Learning that one is the target of a federal investigation tends to make people very nervous. Even those who feel confident that they did not knowingly break the law recognize that they may have unintentionally done so. There are many federal statutes that people are unaware of and can break without realizing what they have done. There are also a variety of circumstances in which it might appear like someone has broken the law.
Those who know that federal investigators have communicated with their acquaintances, scrutinized their business activities or reviewed their travel history are often eager to exonerate themselves. In their attempts to cooperate and prove that they are not criminals, they may unintentionally give federal investigators reason to bring charges against them.
Mistakes and omissions can lead to charges
When federal investigators want to have a sit-down conversation, the people subject to that conversation are at risk. What they say to investigators might lead to federal criminal charges.
In some cases, people subject to questioning by federal investigators become confused and contradict themselves. Other times, they may remember information inaccurately and provide the wrong information to prosecutors. They could also potentially state that they don’t remember as a way of avoiding self-implication, only to put themselves at risk of prosecution.
Federal regulations make it illegal to lie to investigators. Small errors and claims that an individual lacks knowledge can be sufficient reason for federal authorities to bring charges for lying to investigators. Even those who attempt to cooperate with an investigation in good faith can find themselves at risk of a criminal conviction because of what they say during the investigation.
Thankfully, those subject to federal investigation and at risk of prosecution could potentially protect themselves by securing legal advocacy. People generally have a right to have an attorney present during questioning. An attorney can advise them on when answering may compromise their position and put them at risk.
Realizing that attempts to cooperate can be as dangerous as trying to ignore an investigation could help people limit their risk of facing federal criminal charges. An attempt to cooperate with investigators can sometimes have the opposite effect when a person wants to exonerate themselves.
