People often assume that being arrested for a white collar crime is different than being arrested for a violent offense. The unfortunate truth is that those accused of white collar crimes, like wire fraud, face the same wrath of the justice system as anyone else would. Where someone expects to be treated with respect and professionalism, they might find themselves met with a SWAT team kicking down their door and an aggressive arrest.
If you or a loved one are facing accusations of federal wire fraud in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in Florida, it is critical to get legal help as soon as you are able. By involving an expert lawyer early on, you could be able to mitigate the effects of a wire fraud arrest in South Florida or even avoid it altogether. Our team at Rossen Law Firm is here to help you and protect your future prospects, so do not hesitate to reach out.
Wire Fraud Arrests Guide
What Happens Leading Up to an Arrest?
In order to understand federal crime arrests, it is important to understand the role of the grand jury. The primary job of the grand jury is to determine whether there is probable cause to believe someone committed an offense and should be put on trial. The grand jury usually sets the timetable for when a wire fraud arrest is going to occur. Although a wire fraud defendant could be arrested on a complaint, which is an arrest warrant authored by an agent and signed by a magistrate or a district judge, arrests for these charges much more commonly come after the grand jury hearing. Once the grand jury issues an indictment, an arrest warrant can be issued.
In many South Florida wire fraud cases, you might be able to avoid an arrest by negotiating a surrender with the prosecutor. When you hire a lawyer early on in the process, they can communicate with the US Attorney's Office or Department of Justice trial attorneys to get an idea of where the grand jury is at. From here, an attorney can start the process of preparing for your surrender and initial appearance.
Surrendering for Wire Fraud in South Florida
When you hire an attorney early on in your wire fraud case, they will often be able to arrange a day for you to go to the courthouse to surrender instead of being suddenly arrested. Once you arrive at the courthouse, you will be processed at the marshal’s office. This usually takes about an hour.
You will also be interviewed by someone from the probation office. The interviewer will use the data collected in this interview to draft a report for the judge. You will also have an initial appearance hearing at the courthouse, where the judge will review the probation officer's report and discuss the conditions of release, which might include bail, travel restrictions, electronic monitoring, and more. Working with an expert attorney gives you the best chance at your initial hearing being the same day as your surrender.
Contact An Attorney Right Away After a Wire Fraud Arrest in Fort Lauderdale
When possible, it is best to reach out to an attorney as soon as you know you are being investigated for wire fraud before an arrest. If you are arrested without warning, you should contact an attorney right when you get access to a phone. We are here to help, and we want to get to work right away on your case.
Wire fraud arrests in Fort Lauderdale and across South Florida are stressful, but you are not alone. Call Rossen Law Firm to get started.