Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Federal Criminal Investigations in Chicago Often Begin Long Before You Are Aware
Federal criminal investigations rarely announce themselves at the outset. In Chicago, many people under federal scrutiny continue working, raising families, and operating businesses without realizing that agents have already been building a case against them. Unlike Illinois state criminal matters, where arrests often follow shortly after alleged conduct, federal investigations unfold quietly and methodically. The goal is not speed. The goal is certainty.
Federal agencies operating in Chicago focus on offenses that fall under federal jurisdiction, including drug trafficking, wire fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, firearms violations, tax crimes, money laundering, and conspiracy allegations. While Illinois law distinguishes between misdemeanors and felonies, federal criminal law is almost entirely felony-based. Even conduct that might result in probation under Illinois statutes can lead to years in federal prison once charged federally.
