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What Happens If You Receive a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena?
What Happens If You Receive a Federal Grand Jury Subpoena?
If you’ve been served with a federal grand jury subpoena, you’re likely scared and overwhelmed. We get it. You have questions: What’s going to happen next? Are you in trouble? Can you refuse to comply? Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, know that our criminal defense attorneys can help you.
What is a Federal Grand Jury Subpeona?
A federal grand jury subpoena is a legal document compelling you to provide testimony or produce evidence in a grand jury proceeding. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ) guidelines, a grand jury has wide latitude in investigating potential federal crimes, such as white collar offenses, drug conspiracies, fraud, or other serious allegations. When you receive a subpoena, it means the federal government believes you have information relevant to an ongoing investigation—or that you might be the target of the investigation itself.
Potential Crimes and Penalties
If you ignore a federal grand jury subpoena, you can face severe legal consequences. Here are a few possibilities:
- Criminal Contempt: Under 18 U.S. Code § 401, courts have broad power to punish for contempt, which could result in fines or jail time.
- Obstruction of Justice: If prosecutors believe you’re purposefully interfering with their investigation, you could be charged with obstruction. This crime can carry lengthy prison sentences and significant fines.
- Perjury: If you do comply but provide false testimony, you can face perjury charges under 18 U.S. Code § 1621. This typically means up to five years in federal prison and hefty fines.
Federal prosecutors are highly experienced and have extensive resources to build cases against individuals. The government can cross-reference documents, digital records, financial statements, and witness testimony to create a roadmap of evidence against you. Regardless of the stage of the case, we can help you.
What Happens Next?
- Compliance: You either appear before the grand jury to testify, or you produce the requested documents and records.
- Legal Counsel: This is where our attorneys come in. We fight to protect your constitutional rights, assess if the subpoena is valid, and advise you on the potential risks.
- Testimony or Document Review: The grand jury will review your testimony and/or the documents. If the prosecutor deems the info insufficient or contradictory, you could face further scrutiny.
- Possible Indictment: After hearing all the evidence, the grand jury may issue an indictment if it believes there is probable cause to charge you with a crime.
How Spodek Law Group Defends You
We are a premier, and award winning, New York / Federal criminal defense law firm with over 50 years of combined experience handling tough cases nationwide. We can help you by:
- Examining the Scope of the Subpoena: We analyze whether the subpoena is overly broad or violates your rights.
- Negotiating with Federal Prosecutors: Our legal team can communicate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to clarify the scope, reduce the burden of compliance, or negotiate immunity if appropriate.
- Protecting Your Fifth Amendment Rights: You have the right against self-incrimination. We help you understand when to invoke it, ensuring your statements aren’t used against you.
- Building Your Defense Strategy: If you’re the target of the grand jury investigation, we start building a robust defense immediately. This includes speaking to witnesses, reviewing your documents, and strategizing about potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
TOP RATED ATTORNEYS WHO CAN HELP
EXPERIENCED
Our attorneys have years of experience handling federal subpoenas, target letters, and complex investigations. We’ve been featured on major news outlets for legal insights—meaning we get it when it comes to high-stakes federal matters.
DEDICATED
We understand your future is on the line. We can help you 24/7, because federal cases move fast, and you need to move faster.
RESULTS DRIVEN
Our priority is to get the case against you dismissed, or significantly diminished. Whether it’s negotiating with prosecutors or going to trial, we fight passionately for your best outcome.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IMMEDIATELY
- Contact an Attorney: The moment you receive a federal subpoena, speak to a criminal defense lawyer before you respond.
- Preserve All Documents: Do not destroy or alter any evidence. Such actions could result in obstruction of justice charges.
- Stay Silent about the Case: Keep details off social media and avoid discussing the subpoena with anyone other than your attorney.
REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION, WE CAN HELP YOU
Our team has deep experience handling state and federal investigations. We’re recognized as top rated for a reason: We listen to your fears, your goals, and your concerns. Then, we protect you at every single step of the process.
SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY
We are available 24/7 to provide a risk free consultation. Don’t wait for the federal government to knock again. Reach out now.
FURTHER INFORMATION
You can learn more about the grand jury process at the official United States Courts website or explore the Justice Manual for details on how the DOJ handles criminal resource matters.
We can help you.
Please remember: We believe every client deserves honesty and service. If you have questions about your specific situation, we encourage you to contact our office immediately.
DISCLAIMER
No recipient of content from this article, client or otherwise, should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content included without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice from an attorney licensed in your state. The information here is general, may not reflect current legal developments, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. We do not necessarily endorse, and are not responsible for, any third-party content accessed through the included links. If you need personalized legal help, we can help you—contact us today.