Federal Investigations Lawyer in NJ

Federal Criminal Investigations

As a federal criminal investigation witness, the biggest concern is ensuring the spotlight does not turn onto you. The Law Offices of Peter Katz, with offices in New York and New Jersey, was founded after serving as a federal criminal prosecutor. With more than 30 years of experience in the criminal court system, I advise clients throughout New York and New Jersey with respect to their rights as a witness during a criminal investigation.

Reasons a Federal Investigator Contacts You

Several investigatory agencies examine federal criminal activity. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is one of the most well-known. Still, any of the investigative agents could ask to talk to you depending on the facts and circumstances of their investigation and what they are investigating. There are several reasons a federal agent might want to talk to you, including:

• You are a potential witness who has relevant information
• As a person of interest in their investigation, but they don’t have enough evidence to charge you
• You are a key subject in a case they are investigating, and your prior actions bring you within the scope of a grand jury inquiry that could lead to an indictment
• If you are a target of their investigation, and there is enough evidence linking you to a crime

If there is a warrant out for your arrest, the agents will also want to talk to you, and you will already know that you are a target of the investigation. In addition, according to the federal criminal court procedures, you will also know that they have enough evidence against you to meet the threshold of probable cause to have an indictment or a warrant already.

What Does it Mean to Be a Witness?

When investigators believe that you might be a witness in their investigation, it usually means that you might have information that could prove the guilt or innocence of a person or company that they believe is involved in something suspicious. You have the right to remain silent even if you are just a witness.

You also have the right to have an attorney present during any questions or interviews. If you do choose to speak with investigators, it is important to remember that anything you say could potentially be used against you. For this reason, it is always a good idea to exercise your right to have an attorney present during any sort of interview. You also have the right to refuse an interview. However, if you are served with a subpoena, you must appear in court or before a grand jury to answer questions.

Obstruction of Justice

While you do not have to speak to federal investigators, if they believe you have information and refuse to cooperate with their investigation, they can charge you with obstruction of justice. In addition, if you choose to talk to investigators during an investigation and they believe that you are not being truthful or that you’ve provided misleading information, you could also be charged with making a false statement to an investigator. You should speak with an experienced federal criminal defense attorney if you have any concerns.

Involved in an Investigation? Contact Our Defense Attorney

If you have concerns that you are somehow involved in a criminal federal investigation, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help protect your rights. We offer free, confidential initial consultation appointments. To schedule your free appointment, call our office at 609-734-4380 or email us through my online form.