminate yourself by responding to federal investigators’ questions. If investigators question you, speak with an attorney first before proceeding.
Contact a Queens Federal Crime Defense Lawyer
Federal investigators are required by law to not overstep a suspect’s rights. If you know that a federal agency is investigating you and suspects you of a federal offense, meet with a New York criminal defense attorney. The preliminary stage of a federal investigation is rife with moments when you need to protect the rights granted to you by the U.S. constitution, and Attorney Joey Jackson has years of experience protecting clients and leading them through contentious cases. Call JOEY JACKSON LAW, PLLC today at 1-833-JOEYJACKSON or 833-563-9522 to schedule a private consultation.
Sources:
https://www.justice.gov/usao/justice-101/steps-federal-criminal-process https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fourth_amendment https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fifth_amendment