When law enforcement officials receive information signaling a white-collar crime, the Attorney General’s Office usually approaches the investigation with the following steps:

1. Informal Interview Requests: These serve as a way for officials to receive voluntary information about one’s actions, which may bring serious legal ramifications down the road. 
2. Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs): CIDs are administrative subpoenas that allow law enforcement agencies to receive critical information about a case while evading formal court processes. 
3. Target Letters: Parties under investigation will receive a letter from officials outlining their scrutiny for possible regulatory compliance violations and other crimes. 
4. Subpoenas and Search Warrants: The investigation takes a serious turn once officials issue subpoenas or search warrants, which accused parties must comply with. 
5. Grand Jury Subpoenas and Indictments: Confidential grand jury hearings determine whether formal charges should be brought against the accused, also known as an indictment. This then leads to a criminal trial.

Consult our Attorney General investigation defense attorneys at the first sign of legal scrutiny against you or your organization. We will guide you through the initial process and prepare for further litigation if the investigation ends with an indictment.