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When federal or state law enforcement agents start investigating your business activities, you could face significant consequences. White collar investigations in Denver could lead to criminal charges that carry lengthy prison sentences, millions of dollars in fines, asset forfeiture, and serious damage to your professional reputation.
Petrash Law understands that your white collar defense attorney would be most effective in influencing the outcome of your case during the investigation phase. These investigations often proceed for months or years before any public charges are made. Every action you take during this time could affect whether you face prosecution.
Understanding how investigations into white collar crimes in Denver start and progress could help you recognize warning signs and take appropriate action to protect yourself. These investigations typically arise from several familiar sources.
Investigations often stem from reports of wrongdoing to authorities by employees, partners, or competitors. Federal law protects and incentivizes whistleblowers who report financial crimes. Whistleblower tips provide insider information, leading to preliminary inquiries.
Civil regulatory agencies, such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, or state licensing boards, may identify potential criminal conduct during routine audits or civil enforcement actions. When regulators believe they have identified criminal violations, they refer matters to prosecutors for possible criminal investigation.
Unlike typical criminal investigations, during which arrests often occur quickly, Denver cases involving business activities frequently proceed for extended time periods before charges are filed. Recognizing that you are under investigation allows you to take protective action before investigators complete their case against you.
Prosecutors categorize individuals in three ways during investigations, including:
A white collar investigation may be in progress if you receive a grand jury subpoena, a federal law enforcement agent visits you, you learn that agents have interviewed your associates, or you experience search warrants, frozen bank accounts, or contact from regulatory agencies. If you observe any of these actions, contact Petrash Law immediately.
Knowing your constitutional rights, including the Fifth Amendment Right and the Right to Counsel, is critical to avoiding self-incrimination during investigations into financial crimes in Denver. Many people unknowingly provide incriminating evidence by not understanding their rights.
Under the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, you have the right to refuse to answer questions from investigators or testify before grand juries, even if they have not arrested you or charged you with a crime. Prosecutors cannot use the invocation of your Fifth Amendment right against you, and doing so does not imply guilt.
You also have the right to an attorney during any questioning by law enforcement or in grand jury testimony. Invoking this right stops questioning until your defense lawyer is present. They could keep you from making inadvertent admissions, protect your rights, and advise you on answering questions.
Federal white collar investigations, including those in Denver, typically involve grand juries—groups of citizens who hear evidence presented by prosecutors and determine whether sufficient probable cause exists to indict someone for criminal charges.
Grand jury proceedings are secret, and targets typically do not know what evidence prosecutors are presenting against them. While your defense lawyer cannot accompany you into the grand jury room, you can leave to consult with your attorney before giving answers.
When facing white collar investigations in Denver, immediate legal intervention could determine whether you face charges at all. Petrash Law has extensive experience representing individuals and businesses during federal and state investigations.
The firm provides the sophisticated and aggressive representation necessary to protect your rights and freedom during the critical stages of an investigation. Contact an attorney at Petrash Law as soon as possible.