Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Epley Law Firm’s experience includes high-stakes federal and state criminal matters involving white collar allegations, public integrity issues, violent offenses, sexual abuse allegations, federal investigations, and reputation-sensitive criminal exposure. 

Representative matters include: 

• Dismissal of federal charges in case involving medical Anti-Kickback Statute allegations.
• Dismissal of federal charges in case involving federal Securities Fraud. Remanded.
• Pre-Trial Diversion on state charges for felony Engaging in Organized Crime.
• Reduction of federal sentencing guideline exposure on a Wire Fraud charge resulting in a plea to Misprision and a noncustodial sentence. 
• Reduction of federal sentencing guideline exposure on a Wire Fraud charge resulting in a noncustodial sentence. 
• Probationary sentence in federal court for a client charged in a federal gambling matter. 
• Minimum sentence in a state sexual-abuse case involving a high-exposure felony allegation. 
• Defense of state fiduciary-fund allegations involving claims of misapplication of fiduciary property. 
• Defense of state murder allegations.
• Defense of federal pill-mill and controlled-substance cases involving medical, prescribing, and federal/state investigative issues. 
• Early intervention and cooperation strategy in federal investigations before charges were filed. 
• Representation in target-letter, subpoena, and grand-jury matters involving potential state and federal criminal exposure. 
• Defense of high-profile, reputation-sensitive allegations involving professional, business, family, and public consequences.

Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome but can be informative as to paths available to your defense. 

You should contact counsel as early as possible - ideally before speaking with investigators, producing records, responding to a subpoena, or making decisions that could affect your defense. Early intervention can help protect your rights, preserve options, and shape the direction of the case before charges are filed. 

You have a right not to answer any questions or try to explain the situation without speaking to a lawyer first. Federal agents are trained investigators, and even well-intentioned statements can create legal risk. Politely decline to speak until you have consulted counsel. 

A target letter is a formal notice from federal prosecutors that a person is a target of a criminal investigation. Receiving a target letter does not mean charges are inevitable, but it does mean the situation is serious and should be handled immediately with experienced federal criminal defense counsel. 

Do not ignore it. You have a right to legal advice. A subpoena may require testimony, documents, records, or electronic information. Counsel can evaluate the subpoena, communicate with prosecutors, protect privileges, and help determine the safest and most strategic response. 

Yes. Some of the most important defense work happens before an indictment or arrest. Counsel may be able to communicate with prosecutors, address misunderstandings, present information, narrow issues, protect records, prepare for interviews, and help reduce the risk of unnecessary charges. 

Epley Law Firm represents clients in high-stakes federal and state criminal matters, including white collar investigations, public integrity allegations, target letters, grand jury subpoenas, serious felonies, violent crime allegations, firearms cases, and reputation-sensitive criminal matters. 

Yes. Erin Epley represents clients in both federal and state court. Her experience as a former Harris County prosecutor, former SDTX federal prosecutor, and criminal defense lawyer gives her extensive insight into how cases are investigated, charged, negotiated, and tried in both systems.

White collar criminal defense generally involves allegations of financial, business, professional, or government-related misconduct. These cases may involve fraud, public corruption, false statements, money laundering, healthcare or business records, tax issues, government investigations, or parallel civil and criminal exposure. 

Public integrity cases often involve allegations against elected officials, government employees, public contractors, campaign-related actors, or individuals accused of misusing public authority, funds, or influence. These matters can carry serious legal, professional, reputational, and political consequences. 

Do not panic, but do not continue speaking without counsel. A lawyer can evaluate what was said, assess the potential risk, and help decide what steps should be taken next. It is important to be accurate with counsel about exactly what happened. 

After a search warrant, investigators may seize phones, computers, records, business files, financial documents, or other property. Counsel can review the warrant, assess the scope of the search, address privilege issues, communicate with prosecutors, and begin building a defense strategy immediately. 

Yes. Some criminal matters affect more than the courtroom. Epley Law Firm represents clients whose cases may affect their careers, professional licenses, businesses, families, reputations, or public standing. The defense strategy should account for the full impact of the case, not just the charge 

Yes. Consultations are confidential. If you are under investigation, have received a subpoena or target letter, or believe you may be contacted by law enforcement, you should seek legal advice before taking further action.