If you’ve landed in legal trouble and are accused of a business crime, you’re probably (and understandably) feeling nervous about what to expect. Business crime investigations can feel overwhelming, leaving you unsure of what the police investigation process looks like, what will be asked of you, and when you should contact a defense attorney.
Nobody wants to end up in this situation, but sometimes, things can happen that you’re unable to control or are simply unaware of. Now it’s time to focus on what you do have control of: how to move forward from here. This guide should help you to understand exactly what business crime investigations look like, so you know exactly what to expect.
How Investigations Usually Start
You’ll usually learn that your business is under investigation when you receive a formal notice or a request for documents from the police or another official body. In the worst case scenario, you might even have a search warrant turning up at your door. At this stage, investigators will be working to determine whether they need to build a full case against you.
You’ll be required to give them access to anything they want to investigate, including your emails, financial statements, internal chats, and other data. They’ll probably also want to have a word with your employees and/or business partners, depending on the crime they’re investigating. This can feel pretty violating, but you’ll need to focus on staying calm, so you can respond clearly and avoid creating unnecessary drama.
Cooperating While Protecting Your Rights
You should definitely cooperate with investigators, but you also need to look out for yourself and your business. That means answering their questions honestly, but not offering up information they haven’t actually asked for.
Before you hand over any documents or make statements, it’s smart to chat with a defence attorney from a reputable company, like the Texas Criminal Defense Group, who knows their way around business crime investigations. They can help you understand what you should share, and how to avoid accidentally admitting to something that could come back to bite you later.
Getting a defence attorney involved early in the investigation can make a massive difference to how things pan out.
A lawyer can deal with regulators and law enforcement on your behalf, which will take the stress off your shoulders and let you focus on actually running your business. They’ll also make sure your rights are protected and help you prepare for questions you might be asked during interviews, making them absolutely worth the investment.
Moving Forward
Business crime investigations can feel terrifying, but they usually don’t mean the end for your company. You can absolutely bounce back from a business crime accusation. Just make sure to cooperate with the authorities and seek legal guidance as soon as possible..
You should find that focusing on what you can actually control (namely your communication, documentation, and legal support) can help you stay calm and reduce your risk as the investigation moves forward.
