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What Should You Do If You’re Under Investigation For A White Collar Crime?

March 21, 2024 Uncategorized

Being investigated for a white-collar crime can be a very stressful experience, but you need to take action as soon as possible. You cannot fight your case in any way unless you’re willing to do what you need to do in order to fight your case. It’s important to follow this protocol when facing investigation for a white-collar crime.

Find a lawyer

Legal counsel shouldn’t be considered optional when it comes to an investigation. Hiring a lawyer at the time of arrest means that you’ll have to do extensive catching up, which can make it more difficult to win your case. Your lawyer should be someone who is more than competent and knowledgeable of this area of the law. They should have a record of successful cases that speaks to their competence in this particular arena. If you have a lawyer on retainer for your business, they can be very useful as you work through your investigation.

Go over your case

Just knowing that you’re under investigation isn’t enough. Team up with your lawyer to research the case that the government is trying to bring against you. Your lawyer will be responsible for handling the various legal minutiae, but you still need to give them the information that helps them to prepare this. Don’t worry about saying anything incriminating to them in private conversation, as attorney-client privilege will protect you from it being exposed and used against you.

Get in touch with the government

Sometimes, it can be unclear whether or not you’re under investigation. Factors that make it obvious include a request to speak to you regarding a pending case or inquiries into business records. When you have a lawyer, they should handle any discussions with the government about your case. The government might be asking questions, but that doesn’t mean you and your lawyer can’t bring up questions of your own. You deserve to know as much about your case as possible.

What to do when associates are being investigated

Just because you haven’t been named in an investigation doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. If colleagues or others that you’re closely connected to (be they personal or professional relationships) are being investigated and you reasonably believe that you’re next in line, you need to get in touch with your lawyer and decide on the next course of action. Your lawyer will need to know as much about the case as possible to help you make your decision. They might advise you to get in touch with the government or to just continue preparing your case in the event that they contact you. Every scenario is unique, and your lawyer needs time to think.

Gathering intelligence

For you to have a chance at success with your case, you need to have any information that will be useful readily available. A claim of fraud can be best refuted by having extensive financial records. Even if you’re not under investigation, you should have your most important files in a secure location, like in a password-protected folder. Information can also be collected by others named in the investigation. Be careful with how you do this, and be sure to only ask questions, rather than instructing them what to do. Attempts to prevent someone from testifying could be considered obstruction of justice and get you in further legal trouble.

What to say

The best thing to say when facing investigation for a white-collar crime is nothing at all. The only person you should discuss the case with is your lawyer. Sharing of information (including being investigated) with others could make them liable for interrogation and throw further complications into your case. You need to keep your profile low while you work on gathering information that will help you with your case. There might be a temptation to announce what’s happening to everyone you know, but it’s in your best interest to follow your lawyer’s advice and only speak if you absolutely need to.

You can’t will away a white-collar crime investigation. Paying close attention to any developments and following the advice of your legal counsel will help you in your quest to justice. Even if you do end up facing charges, your preparedness during the time of investigation will be a tremendous asset.

There are many types of crimes. One type of crime is what is known as white collar crime. White collar crimes are generally crimes that are not violent. They generally involve some form of financial issue. Common versions of white collar crimes include embezzlement, bribery, computer fraud, counterfeiting, money laundering and many forms of identity theft. For many people employed in white collar professions, the very prospect of being accused of a white collar crime may be terrifying. One second you’re at work. The next, there may be law enforcement officials at your door. If you’re facing any kind of investigation for a white collar crime, take a deep breath first. Remember, you have rights under the law. You’ll want to avoid panicking and make sure that you have what it takes to fight any charges. Responding quickly and understanding what is likely to happen going forward can help you avoid any further problems and nip this one in the bud.

Be Proactive

Any accusation of criminal behavior can feel like the end of the world. However, it’s best to be as proactive as possible and think about what you need to do next. The first thing to do is make sure you have the best possible legal representation. A lawyer can help immediately. They should be the first call you make. They will make sure that your legal needs are attended to from the very start. When it comes to picking a lawyer, you might know someone in the legal field. It’s best to stick closely with a specialist. A specialist in white collar crimes can offer special help that a lawyer who works with other types of cases may not be able to provide.

Look for someone with a long history of success in defending people against these kinds of charges. Such charges can be highly complicated. Someone with a background in the field may bring in a specific understanding of matters that can otherwise be highly complicated and very technical. For example, if you are accused of a crime that deals with recent technological developments, they can bring in the legal background and the understanding you really need.

Develop a Plan

Your lawyer can help you develop a plan to fight these kinds of charges. A lawyer can help you know what’s going on even though it may not be readily apparent aft first glance. For example, if you are accused of a white collar crime, you might be one of many people who are being accused of participating in the same crime. They may accuse you and your co-workers as well as your boss of having participated in this kind of criminal activity. Your lawyer can help you know what’s going on. They can get in touch with other lawyers to determine the kinds of charges that everyone accused in facing and what is likely to happen next.

This form of accusation is typically handled by federal authorities but local officials may also be involved. Legal counsel can reach out to every government official involved and figure out what evidence they might have against you. If others involved who are part of your organization, they may have also hired legal council. Working closely with other lawyers can help you and the others in the organization craft a defense that serves everyone’s best interest. Sharing interests can also help you determine how best to respond.

Let The Lawyer Do Your Talking

It may be tempting to immediately speak to the investigators. This is the wrong course of action. The last thing you want to do is start speaking to someone from the government. You have to trust the lawyer. They will protect your interests from the very first. A government official may take everything you say and later use it against you. You need to watch your words carefully. The lawyer can be at your side and make sure all laws that pertain to any issues in your case are followed to the letter. They can and will be your mouthpiece. Trust them and let them help you get through this process and out the other end with proper legal representation.

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Todd Spodek

Founding Partner

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RALPH P. FRANCHO, JR

Associate

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JEREMY FEIGENBAUM

Associate Attorney

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ELIZABETH GARVEY

Associate

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CLAIRE BANKS

Associate

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RAJESH BARUA

Of-Counsel

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CHAD LEWIN

Of-Counsel

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