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Shealey Law Firm is an law firm for FBI, DEA, and SLED investigations in Columbia, SC. Our experienced federal criminal defense lawyers represent suspects, persons of interest, and witnesses. We assist individuals, corporations, and organizations. If you’re involved in an investigation, contact us for immediate assistance.
Targeted by the FBI, DEA, or SLED? Here’s What You Need To Know
- You have the right to remain silent. This includes when the police ask to talk to you and during grand jury questioning.
- What you say and do while you’re under investigation can be critical to the outcome of your case.
- Statements to law enforcement, what you say to others, and social media posts may all be used against you.
- Early negotiations may be effective in resolving your case favorably.
- You have the right to an attorney at any time, even if charges haven’t formally been filed.
Don’t speak to law enforcement. And don’t talk to others since they may be witnesses against you. Save evidence, and don’t alter anything. You don’t want to face obstruction of justice charges for evidence destruction. Get legal counsel as soon as possible.
Lawyers for FBI, DEA, & SLED Investigations in Columbia, SC
Shealey Law Firm represents people facing FBI, DEA, and SLED investigations. If you’re the target of a law enforcement investigation, secure legal counsel right away. Our lawyers can protect your rights, respond to attempts by law enforcement to contact you, and guide your next steps.
What Triggers a Federal or State Criminal Investigation?
Most federal or state criminal investigations begin when someone reports a crime. Anyone can report suspicion of a crime to a law enforcement agency.
The law enforcement agency will decide if:
- The report is credible
- Evidence may be available through investigation
- A crime may have been committed
- There would be jurisdiction to prosecute
- They are the appropriate law enforcement agency to investigate
- It’s worth the time and resources to investigate further
In addition to receiving reports, law enforcement may become aware of a possible crime on their own. Regulatory agencies may provide information, and law enforcement agencies may gather and analyze intelligence.
FBI Investigations: How They Work and What to Expect
The FBI is the leading United States federal law enforcement agency. Other government agencies also conduct federal investigations. However, one of the FBI’s primary functions is to investigate crime, and they have the broadest law enforcement authority of any federal agency.
What does the FBI investigate?
The FBI focuses on:
- White-collar crime, including fraud, insider trading, money laundering, and bribery
- Public corruption
- Civil rights violations
- Human trafficking, involuntary servitude
- Organized crime
- Espionage, counterintelligence
- Violent crime, including gangs, kidnapping, and robberies
- Crimes against children
- Missing persons
- Terrorism
The FBI can work through joint task forces with other law enforcement agencies. They also assist other law enforcement agencies in officer training, laboratory services, and fingerprint identification.
How do you find out if the FBI is investigating you?
FBI investigations are not public record. There’s no way to search a database to see if you’re the subject of an FBI investigation. You might find out when:
- An FBI agent asks to talk to you
- Someone you know tells you the FBI approached them
- Accounts are frozen, or there is other unusual activity
- You’re called to testify before a grand jury
- You receive a target letter
- The FBI issues subpoenas
- You’re arrested for a crime with no warning
South Carolina FBI offices
The FBI has offices throughout the United States with several locations in South Carolina, including Mt Pleasant, Spartanburg, Lexington, Columbia, Florence, and Myrtle Beach.
How does the FBI charge someone with a crime?
Being a federal agency, FBI investigations are most likely to lead to federal rather than state charges. Federal felony charges must go before a grand jury, unless the defendant waives the proceeding. Federal misdemeanor charges may begin without a grand jury. The U.S. attorney may authorize misdemeanor charges.
DEA Investigations: Controlled Substances, Prescriptions, and Trafficking Charges
The DEA is the United States Drug Enforcement Agency. The DEA investigates and prosecutes illegal drug activity. They investigate illegal growing, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances. Their work involves drug activity within the United States and activity abroad that may involve the United States, such as international trafficking.
How do DEA investigations work?
DEA investigations start when agents receive information about drug activity. They determine if illegal activity has occurred and if there is evidence to prosecute. DEA agents may build evidence for criminal charges.
Many DEA investigations rely heavily on informants. A person may want to report a crime on their own, or they may cooperate in exchange for leniency in their own criminal proceedings.
Evidence of drug activity may be electronic, such as financial records, suspicious orders and shipments, borders and customs analytics, and transportation records. Undercover operations may be used to gather information.
If you suspect a DEA investigation
If you suspect a DEA investigation against you, contact a lawyer. There may be ongoing surveillance and tracking activity. Law enforcement may be analyzing information and interviewing witnesses. Remember, someone whom you think of as a confidant may actually be working against you.
An attorney can help you navigate the situation and explain what to do right now. They can prepare you for the possibility of a search warrant, subpoenas, and grand jury proceedings.
Asset seizure and forfeiture
A significant part of any DEA investigation is the possibility of asset forfeiture. Federal laws allow the DEA to claim assets used for or obtained by illegal activity. With DEA asset forfeiture bringing in billions of dollars each year, the DEA is as interested in your assets as they are in investigating crime. But law enforcement needs probable cause, and you have a right to challenge the proceedings.
Asset forfeiture may be a civil proceeding, but it can also accompany criminal charges. Civil asset forfeiture doesn’t require a criminal conviction.
A lawyer from Shealey Law Firm can represent you if you’re facing asset seizure and forfeiture.
SLED Investigations in South Carolina: What Sets Them Apart?
The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is a statewide law enforcement agency that investigates crime and assists local law enforcement agencies.
SLED investigations cover a variety of areas, including:
- Field investigation of crimes
- Psychological profiling, threat assessments
- Polygraph administration
- Child death investigations
- Vulnerable adult abuse
- Public corruption, fraud
- Crimes involving vehicles
- Terrorism
- Narcotics, alcohol regulations
- Computer crimes
SLED is organized into regional offices.
SLED investigations
When SLED investigates, it’s likely a serious legal matter. SLED has forensic services, tactical response units, laboratories, and significant resources to carry out its work, which may lead to criminal charges.
SLED investigations differ from local law enforcement in several ways. For example, SLED is the primary law enforcement agency for terrorism and child death investigations. They often investigate when criminal allegations involve local law enforcement or public corruption. Significant forensic capabilities like ballistic testing, DNA, and toxicology allow SLED to build evidence. An investigation may be long in duration, and resulting charges may carry severe potential penalties.
Lawyer for SLED investigations
You should contact a lawyer right away if you may be the subject of an SLED investigation. Contact Shealey Law Firm to talk to a lawyer.
What To Do If You’ve Been Contacted by a Federal or State Agent
If you’ve been contacted by SLED, the DEA, or the FBI, politely assert your right to remain silent. You can simply say no, thank you, and inform them you don’t want to discuss anything. Ask to talk to your lawyer.
When you ask for a lawyer, the police must stop questioning you. If they don’t, you can challenge the admissibility of your statements. If the police continue to question you, politely decline and insist on contacting a lawyer. Don’t agree to let the police search your home, vehicle, or other property without a warrant. Contact your lawyer as soon as possible.
How a Criminal Defense Attorney Can Intervene Early
A criminal defense attorney can:
- Tell law enforcement not to contact you, and end police questioning
- Interview witnesses
- Advise you on what to do right now
- Explain the law and what happens next
- Negotiate with prosecutors early, if appropriate
- Bring preliminary motions to the court, challenge evidence
- Argue for favorable conditions of release
- Advocate for you in court
In whatever way you are involved in a SLED, DEA, or FBI investigation—as a suspect, person of interest, or witness, a criminal defense attorney can protect your rights. Early intervention can prevent self-incrimination, preserve exculpatory evidence, guide your defense strategy, and resolve your case promptly.
Protecting Your Rights in High-Stakes Federal Investigations
The Fifth Amendment protects people from self-incrimination. You don’t have to talk to the police, answer grand jury questions, or testify in court if the testimony may prove involvement in criminal activity. Law enforcement must honor your Miranda rights, but Miranda warnings aren’t required in all circumstances. It may be best to negotiate early in the proceedings, but you should only approach law enforcement with guidance from an experienced attorney.
Can you refuse to testify before a federal grand jury?
A federal grand jury subpoena is a court order, so you can’t refuse to appear or ignore it. If you do, you may face contempt of court charges. But you can invoke your right to remain silent if the testimony could be used in a criminal prosecution or lead to damaging evidence (Kastiger v. U.S., 406 U.S. 411 (1972)).
Why Experience with Federal and State Agencies Matters
Many federal and state agencies conduct law enforcement investigations. Procedures vary significantly in federal, state, and local prosecutions. Knowing how to respond effectively at each stage is critical. Any step, when handled well, can help with the defense. But mistakes in the process can be devastating.
Because there are procedural differences, your attorney needs experience in federal and state law enforcement proceedings.
For a defendant, it may be their first time in court. Having an experienced lawyer gives you a guide. Your lawyer can review your situation and evaluate your options. They can explain what you need to know and represent you with the law enforcement agency and in court, protecting your rights.
Contact an Experienced Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer in Columbia
If you might be involved in an FBI, DEA, or SLED investigation, contact our attorneys at Shealey Law Firm. Get help from an experienced federal criminal defense lawyer in Columbia, SC.