Federal prosecutors have a unique tool at their disposal for gathering evidence from both witnesses and suspects. It’s called a grand jury.
Unfortunately, if you’ve received a subpoena to testify, you may not know if the prosecution considers you merely a witness or a suspect. Grand juries have a degree of latitude that isn’t available in regular court cases. Saying the wrong thing on the witness stand while under the impression you aren’t a target in the case could be a big mistake.
By the same token, you can’t simply ignore your legal obligation to respond to the summons. Refusing to testify will likely land you in jail on a contempt charge. Lying will get you jailed for perjury. Telling the whole truth may not be in your best interests, either. The smart thing to do is discuss your situation with an experienced federal defense attorney as soon as possible.
It’s important to understand that federal grand juries operate differently than state grand juries. Finding an attorney who has both experience in this area and a successful track record is important. Our office has been handling federal investigations successfully for our clients for years, whether they’re the target of a health care fraud investigation or some other type of white-collar legal issue.
Find out more about our history of success by reviewing our site or contact us directly to discuss your case. You need to take a proactive and strategic approach to your required testimony in order to know when you should answer the prosecution’s questions and when you should assert your Constitutional rights against self-incrimination.
