Criminal Defense Lawyers

What to Do When Faced With a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena

What To Do When Faced With a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena

Getting a federal grand jury subpoena can be intimidating. You may feel anxious, confused, or unsure of what steps to take next. This guide covers key things you need to know and do if you receive a federal grand jury subpoena.

Overview of Federal Grand Juries

A federal grand jury is a group of 16 to 23 citizens that hear evidence presented by federal prosecutors to determine if there is probable cause that a crime has been committed. If the grand jury believes there is enough evidence, they will issue an indictment charging someone with a federal crime.Federal grand jury subpoenas are used to compel witness testimony or obtain documents and records during a federal criminal investigation. If you receive one, it means federal prosecutors believe you may have information or evidence relevant to an ongoing federal criminal probe.

Get Legal Representation Immediately

The first thing you should do upon receiving a federal grand jury subpoena is retain an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer. As explained on r/legaladvice, you have the right to counsel if subpoenaed, and a lawyer can help protect your rights and interests during the grand jury process.An attorney can file motions to quash or modify the subpoena if it is overly broad or seeks privileged information. They can also negotiate with prosecutors regarding the scope of testimony and documents requested.Having counsel present also avoids inadvertently sharing information that could be self-incriminating or lead to criminal exposure. As warned on Avvo, it is essential to have an attorney with federal criminal law experience guide you through the process.

Understand Your 5th Amendment Rights

The Fifth Amendment gives you the right not to provide self-incriminating testimony. This means you can invoke your Fifth Amendment privilege in response to specific questions before the grand jury you believe may implicate you in criminal activity.However, as advised on FindLaw, you generally don’t have a blanket Fifth Amendment right to refuse to comply with the subpoena at all. You need to appear and assert the privilege on a question-by-question basis. An attorney can help you navigate this.

Follow Instructions Carefully

It’s important to follow all instructions on the subpoena precisely. This usually includes appearing at the specified time and place, such as a federal courthouse or U.S. Attorney’s Office.You may need to bring the requested documents or records with you. If you fail to comply or are late, prosecutors can seek a contempt order from the supervising court, warns LawInfo. Your attorney can advise on properly responding.

Don’t Discuss the Investigation

As explained on r/legaladvice, federal grand jury proceedings are secret, and witnesses are prohibited from discussing their testimony or sharing records outside the grand jury room.So don’t talk to anyone else – even family members – about the details of the investigation, your appearance, or what questions you were asked. Be aware that conversations, emails, texts, and social media posts could potentially be monitored or subpoenaed as well.

Prepare Thoroughly with Your Attorney

Meet extensively with your lawyer ahead of time to prepare your testimony and responses. They will assess what evidence prosecutors have, what they are trying to establish, and what approach to take.As advised in this Avvo post, you should also review any documents you may need to produce and refresh your recollection of relevant events.Thorough preparation and working closely with counsel gives you the best chance of getting through federal grand jury proceedings in the best possible position.

What Happens in the Grand Jury Room?

Federal grand jury proceedings are led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys (federal prosecutors) without a judge present. As a witness, you will be brought separately into the room to give your testimony.The prosecutors will ask you questions directly, and you respond. As advised by criminal lawyers on Avvo, having your attorney present allows them to object to inappropriate questions.You can also pause the questioning to leave the room and consult your lawyer if needed. Remember you can invoke your Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions that may incriminate you.

Don’t Try to Evade Service

As tempting as it may be, don’t try to evade service of a federal grand jury subpoena, recommends r/legaladvice. Federal agents have broad authority to serve subpoenas, and dodging efforts will likely fail.It can also antagonize prosecutors and result in additional criminal charges for contempt of court or obstruction of justice, according to LawInfo. The best approach is to work with your lawyer to appropriately respond.

Getting Immunity

If prosecutors want to compel your testimony but you have valid Fifth Amendment concerns, they may offer immunity. This means nothing you truthfully tell the grand jury under the order can be used against you.However, as explained by this Quora post by a criminal attorney, it does not protect you from being prosecuted if investigators obtain evidence outside of your immunized testimony establishing your guilt.An experienced federal criminal lawyer can help assess if immunity makes sense for your situation or could still leave exposure.

Getting Transactional Immunity

The most protective form of immunity is “transactional” immunity, which provides complete immunity from prosecution for any transactions you truthfully testify about before the grand jury.However, federal prosecutors rarely offer full transactional immunity anymore, notes FindLaw. But if it is extended, it offers maximum protection, though your attorney still needs to review the immunity order carefully.

After Testifying

After you complete grand jury testimony, continue strictly avoiding discussing details of the proceedings or investigation with anyone else, warns this post on Avvo.com.Keep consulting with your lawyer, who can file any appropriate follow-up motions and assess if further testimony may be needed. They can also discuss the possibility of criminal charges being filed or not after you testify.With an experienced federal criminal defense attorney guiding you, you can appropriately respond to a federal grand jury subpoena while safeguarding your rights and interests during the investigation process.

Resources

Articles with Additional Information:

• What is a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena? – Overview from Lawyers.com
• Grand Jury Subpoenas Explained – Details at Nolo.com
• Responding to a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena – Tips from Ifrah Law Firm