You should hire an attorney as soon as possible. Sometimes, prosecutors will notify you that you are a suspect in a criminal investigation or that they believe they may charge you. At that point, it is essential to retain an experienced white-collar criminal defense attorney to begin discussing your case and preparing to defend against criminal charges.
Hiring an attorney will not make prosecutors more likely to charge you because you “look” guilty. Prosecutors understand that any person of interest in a white-collar criminal investigation will want to understand their rights and options and possible outcomes to the inquiry.