It is quite common for people to try to handle the early stages of a legal controversy on their own. They might only reach out for support from an attorney when things spiral out of their control. That approach can be dangerous for a defendant.
They could implicate themselves or make other mistakes that affect their ability to defeat their pending charges. That concern is a serious consideration for those facing charges at either the state or federal level.
The federal criminal justice system can be particularly dangerous for those with limited knowledge and a lack of support. People who are subject to a federal investigation might think that cooperating with authorities could help them exonerate themselves and avoid criminal prosecution. However, small mistakes that might not have criminal implications at the state level could very easily lead to complications in a federal criminal investigation.
Inaccurate statements are grounds for prosecution
People generally understand that they cannot overtly lie to police officers or other investigators. Many people may attempt to avoid implicating themselves during a criminal investigation by claiming they don’t know the answer to certain questions or offering broad, unclear answers.
Federal investigators frequently use people’s attempts to exonerate themselves as the basis for criminal charges. Some of the highest-profile federal cases occur because of inaccurate statements made to federal prosecutors. Individuals who misrepresent their knowledge or circumstances while communicating with investigators may unknowingly provide federal authorities with grounds for their prosecution.
Any misrepresentation of fact while communicating with federal investigators can lead to criminal charges. Prosecutors can allege that a defendant lied to federal investigators. Prosecutors could also assert that there was an attempt to interfere with the federal investigation by misrepresenting the facts of the case. People can end up facing multiple federal charges for statements made during interactions with investigators that were entirely voluntary.
Those hoping to exonerate themselves during an investigation need support before they sit down with investigators. An attorney assisting a person subject to a federal investigation can help them avoid mistakes that could give federal prosecutors grounds to bring charges against them.
Learning about what separates federal criminal charges from state charges can help defendants avoid situations in which they worsen their legal situation unintentionally. Those under scrutiny who have the right support can often minimize the consequences they face and possibly even the likelihood of federal prosecution.