Many people panic or do things they would not normally do when they learn they are under investigation by the police or federal authorities. Some of these actions have the potential to end in criminal charges, even if the investigation itself comes to nothing.
Tampering with evidence
Destroying evidence, throwing it away or even just altering it could lead to a charge of tampering with evidence. For the charge to stand, the prosecution would need to prove that you knew about the investigation or even just that there could be one. They’d also need to show that your actions were intended to conceal or deceive, and that what you tampered with counts as evidence.
Prosecutors may interpret these things differently from you, so it’s best not to put yourself in a situation where such a charge could be possible. This could include altering a spreadsheet, incinerating a piece of clothing, shredding a document or cleaning your fingerprints from a weapon.
Resisting arrest
You probably don’t want to be arrested, but that does not mean you can try to prevent the police from arresting you. You can face charges for fleeing from them or failing to stop when they tell you to, as well as perhaps more serious charges if you use physical force to try to stop them.
Going quietly is best, as you certainly don’t want to be in a situation where an officer uses a weapon on you or one where you are endangering yourself and others, such as a car chase. The best thing in the face of a potential or actual criminal investigation is to seek legal guidance to protect your rights and determine how best to proceed.