Criminal Defense Lawyers

What Happens If You Ignore or Refuse a Civil Investigative Demand?

CIVIL INVESTIGATIVE DEMAND

A Civil Investigative Demand that was served by a government agency can feel like a shot out of the blue. You might be home, enjoying your day, when you get papers that demand documents, testimony, or answers to pointed questions. At first, it can feel confusing or even unfair. Many people wonder: “What happens if I just ignore this demand—or flat-out refuse?”

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We’re led by Todd Spodek, who is a second-generation attorney with years of experience handling difficult federal cases. Our mission is simple: keep you safe and guide you through legal challenges without letting fear paralyze your decisions. If you got a CID, we can help through this process.

IGNORE A CIVIL INVESTIGATIVE DEMAND – THEN WHAT?

A Civil Investigative Demand that was issued by agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) is not something you can just ignore. This document, which often demands information about your business or personal finances, is a tool that lets the government collect evidence. If you ignore this demand, you run the risk of serious trouble. That means you could face steep penalties, including large monetary fines that strain your finances, or even a court order forcing you to comply whether you like it or not.

Why is this so serious? Because ignoring an official demand makes you look uncooperative or worse, like you might be hiding something from the government, and/or federal agencies. That pushes investigators to dig deeper, and it can trigger a more aggressive investigation—resulting in higher stakes and possible allegations of obstructing an investigation. When investigators think you’re not cooperating, they can ramp up pressure, and that often leads to bigger problems.

CONSEQUENCES: FINES AND PUNISHMENT

Refusing to comply with a Civil Investigative Demand could get you cited for contempt of court, which can bring fines that must be paid immediately. It can even involve potential criminal charges, because the government might view your refusal as interference with a federal process. That puts you in a position that leads to criminal liability, meaning time in court, legal battles, and the possibility of a criminal record.

Remember: Evidence that was lawfully requested by the government doesn’t just disappear if you ignore their letters. The agency can file motions in federal court to enforce the demand, which drives up your legal costs and drags you into a much bigger conflict. That conflict drains your energy, your bank account, and your peace of mind.

OUR PHILOSOPHY: YOU DESERVE STRAIGHT TALK

We won’t sugarcoat the truth. If you’re thinking of dodging a Civil Investigative Demand, that is a shortsighted decision that could unravel your entire case strategy later. We care about your future, and we want to keep you protected. Our team, which has over 50 years of combined experience, understands how these investigations work and how to craft a defense that stands up in front of federal judges.

This is also where we give you tough love: ignoring legal demands does nothing but back you into a corner. You might try telling yourself it’s no big deal, or that the government is making a mistake. But if you refuse to engage, that problem grows until you have zero leverage.

REFUSING THE DEMAND: POSSIBLE CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCES

A refusal to produce documents that were requested can escalate the situation. Once you refuse, the agency can ask the court to compel compliance. If you still refuse, you risk contempt charges. Contempt that was found by a judge can lead to fines or even jail time. That means your future is at risk, your finances might be wrecked, and your reputation could take a huge hit.

It’s easy to say, “This is unfair,” or “They have no right to ask for my papers.” But fairness arguments alone don’t carry weight if you fail to show up. The legal system measures your response (or lack of it), and it judges you harshly if you simply pretend the demand doesn’t exist.

INSTEAD OF IGNORING: TALK TO US ABOUT DEFENSE STRATEGIES

We are Spodek Law Group, a premier and top rated federal defense law firm. We can help you develop a plan that either narrows the scope of the Civil Investigative Demand or challenges it on legitimate legal grounds. We understand how to negotiate with agencies, show good faith, and protect the information that matters most.

If investigators asked for business records that were never relevant to their case, we’ll question the scope. If they requested personal files that were improperly obtained, we’ll argue they should be excluded. Evidence that was illegally obtained can be thrown out, which often forces the government to reduce the demands they’re making.

When evidence is thrown out, that significantly weakens the government’s leverage in court. We can use that weakness to get better outcomes for you, like dismissals or reduced charges. Our team focuses on legal angles that put you back in control of the conversation.

THINK AHEAD: “WHAT’S MY BEST MOVE?”

Ignoring a Civil Investigative Demand is a sure way to lose your voice in the process. If you leave everything up to the government, they’ll build the story they want to present. That puts you on defense, not offense. Instead, we want to establish a proactive approach where we engage early, set boundaries, and maintain your rights.

When you cooperate—while still demanding fairness and clarifying the scope—investigators may scale back their requests or accept certain limitations. That helps you preserve your time, your money, and your mental energy. It also shows the court that you’re not the villain the government might claim you are.

This is leverage that you can’t get if you automatically ignore the demand. Every decision you make should serve your long-term interests, not feed into short-term fear. The bravado of “I won’t answer them!” typically crumbles once subpoenas and court orders come knocking.

HOW SPODEK LAW GROUP WOULD DEFEND YOU

INITIAL CONSULTATION
We begin by dissecting the Civil Investigative Demand. We look at the exact wording, the alleged violations, and the deadlines. We figure out if the request is too broad or if there’s a legitimate legal reason to object.

LEGAL MOTIONS
If you have grounds to challenge the demand, we file motions in court. For example, we might argue that certain documents that were requested are protected by privilege, or that the demand is unreasonable and violates your rights.

NEGOTIATIONS
While motions are pending, our attorneys communicate with the investigating agency. We work to find a narrower scope or a compromise that respects your privacy and spares you from disclosing everything under the sun.

COURT APPEARANCES
If a judge wants to see arguments in person, our attorneys present a clear and confident defense. We show that you are prepared, that you know your rights, and that you are not stonewalling for no reason.

ONGOING STRATEGY
Once the investigation wraps up, we stand by you for any next steps—whether that means defending you in a full-blown case or confirming that all demands have been satisfied.

DON’T LET FEAR GUIDE YOUR DECISION

If you’re unsure about how to handle a Civil Investigative Demand, fear can make you freeze up. That leads to a default response—silence—that only benefits the people investigating you. You deserve better than that. You deserve to be heard and to be guided by professionals who know how the system works.

We’ll be real with you: fighting alone is a mistake. Government agencies that were given the authority to issue these demands are skilled at cornering unprepared targets. That is a scenario that can lead you to crippling fines, shattered confidence, and possibly even criminal proceedings. We don’t want that for you. You shouldn’t want it, either.

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