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Before an individual can be indicted for a federal crime in Florida, a criminal investigation must be conducted. If a credible allegation of a crime is reported, a federal law enforcement agency can launch an official investigation. You may be wondering what to do if you’re under a federal financial crime investigation in Florida. Whether you’ve been accused of money laundering in Miami or wire fraud in Fort Lauderdale, the Miami financial crime lawyer en Bufete de Ramón de la Cabada is here to fight for you.
Common Federal Financial Crimes You Could Be Investigated for in Florida
Federal financial crimes are some of the most serious charges an individual can face in Florida. These crimes typically involve some form of deceit for personal or financial gain. These crimes often cross state or federal lines and can involve federally regulated institutions such as banks. For these reasons, these cases tend to fall under federal jurisdiction and may involve several federal agencies, such as the FBI or the IRS. En Florida, the most common federal financial crimes include the following:
- Wire fraud
- Blanqueo de dinero, which affects nearly $300 billion nationwide every year
- Tax evasion
- PPP loan fraud
- Securities fraud
- Fraude hipotecario
- Mail fraud
- Bank fraud
- Identity theft, which is reported at a rate of around 5.7 million cases a year
What to Do If You Are Being Investigated
Financial crime cases are typically investigated by agencies such as the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Secret Service, the IRS Criminal Investigation Division, and the FBI, and are prosecuted through the U.S. Attorney’s Office. If you find yourself under investigation, or simply the threat of possible investigation, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself against a federal financial crime charge. These steps include the following:
- Retain a lawyer. If you find yourself the target of a federal financial crime, then the first step you need to take is seeking the early intervention of a Miami federal criminal lawyer. Once you have hired an attorney, they can begin to develop a defense strategy on your behalf. Typically, individuals who retain a lawyer early in the investigation achieve better outcomes than those who wait to retain counsel.
- Remain silent. Second, it is crucial that you exercise your right to remain silent and do not speak with law enforcement personnel until your attorney is present. Do not try to handle the situation on your own, as anything you say can and will be used against you. Wait and answer any questions from enforcement personnel until your attorney is there to guide you.
- Don’t destroy evidence. Do not, under any circumstances, try to destroy evidence in a federal investigation. This is considered a crime, and you could face additional penalties and charges for altering any records or evidence or destroying any documentation pertinent to the case.
- Do not ignore a subpoena. If you receive a subpoena calling you to turn over certain documentation or devices, such as a laptop or phone, to law enforcement, you must do as the subpoena says. A subpoena is an official court order, and if you fail to comply, it may only make your charges more severe.
If you find yourself under federal investigation for a financial crime, you need to reach out to the Law Office of Ramon de la Cabada. It is understandable that you may be feeling uncertain about what steps to take next. Ramón de la Cabada is here to protect you from the beginning.
About the Law Office of Ramon de la Cabada
For over 34 years, Miami abogado de defensa criminal Ramon de la Cabada has been working in both the Florida state and federal legal systems. Fluent in Spanish, he is here to help those from all walks of life who are under investigation or fear investigation. As a former prosecutor, he knows how the legal system works and can use that knowledge to his clients’ advantage. He has years of experience handling federal-level cases, particularly in financial matters.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo puedo protegerme durante una investigación federal?
Si cree que está siendo investigado por las autoridades federales, hay ciertas medidas que puede tomar para protegerse. En primer lugar, es fundamental que conozca sus derechos. Entre ellos se incluyen el de ser considerado inocente hasta que se demuestre lo contrario y el de permanecer en silencio cuando le interroguen las fuerzas del orden. También es recomendable que elija un abogado con experiencia en asuntos federales.
¿Cuáles son las posibles consecuencias colaterales de una condena federal?
Being federally convicted can carry consequences beyond those of a legal standing. You could suffer damage to your reputation, lose your professional licenses, face consequences regarding any pending immigration, and lose out on several types of employment. In fact, individuals with a criminal record face a 30% unemployment rate across the U.S.
¿Qué factores influyen en la sentencia en un caso federal por delito financiero?
En un caso penal financiero federal, hay varios factores diferentes que pueden influir en su sentencia en caso de que sea declarado culpable. Estos factores incluyen el monto de la pérdida financiera sufrida por las presuntas víctimas, el número de víctimas afectadas, si se utilizaron o no medios sofisticados, si tiene antecedentes penales y si desempeñó o no un papel de liderazgo en el presunto delito.
¿Debo consentir una búsqueda en una investigación federal?
De acuerdo con la Cuarta Enmienda, usted tiene derecho a mantener toda su propiedad personal privada frente a cualquier registro realizado por personal policial, a menos que la policía haya obtenido una orden de registro para su propiedad o usted haya dado su consentimiento para dicho registro. Una vez que haya dado su consentimiento, no puede retirarlo. Recuerde que negarse a dar su consentimiento no es una admisión de culpabilidad, y es aconsejable escuchar el consejo de su abogado en esta situación.
Hire a Federal Financial Crime Lawyer
It is common for individuals under federal criminal investigation to feel uncertain and not know where to turn. If you find yourself in this serious predicament, the first thing you need to do is hire a federal financial crime lawyer you can trust and who can protect your rights. At the Law Office of Ramon de la Cabada, our team is here to provide you with legal counsel and representation you can count on. Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation.
