The earlier you retain an attorney to represent you in connection with a criminal investigation the more likely you are to end up with a favorable result.  The best criminal defense attorneys know that the choices you make early on can ultimately dictate your ability to avoid charges, leverage a favorable plea deal, cooperate with the government or present a defense tailored to the evidence at trial.  Even seemingly innocuous interactions with detectives or federal agents can lead you to lock in to a specific defense which may not be the most persuasive at trial, confirm your involvement in a crime by eliminating the need for the prosecution to prove certain elements or foreclose your ability to exchange the information you have for a non-prosecution, deferred prosecution or cooperation agreement with the government.