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FAQ

Q: What is a federal grand jury investigation?

A federal grand jury is a panel of ordinary citizens is selected to secretly investigate criminal activity generally and issue an indictment called a "grand jury original" that initiates the criminal justice process. No judge, defendant or criminal defense attorney is present. The U.S. Attorney (federal prosecutor) presents the case to the 16- to 23-person panel that is selected from the community, and a simple majority is all that is required for a federal grand jury indictment, which is prepared by the foreman and delivered to the Federal Magistrate (judge). After a grand jury indictment, a warrant is subsequently issued for the defendant’s arrest, which starts the federal criminal process.

Grand jury proceedings are secret because:

1- Anyone being investigated cannot interfer with witnesses or otherwise tamper with the investigation.

2- Secrecy decreases the likelihood someone who is about to be indicted will escape before indictment.

3- Reluctant witnesses can speak more freely when their remarks will not be made public nor reach the target of an investigation.

4- Secrecy protects anyone who might be implicated, but who is not indicted.

Q: What is an arraignment?

After your arrest on a felony or misdemeanor, you first appear in court for arraignment. During your arraignment, the court tells you the specific criminal charges being brought against you, whether or not you are eligible to be released on bond, and the amount of the bond. If you can not afford an attorney, you may ask the court to appoint one for you.

Q: What happens in a grand jury proceeding?

As we stated in our previouse respopnse that neither the accused nor their attorneys are present and are generally not even allowed in a grand jury proceeding. A criminal defense attorney is also not allowed to provide assistance or representation for the accused in a grand jury indictment. Attorneys are also not allowed to accompany witnesses in a grand jury proceeding. However, a witness may ask permission to leave the room to consult with his or her attorney outside the grand jury room before returning to answer questions. What actually happens is that witnesses normally testify regarding the crime, and they also may be required to provide documentation, and the evidence is presented by the prosecution to the grand jury. After considering the evidence and witness testimonies, if a majority of the jurors vote to indict the defendant, the defendant must face further criminal proceedings.

Returning An Indictment

After the prosecutor presents evidence, jurors vote on the proposed charges (the indictment), which were drafted by the prosecutor. If a majority of the jury believes the evidence shows probable cause of a crime, the jury "returns" the indictment. This act initiates criminal proceedings.

Q: What should I do if I am a Witnesses

Because witnesses have not been indicted, they have no constitutional right to counsel, since the Sixth Constitutional Amendment right to counsel only applied after someone has been indicted. If a witness cannot afford an attorney, he or she can ask the court that supervises the grand jury to provide them with appointed counsel; in many districts, courts do this, as a matter of general fairness. They may appoint a private criminal defense attorney or, if the district has a Federal Public Defender’s Office, they will appoint a public defender. The witness, however, has to know to ask the court for the attorney, since prosecutors are not likely to be particularly sympathetic to such requests. You should contact a LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified criminal defense attorney immediately if you are subpoenaed as a grand jury witness or to produce any documentation for a grand jury investigation.

Is the indictment a finding of guilt?

No, an indictment is not a finding of guilt. It is simply the formal written accusation of a crime presented to a court for prosecution against the accused person. Once the grand jury files the indictment, called the "grand jury original," with the trial court, the accused is apprehended and arrested if he or she was not already arrested at the scene of the crime. If the defendant has already been arrested, he or she continues to be detained and must face further criminal proceedings. The next step after the grand jury indictment is the initial hearing where the prosecutor decides if there is enough evidence to file formal charges with the trial courts.

What is a grant of immunity?

A grant of immunity to a grand jury witness overcomes the witness's privilege against self-incrimination, and the witness is then required to testify. The prosecutor is prohibited from using that testimony or leads from it to bring charges against the witness. If a subsequent prosecution is brought, the prosecutor bears the burden of proving that all of its evidence was obtained independent of the immunized testimony. In practice, it is difficult to successfully prosecute someone for criminal activity they discussed in immunized testimony unless the prosecution had a fully prepared case before immunity was granted.

A federal crime or federal offense is a crime that is either made illegal by U.S. federal legislation or a crime that occurs on U.S. federal property. If you have been accused of violating any of the crimes mentioned in United States Code Title 18 you are facing serious criminal federal charges. Penalties for Federal crimes are the most severe in the United States and, may include expensive fines, lengthy prison terms, and even the death penalty. Federal crimes in the United States are harshly and aggressively prosecuted, which makes it vital to hire experienced legal counsel to help you protect your rights.

Charged with a Federal Offense?

The federal court system is comprised of a complex system of laws, and the consequences of being convicted of a federal offense are severe. For this reason, if you are facing federal offense charges, it is important that you seek out an attorney who has extensive experience handling criminal defense cases in federal court. Please contact ustoday for a free consultation with our skilled and effective criminal defense attorney who is intimately familiar with the federal court system and can ensure your legal rights are protected.

Healthcare Fraud

Michigan has drawn a lot of attention from healthcare fraud investigators. With so many healthcare companies in the area, state and federal investigators are especially vigilant. If your clinic is the target of a healthcare fraud investigation, even if you feel your clinic is completely innocent of all wrongdoing, you should have an experienced lawyer on your side. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are responsible for investigating allegations of Medicare fraud. Medicaid fraud and insurance fraud are investigated by the Michigan Department of Law Enforcement and the Michigan Department of Insurance and health. Any healthcare provider could be accused of healthcare fraud - doctors, other healthcare professionals, hospitals and clinics. Was the previous owner of your clinic business responsible for the fraud? Were you unaware of fraud being committed by other personnel in your clinic or doctor's office? Our law firm can investigate the circumstances.

Whatever the facts of your case, you need and deserve a lawyer who will protect your rights and guide you through this difficult process. What are your rights? What options are available to you? No matter what the charges, no matter how complex the case, we have the background and the legal knowledge to provide the aggressive, effective legal representation you need. Start protecting your rights and start building your defense. Talk to us today.

When your freedom and reputation are at risk, talk to a criminal defense lawyer who has experience with the type of charges you are facing

All of the below federal crimes are very serious charges and can carry life altering consequences. If you or someone you know has been arrested, or is being investigated for a federal offense, you need advice from an experienced Michigan Criminal Defense Lawyer. Protect your rights and your freedom….

Accounting Fraud

Antitrust

Bank Fraud

Bankruptcy Fraud

Child Pornography

Computer Crimes

Computer Hacking

Controlled Substance Violations

Conspiracy

Corporate Crimes

Counterfeiting

Customs Violations

Drug Manufacturing

Drug Possession/Sales

Drug Trafficking

Espionage

Export/Import Crimes

Gun Law Violations

Health Care Fraud

Immigration Law Violations

Internet Fraud

Kidnapping

Mail Fraud

Money Laundering

Multi-Level Marketing

RICO Crimes

Securities Fraud

Social Security Fraud

Tax Crimes

Terrorism

Weapons Charges

Wire fraud

Our Michigan criminal defense attorneys have handled hundreds of cases. We understand how police conduct investigations, how prosecuting attorneys prepare cases, and the rules of law and evidence judges use when handling a case. However, our client’s greatest advantage is that we understand juries. We have a reputation for giving exceptional closing arguments, some of the last words a jury hears prior to deliberation.