No. If an FBI Special Agent, or for that matter any other federal government agent, shows up at your home or workplace seeking to speak with you, you are under no obligation to speak with him or her. In fact, you should never speak to a government agent unless you have a lawyer present. Many people do not appreciate or understand that any misstatement made to a government agent, which the government later labels as a “lie,” can form the basis for a criminal prosecution. Thus, if you chose to speak to a federal agent without an attorney present, you may be doing so at your own significant peril. Having an attorney on your side can be very valuable as the attorney can find out from the agent whether you are a “target” of an investigation or merely a witness. Keep in mind, however, that even a witness can turn into a target depending upon how the investigation develops. Therefore, it is always best to err on the side of being overly cautious and careful. No reasonable federal agent is looking to build a case based upon coercion. Such conduct can lead to adverse professional consequences for the agent. Therefore, if approached by a federal agent with questions, always be polite and respectful and notify the agent that you will be happy to speak with him or her once you’ve consulted with an attorney. Most agents will respect that request and back off from further questioning. To summarize, do not ever speak with a federal agent unless you’ve consulted with an attorney first. Statements you make can be used against you later in court proceedings and even form the basis for a criminal prosecution. The best adage to keep in mind here is that the “blubbering whale is the first to get harpooned.” So, never speak to a federal agent unless you first consult an attorney. Related to this advice, if you know that you’re under federal investigation, don’t speak to anyone else about it otherwise your statements could later be used against you as “admissions.” Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, The Federal Defenders handles federal criminal cases (both trials and appeals) throughout the United States. With a combined total of more than 100 years of experience, the attorneys and investigators at The Federal Defenders know what it takes to win and achieve favorable outcomes for clients. Call us today at (800) 712-000 for a free and confidential consultation.