The DOJ Right Now
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Part 1: Introduction
If you've committed a federal crime, whether it be fraud, drug distribution, immigration violations, PPP loan abuse, crypto schemes, trafficking, you name it, there's something you need to hear: This DOJ isn't playing around.
Since the start of this administration, the Department of Justice has shifted into overdrive. They've ramped up enforcement across the board, slashed internal red tape, and handed more power to federal prosecutors to move fast and strike hard. If you're under investigation or even remotely at risk, now is the time to act.
At AMC Defense Law, we represent clients facing the full weight of the federal government. Our job is to find your off-ramp before things escalate. Because once the DOJ decides to make you a headline, it's too late to wish you'd made the call.
Here's what you should know before they knock on your door.
The DOJ has streamlined its enforcement processes, giving U.S. Attorneys unprecedented autonomy to bring charges quickly and aggressively across all federal crime categories.
Grand Jury Indictments Are Moving at Lightning Speed
Grand jury indictments are backed by stringent federal prosecutors who aren't waiting around for corporate compliance departments or internal reviews. They're charging people aggressively, stacking counts, and letting juries sort it out later.
Cartel cases, PPP loan fraud, FCPA violations, and Medicare scams are being indicted on a daily basis. And now, U.S. Attorneys no longer need DOJ approval to bring many of these charges. They just have to give 24 hours' notice. [Source: DOJ White Collar Crime Strategy Memo, May 2025]
If you wait to call a federal criminal defense attorney, you lose options once the government starts building a case against you. Their goal is simple: maximum leverage.
In other words: they mean business. That means more charges, higher sentencing guidelines, and fewer deals. If you choose to retain a lawyer, you might be able to:
- Avoid indictment altogether
- Proactively cooperate with investigations
- Minimize your exposure before charges are filed
- Get ahead of asset seizures and forfeiture actions
The point? Waiting until after the indictment to hire a lawyer is like walking into a courtroom already handcuffed.
Plea Deals Are Becoming Rare
The proof is in the pudding: Roughly 97% of federal defendants plead guilty. [Source: Pew Research Center; USSC Annual Report] Unlucky for them, this DOJ has made those deals much harder to come by. Many U.S. Attorney's Offices are now requiring joint sentencing recommendations.
Translation: you can't argue for a lower sentence at sentencing without breaking your plea agreement. In other words: you're locked in.
This shift means that pre-indictment representation is more critical than ever. Once you're charged, your negotiating power drops dramatically.
You Will Be Used to Set a Standard
If your crime fits a trending issue—think fentanyl, human trafficking, immigration fraud, Medicare abuse, crypto scams, and so on—you're not just being charged. You're being used as a message.
These cases are making headlines. You're being used as an example. The DOJ wants deterrence. And they're seeking maximum punishment to get it. [Source: DOJ COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Action, August 2023; DOJ Criminal Fraud Enforcement Actions, 2023]
Think You're Shielded Because It Was a Business Decision? Think Again
The DOJ has publicly stated that they will criminally prosecute individuals behind corporate fraud. That includes employees, officers, and even contractors. No one is immune. [Source: DOJ Corporate Enforcement Policy, updated 2024]
Corporate Protection Is a Myth
- Individual accountability is the new standard
- Corporate compliance programs won't shield personal liability
- Following company policy doesn't eliminate criminal exposure
- Good faith business decisions can still result in federal charges
Compliance Alone Won't Save You
If you're in crypto, health care, logistics, or finance, and you think a compliance audit will fix everything, I've got bad news for you. This DOJ expects you to self-report violations and do it early. Otherwise? They're coming with indictments.
And once they do, your company's policy manual won't matter. [Source: DOJ False Claims Act Enforcement; DOJ Fraud Enforcement]
The key is proactive engagement. Self-reporting violations early, combined with aggressive legal representation, can mean the difference between cooperation credit and maximum penalties.
Federal investigations now move faster than ever, with streamlined processes allowing prosecutors to build cases and secure indictments in record time.
What Should You Do?
If you think you might be under investigation, or even if you just know something shady happened in your organization, you need to speak with a federal criminal defense attorney now. Not when you get a target letter. Not after the indictment. Now.
The AMC Defense Law Approach
Our strategy in this new DOJ environment includes:
- Immediate threat assessment to determine your exposure level
- Proactive cooperation strategies when appropriate
- Asset protection planning before seizure actions
- Early intervention to prevent indictment
- Aggressive pre-trial advocacy when charges are unavoidable
We've successfully navigated clients through DOJ investigations across multiple administrations. We know how to read the political winds and adjust our strategy accordingly.
Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset
Every day you wait is another day the government builds its case. They will:
- Turn co-defendants into cooperating witnesses
- Flip employees and business partners
- Analyze your entire digital footprint
- Trace financial transactions going back years
- Build conspiracy theories connecting you to criminal activity
Once the DOJ decides to make you a headline, it's too late to wish you'd made the call. The time to act is before they knock on your door.
"In this enforcement environment, waiting until after charges are filed is like trying to build a dam after the flood has started. Early intervention isn't just preferred—it's essential."— Aaron M. Cohen, Principal Attorney
The Bottom Line
This DOJ has made it clear: they're prioritizing deterrence through aggressive prosecution. Whether you're facing potential charges for financial crimes, drug offenses, immigration violations, or any other federal matter, the window for proactive defense is narrowing.
Reach out. Let's get ahead of this.
If you or your loved ones are under federal investigation or have been arrested, call Aaron M. Cohen, 24 hours a day to get help.
Sources
Listen to Article
Part 1: Introduction
Aaron M. Cohen
Aaron M. Cohen has been diligently representing clients in both state and federal cases nationwide for 30 years. His extensive experience spans complex federal investigations, white-collar defense, and serious state felonies.
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