Homeland Security Investigation Attorney

What is a  Homeland Security Investigation?

Homeland Security has special agents who investigate a variety of crimes. These crimes include but are not limited to the following:

  • Threats to National Security and Public Safety
  • Human Trafficking and Smuggling
  • Drug Smuggling
  • Counter-Proliferation Investigations
  • Gang Investigations
  • Financial and Money-Laundering Crimes
  • Customs and Trade Fraud
  • Immigration Fraud
  • Cyber and Child Exploitation Crimes

Typically, a Homeland Security Investigation is conducted by Agents who handle cases involving money laundering, fraud investigations, counter proliferation investigations, cyber investigations, narcotics, immigration and nationality act violations. When handling money-laundering cases, agents typically identify, track, interrupt and deconstruct the criminal organization(s) that launder the money. Agents also target and dismantle the practices of parties who trade illicitly in fraud investigations. In counter-proliferation investigations, agents investigate trafficking in a variety of different cases such as arms deals, drug deals, potential nuclear weapon, biological weapon deals, and chemical weapon deals. In terms of cyber investigations, Homeland Security Investigations can include anyone using the Internet as an interface to commit crimes. Agents have the ability to use intelligence to investigate narcotics smuggling enterprises in order to control the amount of drugs entering the United States.

Joint investigations

There are many situations in which Homeland Security and their agents will collaborate with the FBI or the IRS and in some cases with federal task forces using local police departments. When different agencies’ cases interact or when they require the assistance of another agency or their resources in order to further investigate a case, the agencies may team-up. If this were to happen, having an attorney who is well versed in both State and Federal Court would be immensely helpful, as they would have the prior knowledge to make sure that the investigating agencies do not overstep their boundaries when it comes to questioning you, searches and seizures, and other aspects of your case. In cases where there is more than one agency involved having an attorney is even more important because each agency can question you in relation to the case and they can each execute search warrants so the chances that you get taken advantage of increase exponentially. In this situation, an attorney would be able to guide you through the process and protect you from any harassment or improper investigation from the investigating agencies.

Local and Federal Agencies

Due to the fact that Homeland Security Investigation agents can collaborate with other agencies both on the State and Federal level, you may be charged with crimes at each of these levels. Navigating criminal charges in State Court and in Federal Court are different because Federal Court usually has the charges with the higher prison sentences. Most attorneys have extensive experience in State Court but fall short on experience in Federal Court. In a situation where you have charges in Federal Court it is pertinent that you find an attorney who has experience in Federal Court because it is in your best interest to protect yourself as best you can from facing serious time in Federal Prison.

Ready to fight for you!

If you or a loved one is facing a Homeland Security Investigation, you need an aggressive criminal defense lawyer on your side. With offices in Costa Mesa and San Diego, we serve people throughout Southern California. Call (855) 505-5588 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.

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