There is very little to almost no upside in talking to the Feds who are investigating something. Don't think "Well I haven't done anything wrong, I have nothing to hide, I am a law abiding American, so I can talk to them."
They are very good at what they do. If they want to get you in a lie, they can and will. It won't matter if it was an innocent memory lapse, or slight misstatement, you will be charged and leveraged for whatever 'win' they are trying to achieve.
I am Criminal Defense attorney and anyone who practices would tell you there is zero benefit to your client (accused/suspected of a crime) to talking to the Feds. However, what if your client isn't a suspect, but knows the suspect or is friends/family with the suspect? I've heard many defense attorneys consider and have clients talk with investigators (including Feds) in the thought that they were innocent and didn't have anything to hide and could even clear themselves. I even once as a young defense attorney (17 years ago) went to an FBI debrief with a client whose husband was about to be charged with all sorts of financial and IRS crimes. Luckily she wasn't charged. But knowing what I know now, I doubt I would do it again.
Listened to ex-Navy Seal, now author, Jack Carr on Joe Rogan podcast talk about how Navy Investigators (NCIS) would call him in under some investigation and he would realize real quick they were not on the 'same side' and the fact he had not broken any rules or laws didn't mean they couldn't put him in a world of hurt to achieve whatever investigative goal/purpose they had.
Flynn's story will resonate for many years in Law school classrooms and CLEs with defense lawyers who better learn the lessons from it.
They are very good at what they do. If they want to get you in a lie, they can and will. It won't matter if it was an innocent memory lapse, or slight misstatement, you will be charged and leveraged for whatever 'win' they are trying to achieve.
I am Criminal Defense attorney and anyone who practices would tell you there is zero benefit to your client (accused/suspected of a crime) to talking to the Feds. However, what if your client isn't a suspect, but knows the suspect or is friends/family with the suspect? I've heard many defense attorneys consider and have clients talk with investigators (including Feds) in the thought that they were innocent and didn't have anything to hide and could even clear themselves. I even once as a young defense attorney (17 years ago) went to an FBI debrief with a client whose husband was about to be charged with all sorts of financial and IRS crimes. Luckily she wasn't charged. But knowing what I know now, I doubt I would do it again.
Listened to ex-Navy Seal, now author, Jack Carr on Joe Rogan podcast talk about how Navy Investigators (NCIS) would call him in under some investigation and he would realize real quick they were not on the 'same side' and the fact he had not broken any rules or laws didn't mean they couldn't put him in a world of hurt to achieve whatever investigative goal/purpose they had.
Flynn's story will resonate for many years in Law school classrooms and CLEs with defense lawyers who better learn the lessons from it.
