What is the federal criminal investigative process?

The federal criminal investigative process is the way the government investigates and prosecutes people who are accused of committing a federal crime. In Utah, federal crimes are usually investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), or the U.S. Secret Service (USSS). The investigative process begins when law enforcement agents receive a report of a suspected federal crime. Then, the agents typically carry out interviews and collect evidence to build a case against the suspect. If there is enough evidence to support the suspicion, the agents then submit a report and recommendation to an appropriate U.S. Attorney’s Office. The U.S. Attorney’s Office reviews the evidence and decides whether or not to prosecute the case. If they decide to prosecute, they will issue an indictment, which is a formal accusation of a crime. The defendant must then answer the indictment and appear in court to answer the charges. If the defendant pleads guilty or is found guilty by a jury, the judge will then issue a sentence based on the federal sentencing guidelines. The sentence may include a fine, probation, or incarceration, and the defendant will be legally required to pay any fines or serve any jail time.

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What is the federal criminal investigative process?

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