1. State Licensing Board Proceedings Professionals facing a state licensing board proceeding need to understand that licensing boards operate independently from the criminal court process. State occupational licensing boards have the authority to discipline…
Yes, it can. Many licensing boards are authorized to initiate investigations based on various trigger events, such as being the subject of a federal investigation or an indictment for a crime involving fraud, child…
When Federal Agents Contact You or Your Employer If a federal agent contacts you or your employer, you need to contact a federal defense lawyer. While federal agents may use a range of approaches,…
No, Miranda does not apply to all federal law enforcement interviews; it applies only when an interview or interaction falls within the definition of a “custodial interrogation.” The conditions that generally trigger the requirement…
What to Look for in a Federal Defense AttorneyIf you have any doubts at all, check your potential federal defense attorney’s credentials and experience yourself. This is very easy and straightforward: Ask the attorney…
1. Do Not Volunteer Information If an FBI agent reaches out to you and asks to have a “voluntary” interview, you can tell the agent that you are not willing to participate unless you…
What Promises Can Federal Prosecutors Actually Make?Federal Criminal Rule 11(c)(1)(A) allows federal prosecutors to promise to dismiss all pending charges or forgo any additional charges in exchange for a defendant’s guilty plea. It also…
What Is a Superseding Indictment?A superseding indictment is an indictment that replaces the earlier indictment as the operative charging document. To secure a superseding indictment, the federal prosecutors involved must present their evidence and…
What Happens After a Federal Indictment?Rule 9. Arrest, Summons, Bail or Bond.A federal indictment is far more than just a formal accusation. It is a very formal document that lists the defendant’s alleged offenses…
The federal government is not generally required to notify individuals when they are under investigation. Instead, the authorities conduct their investigations in secret. Federal law enforcement agents have ample time to collect evidence. A…