Five Things to Do (and Not Do) if Federal Agents Contact You
If an agent from the FBI, DEA, ATF, TBI, GBI, HSI, IRS, Secret Service, or any other law enforcement agency knocks on your door or calls you, your next 60 seconds will likely determine the next 10 years of your life.
1. Stay Calm and Remain Silent. You have a 5th Amendment right to remain silent. Use it. You do not have to explain your side of the story, and you should not try to "clear things up." You will only make it worse. Anything you say can—and will—be used to indict you.
2. Do Not Consent to a Search. Unless the agents have a signed search warrant, they generally cannot enter your home or office, and they damn sure can't snoop through your phone. If they claim to have a warrant, ask to see it, but do not physically interfere. If they don't have one, politely state: "I do not consent to a search of my property."
3. Ask if You are "Being Detained." Ask the agent: "Am I free to leave?" If the answer is yes, walk away. If the answer is no, reiterate that you wish to remain silent and want to speak to your attorney.
4. Never Lie to a Federal Agent. Lying to a federal agent is a separate crime (18 U.S.C. § 1001), often easier to prove than the actual crime under investigation. If you aren't going to tell the truth, it is legally safer to say nothing at all. And if a federal agent is talking to you, they already know a lot more than you think they do, and they will know if you're lying. But remember: it's best just to say nothing at all.
5. Call a Federal Defense Attorney Immediately. The federal government has unlimited resources and a head start. You need a buffer between you and the investigators. Do not call the family lawyer, a "general" practitioner, or even someone who does only state defense--you need someone who has been handling U.S. District Court cases for many years—ideally someone who has been both a federal prosecutor and a federal defense attorney.
Don’t Wait for a Grand Jury Subpoena. If you’ve been contacted, the investigation is already moving.
Call or Text my mobile 24/7: (423) 255-7642 Confidential. No-cost initial consultation.
If an agent from the FBI, DEA, ATF, TBI, GBI, HSI, IRS, Secret Service, or any other law enforcement agency knocks on your door or calls you, your next 60 seconds will likely determine the next 10 years of your life.
1. Stay Calm and Remain Silent. You have a 5th Amendment right to remain silent. Use it. You do not have to explain your side of the story, and you should not try to "clear things up." You will only make it worse. Anything you say can—and will—be used to indict you.
2. Do Not Consent to a Search. Unless the agents have a signed search warrant, they generally cannot enter your home or office, and they damn sure can't snoop through your phone. If they claim to have a warrant, ask to see it, but do not physically interfere. If they don't have one, politely state: "I do not consent to a search of my property."
3. Ask if You are "Being Detained." Ask the agent: "Am I free to leave?" If the answer is yes, walk away. If the answer is no, reiterate that you wish to remain silent and want to speak to your attorney.
4. Never Lie to a Federal Agent. Lying to a federal agent is a separate crime (18 U.S.C. § 1001), often easier to prove than the actual crime under investigation. If you aren't going to tell the truth, it is legally safer to say nothing at all. And if a federal agent is talking to you, they already know a lot more than you think they do, and they will know if you're lying. But remember: it's best just to say nothing at all.
5. Call a Federal Defense Attorney Immediately. The federal government has unlimited resources and a head start. You need a buffer between you and the investigators. Do not call the family lawyer, a "general" practitioner, or even someone who does only state defense--you need someone who has been handling U.S. District Court cases for many years—ideally someone who has been both a federal prosecutor and a federal defense attorney.
Don’t Wait for a Grand Jury Subpoena. If you’ve been contacted, the investigation is already moving.
Call or Text my mobile 24/7: (423) 255-7642 Confidential. No-cost initial consultation.