What to Expect When Arrested for a White-Collar Crime in Albuquerque
Sometimes people are accused of white-collar crimes they did not commit. For example, an accounting error might be grounds for a lawsuit but not necessarily rise to the level of criminal charges. It is in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in white-collar crime the minute you learn you may be a suspect. Once you have retained an attorney, they can protect your rights and serve as your official representative during the investigation. All questions and requests for information can go through your legal counsel, who will determine which requests are appropriate and which can be refused.
In the event an investigator would show up at your place of employment or your residence, do not voluntarily offer any information. Some investigators will try the “we just want to talk with you” line on alleged perpetrators to get them to incriminate themselves in a case. It is not your job to help investigators prove their case. It is your job to make sure your rights are protected. We recommend in these situations for clients to invoke their Miranda rights and refer investigators to their legal counsel.
The investigation of white-collar crimes is a notoriously slow process. It often takes months or even years for law enforcement agencies to thoroughly examine materials and collect evidence to support charges. Depending on the level of the alleged crime, multiple state and federal agencies may need to be involved with the investigation. Any time interdepartmental cooperation is required, the red tape can slow things significantly.