If you believe you are under federal criminal investigation, you should hire an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer. Robert Fickman is an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer who can help you if you are under federal criminal investigation.

Robert Fickman has intervened on behalf of many individuals under federal criminal investigation. Robert Fickman intervenes and communicates with the Federal law enforcement authorities. In some cases, he is able to convince Federal law enforcement that his client was not involved in any federal criminal offense. In these cases, he has been able to keep his clients from being charged with any federal criminal offense.

How do you know if you are under Federal investigation?

There are several red flags that indicate you are under a federal criminal investigation. If you see any of these red flags, you are very likely under Federal Criminal investigation:

• Someone you know will tell you that Federal agents contacted them about you.
• Something unusual happens financially, such as your bank notifying you that your account has been frozen or closed.
• Federal Agents visit you and attempt to question you about a potential criminal offense.
• The United States Attorney’s Office or Federal Agents send you a letter related to a criminal investigation where you are named as a “target” of the investigation.
• You receive a Federal grand jury subpoena.

There are three categories of people when someone is under investigation:

• Witness – a person the Federal agents believe saw or heard something related to a crime. A witness is not suspected of being involved in a crime. A witness is usually not at risk; however, a witness can become a Target. For example, a bank teller may be considered a witness to a bank robbery. Later on, if the federal agents believe that the bank teller was involved in planning the robbery, the bank teller may become a Target and may be charged with bank robbery.
• Subject – a subject is a person of interest to the federal agents. A subject is a person that the agents believe might have been involved in a federal criminal offense. A subject is scrutinized by federal agents to ascertain whether they were actually involved with a criminal offense. A bank teller who allegedly helped plan the robbery would go from being a Witness to being a Target.
• Target – a person the federal agents believe was actually involved in a federal criminal offense. A target will be the primary focus of federal agents. Federal agents will do their best to develop evidence that supports their belief that the target is guilty of a Federal Criminal Offense. When federal agents show up at a Target’s home, it is with the intent of trying to get the target to confess to a federal criminal offense.

When should you hire a federal criminal defense lawyer?

• As soon as you believe you are under investigation, or possibly will be.

The different Roles that the Federal Agents and Assistant United States Attorneys play in the investigation of a Federal Criminal Offense

Federal agents investigate Federal crimes. That means they gather evidence as to what may or may not have occurred. They interview witnesses and subpoena documents to determine whether a federal crime has occurred. Federal Agents will often make promises to people that they are interviewing. It is important to know that Federal Agents are allowed to lie to people during their investigations.  However, Federal Agents can make no binding promise on behalf of the United States of America. Also, while Federal agents can lie to suspects to elicit confessions, it is a federal crime for any individual to make a material misrepresentation to a Federal Agent during the course of a Federal investigation. This is a good reason to keep your mouth shut if Federal Agents want to talk to you.

Federal Agents work with and report their findings to an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA).  Assistant United States Attorneys have greater authority than Federal Agents. Assistant United States Attorneys are Federal prosecutors. Assistant United States Attorneys have the authority to make binding promises on behalf of the United States Attorneys. Most importantly, Assistant United States Attorneys are the individuals who decide whether to file Federal Criminal charges against an individual.

Should people under Federal Investigation talk to Federal Agents?

During the course of a Federal Criminal Investigation, Federal Agents will often attempt to contact and question the person who is the subject of the criminal investigation.  The Agents usually show up at the subject’s house without any notice. This is done purposefully to catch the subject off guard.  Agents usually work in pairs. Usually, two agents will appear at a subject’s door, and they will attempt to be invited in to “visit with” the subject. If the Agents believe the subject is guilty of a crime, they are at the house to elicit a confession.

Robert Fickman advises his clients never to talk to federal agents unless he is present to protect their interests and he has prepared them for the interview. If Federal Agents contact a client directly, Robert Fickman advises his clients not to answer any questions. He advises his clients to get the agent’s name, phone number, and agency. If the agents are present, the client can simply ask for their business card. Most Federal agents carry business cards. Robert Fickman advises his clients to tell the agents that their lawyer, Robert Fickman, will contact them.  Robert Fickman advises his clients to say nothing more and to notify him immediately if they are contacted by federal agents. Robert Fickman will only allow a client to speak with Federal Agents if he is present, and he believes the client can help establish that the client is not guilty.  Whether a client should ever speak to Federal Agents is a decision that Robert Fickman makes only after a thorough evaluation of the facts of the case and an evaluation of the Federal Agents’ position.

What a Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Robert Fickman can do to help you if you are Under Federal Investigation.

Communicate with the Agents and Assistant US Attorney (AUSA)

Robert Fickman will communicate with the Agents and the Assistant United States Attorney involved in the investigation. Through his contact with the Federal Agents and AUSA, Robert Fickman will attempt to gain information about the criminal investigation. Knowledge is indeed power, and the more Criminal Defense Lawyer Robert Fickman knows, the better he is able to protect you.  With his 42 years of experience as a criminal defense Lawyer  Robert Fickman does not think in a box. He evaluates every case with an open mind as to which defense will work best for each client. Robert Fickman will try to learn as much as he can about any criminal investigation that may involve you. Among other matters, he will inquire about the following:

• What is the subject matter of the investigation?
• Whether you are a Subject or Target of the investigation.
• What the Federal Agents & AUSA think you may have done.
• What laws, if any, do the Federal Agents & AUSA believe you may have broken?
• How long has the investigation been ongoing, and what actions have the agents taken during it?
• Where the Agents & AUSA are in their investigation. Are they just getting started, are they in the middle, or near the conclusion of the investigation?
• Whether the Federal Agents & AUSA are willing to hold off on filing charges to give Robert Fickman time to do his job and investigate the allegation.
• Whether the Agents & AUSA are open-minded to consider evidence that Robert Fickman develops that demonstrates that you have committed no criminal offense, or are their minds already made up?
• What are the possible Federal criminal charges that the AUSA is considering filing?
• If the AUSA is considering filing Federal criminal charges, the AUSA will agree to simply issue a summons for you to appear in court to avoid the embarrassment of an arrest.

Communicate with lawyers representing other individuals under investigation

Robert Fickman will try to ascertain the identity of any other criminal defense lawyer who may be representing someone else under investigation for the same offense. Robert Fickman will reach out to the other criminal defense lawyer and obtain as much information as he can to assist in building a defense. After practicing Federal Criminal Defense Law in Harris County for 42 years, Robert Fickman knows the criminal defense bar, and it is not unusual for him to work with colleagues for the mutual benefit of their clients and his clients.

Start to Build a Defense

Robert Fickman will begin building a defense against the potential charges.

In an effort to build a defense, Robert Fickman will typically do the following:

• Interview you in detail about whatever information you may have related to the allegations.
• Meet with you and your family to explain in detail how the system works and what to expect as he builds your Defense.
• Interview any potential helpful witnesses.
• Formulate a strong Defense Position that is supported by the evidence.
• Gather and review critical documents.
• Retain a private investigator to conduct investigations that will be helpful to the defense.
• Do background checks on potential adversarial witnesses.

What to do if you are Under Federal investigation

• Retain an experienced Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer like Robert Fickman to defend you.
• Keep all your records in a safe place.
• Get your finances in order.
• Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.

What not to do if you are Under a Federal Criminal Investigation

People under federal criminal investigation often panic, and in that panic, they make foolish decisions that worsen their situation.

If a person is under Federal investigation, they should not take actions that will make matters worse for themselves.

• They should not call the Federal Agents investigating them and seek legal advice from the very people who are trying to get them to confess to a criminal offense.
• They should not destroy potential evidence. They should not shred important documents.
• They should not alter important documents or create phony documents.
• They should not break any law during the criminal investigation; they should understand that their conduct is being scrutinized by Federal Agents.
• They should not discuss the federal criminal investigation with anyone else.
• They should presume their phone calls are being recorded; they should never talk to anyone in any way that sounds like a code. People only talk in code if they have something to hide. Talking in code can make an innocent person look guilty.
• They should not tell other people their story. Every time they tell their story to someone, they create a potential adversarial witness who may someday be called to contradict what the accused says in court.
• They should not assume they can trust everyone they have previously trusted. A previously trusted co-worker can be intimidated and may lie against a person in an effort to protect themselves. It is always best to speak about the subject matter of the criminal investigation with your criminal defense lawyer. When Robert Fickman is representing you, statements you make to Robert Fickman are protected by the law and are protected by the Attorney-Client Privilege. Part of Robert Fickman’s job is to defend his clients while protecting their confidentiality.
• They should never contact potential witnesses or try to influence a witness to lie on their behalf.

Call Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer Robert Fickman today if you are under a Federal Criminal investigation. Call his Office at 713-655-7400. If you are under investigation, time is of the essence. Act promptly to protect yourself.

A SUMMARY OF CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY ROBERT FICKMAN’S CREDENTIALS

• Robert Fickman has been a criminal defense attorney in Houston for 40+ Years.
• Robert Fickman has handled over 300 Federal Cases.
• Robert Fickman has kept some clients from being charged in Federal Court.
• Robert Fickman has obtained the dismissal of some Federal Charges.
• Robert Fickman has gone to trial in Federal Court and obtained acquittals on all charges for some clients. In 2022, Robert Fickman went to trial in United States v. Rebolledo. Robert Fickman’s client was the ONLY client in the entire case to be acquitted on all charges.
• Robert Fickman has argued many cases before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Robert Fickman has had an AV Rating (the highest rating) with Martindale Hubbell for over 20 years.
• Robert Fickman has been named a “Texas Super Lawyer” since 2015.
• Robert Fickman is well-respected by his peers, and he has received numerous awards.
• Robert Fickman was the President of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) from 2006-2007.
• Robert Fickman is a past Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) board member.
• Robert Fickman serves on the HCCLA and TCDLA Strike Forces, where he is called upon to come to the aid of other criminal defense lawyers.
• Robert Fickman is an outstanding public speaker. Robert Fickman was on the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ “Best of 2010 Speakers”, “Best of 2014 Speakers,” and “Best of 2022 Speakers Disc.”
• Robert Fickman was named “Mr. Declaration of Independence.” in the Texas State Bar Journal for his volunteerism.