[GRAPHIC: The real crime of being accused]
MARK J. SACCO: The real tragedy of an innocent person being accused of some of these white collar crimes, fraud, embezzlement, other business crimes, is the tremendous impact that it has on their family, on their business, on their social life. And that's the reason I ask clients or prospective clients to call me or another lawyer as soon as possible. If they get any kind of indication that they're being investigated by the federal government, that attorney will act as a representative on your behalf, determine what exactly the investigation is about and what role you play in the investigation.
Sometimes you're simply a witness. But other times, you're actually a target of the investigation. And if you're a target of the investigation, that means that you are exposed to being charged criminally and possibly indicted.
[GRAPHIC: And now it's begun...]
MARK J. SACCO: If you're being charged with a federal crime, you need an attorney that has experience in dealing with these complex federal issues. A federal case is different than a state case in that the federal statutes are much more complex. They're much more in depth. And generally, a federal prosecution is document intensive and thoroughly investigated by a federal agency. That's why you need an attorney with experience to make sure that you're not doing something that you shouldn't do, make sure you're not saying something that you shouldn't be saying, and to make sure, end of the day that your rights are protected. I have that experience. I've handled these cases.
[GRAPHIC: Contacted by the authorities]
MARK J. SACCO: I have the utmost respect for police officers and detectives. However, in a criminal case, the best course of action is to call your attorney first and then let your attorney call the police. Down the road, that could be the best decision you've ever made.
[GRAPHIC: Choose counsel wisely]
When you're navigating a criminal case, even a small mistake can be catastrophic. If you've been charged with a serious criminal offense, it is a life changing event. If it's handled improperly, you will suffer the consequences of that for the rest of your life. You must choose counsel wisely.
[GRAPHIC: Photo]
As a lawyer in the United States Marine Corps, I learned to pursue cases until the end. I learned never to stop until I got the result I was looking for. And that's what I do for every one of my clients.
