Received a federal target letter, grand jury subpoena, search warrant, or request to speak with the FBI or another federal agency?
Do not assume you need to speak with investigators before speaking with a lawyer.
Fast Law represents individuals, executives, professionals, and businesses during federal investigations before charges are filed.
Our attorneys include former state and federal prosecutors who understand how investigations develop and what can be done before a charging decision is made.
Please provide only the basic information needed for the Firm to evaluate your inquiry and complete a conflicts check. Do not submit sensitive, privileged, or detailed information until the Firm confirms that it can speak with you.
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Many people wait until they are indicted before hiring criminal defense counsel.
That can be a mistake.
The period before charges are filed may create opportunities that no longer exist after indictment.
Counsel may be able to determine the client’s status, understand the scope of an investigation, communicate with prosecutors, preserve favorable evidence, respond strategically to subpoenas, address privilege issues, investigate allegations, and advocate against charges where appropriate.
No attorney can promise that an investigation will end without charges.
Fast Law has, however, represented individuals and businesses in federal investigations that concluded without criminal charges.
The Firm represented a business owner who received a federal target letter concerning alleged money laundering.
Following defense investigation and advocacy, the matter concluded without charges being filed.
Fast Law served as co-counsel to a cybersecurity company in an investigation involving alleged Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations.
Following coordinated advocacy, the matter concluded without criminal charges or civil enforcement action.
Fast Law represented a company during an 18-month federal investigation involving alleged OFAC violations.
The investigation concluded without criminal charges or civil sanctions against the corporate client.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every investigation depends on its own facts and circumstances.
A target letter may indicate that prosecutors believe substantial evidence connects you to a crime and that you are a target of a federal grand jury investigation.
A subpoena may demand records, electronic information, documents, or testimony.
Agents may request an interview at your home, workplace, or by telephone.
If federal agents execute a search warrant at a home or business, the investigation is already significant.
Companies and executives sometimes learn of an investigation because employees, customers, business partners, or others have been contacted.
Some matters involve parallel criminal and regulatory scrutiny.
A search warrant does not necessarily mean an indictment is inevitable.
It does mean prosecutors persuaded a federal judge that probable cause existed to authorize a search.
Defense counsel can:
Do not destroy, alter, conceal, or delete records after learning of a federal investigation.
A witness may possess information relevant to an investigation without necessarily being suspected of criminal conduct.
A subject is generally someone whose conduct falls within the scope of a grand jury investigation.
A target is generally someone prosecutors believe has substantial evidence linking that person to a crime and whom prosecutors may seek to charge.
These classifications can change as an investigation develops.
Do not assume that because you believe you did nothing wrong, an interview can only help.
Investigators may already possess documents, recordings, witness accounts, or other information you have not seen.
Statements to federal agents can also create separate legal issues if investigators later contend that an answer was knowingly false.
You generally have the right to speak with counsel before deciding whether an interview is appropriate.
Counsel may need to evaluate:
In some investigations, defense counsel may determine that it is appropriate to present information to prosecutors before a charging decision.
That decision is highly case-specific.
Effective advocacy can involve factual investigation, documents, witnesses, legal arguments, expert analysis, or other information the government may not yet possess.
The objective is not merely to tell prosecutors that the client disagrees. The defense should identify concrete facts or legal issues that materially affect the charging decision.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The same lawyers handling the investigation should be capable of continuing the case if prosecutors ultimately file charges.
“Very professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated. Handled my case with care and delivered great results. Highly recommend.”
“Mr. Perkins picked up my case, talked everything through, and got my case dismissed.”
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Elena Fast is a former Brooklyn felony prosecutor and experienced criminal trial lawyer who has handled more than 25 matters to verdict as lead counsel. Her practice includes serious federal investigations, prosecutions, trials, sentencing proceedings, appeals, and post-conviction matters.
Lawrence Gerzog is a former federal prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York whose practice includes serious federal criminal defense, trials, appeals, and complex litigation.
Michael Perkins represents clients in serious federal and New York criminal matters and has substantial courtroom and trial experience.
Contact experienced federal criminal defense counsel promptly and avoid contacting prosecutors or agents yourself before obtaining legal advice.
The terms generally reflect different levels of investigative focus. Status can change as an investigation develops.
You generally do not have to agree to a voluntary interview simply because agents request one. Consult counsel before deciding how to respond.
A subpoena generally cannot simply be ignored. Counsel can review the subpoena’s scope, deadlines, privilege issues, legal obligations, and potential exposure.
Do not interfere with agents, do not destroy or alter evidence, and contact federal defense counsel as soon as possible.
Sometimes investigations conclude without charges, and defense advocacy can matter before a charging decision. No attorney can guarantee that result.
Generally, no. Waiting can eliminate opportunities to preserve evidence, investigate early, communicate with prosecutors, respond strategically to subpoenas, or engage in pre-charge advocacy.
A target letter, subpoena, FBI visit, or search warrant is not something to handle casually.
The decisions made before an indictment can affect everything that follows.
Call Fast Law or request a consultation.
(212) 729-9494Please provide only the basic information needed for the Firm to evaluate your inquiry and complete a conflicts check. Do not submit sensitive, privileged, or detailed information until the Firm confirms that it can speak with you.