White collar crime investigations often target people who never would have considered themselves to have engaged in criminal activity. Investigators can cast a wide net, looking to gather information across a whole business or network of contacts before determining who, if anyone, should face charges.
The fear this can bring can make it easy for people to panic and do things that could lead to criminal charges, even if they don’t face any for the alleged original offense. Here are three errors to avoid.
Tampering with evidence
It might seem a simple thing to put some files that investigating authorities may want to look at through the shredder, or to go around deleting or altering files from computers and phones. Yet being found out could see you face charges of tampering with evidence. It may also be in vain, as those investigating the alleged crime may have other ways to get original copies of those materials, such as by subpoenaing an internet provider or social media company.
Fleeing arrest
Running from the police or resisting them when they try to arrest you is never a good idea. People often end up injured, or sometimes even dead, after an incident escalates. Prosecutors may also bring further charges against you for your actions, perhaps accusing you of resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer or endangering the public.
Lying under oath
Say that your company is at the center of a white collar investigation, and a colleague or your employer asks you to lie on their behalf. This might involve providing an alibi to say they were not at work when the alleged offense took place, or it might be lying about numbers. Lying under oath is a crime, and no matter how much someone pressures you or how much money they offer you to lie on their behalf, it is not worth doing.
Keeping a cool head is essential if you believe you are being investigated for alleged white collar offenses. Seeking early legal guidance can be critical to your future.