When news breaks about major fraud cases, people often see headlines about indictments, guilty pleas, trials or investigations — but few understand the critical legal distinctions behind those terms. Recently, Ryan Pacyga Criminal Defense represented a client who was charged in federal court for fraud connected to both the Minnesota autism services program and Feeding Our Future. Her case highlighted the difference between being indicted by a grand jury and voluntarily pleading guilty to what’s called an “information.”
This case made headlines in the Star Tribune and on KSTP, but the real legal takeaway goes beyond the news cycle: sometimes it’s in a client’s best interest to resolve a case quickly by pleading to an information rather than waiting for an indictment.
What Is an Information?
In federal court, most charges come through an indictment — a secret grand jury process where federal prosecutors present evidence and witnesses. If the grand jury finds probable cause, it issues an indictment, often followed by an arrest with little or no notice.
But under certain circumstances, a defendant may choose to resolve the case through an information. This means:
- The defendant voluntarily agrees to plead guilty.
- There’s no grand jury, no surprise arrest.
- The case can move faster, and often more favorably, through the courts.
As Ryan explains:
“Sometimes you’ve got to know when to hold them and when to fold them. If you know you’ve committed the crime, resolving the case quickly with an information can save government resources, show the judge you’ve accepted responsibility, and sometimes even result in leniency at sentencing.”
Why It Can Be Beneficial
For defendants, choosing to resolve a case on an information can:
- Avoid the trauma and publicity of a sudden arrest.
- Save on legal costs by reducing lengthy litigation.
- Demonstrate cooperation and responsibility to the court.
- Allow for faster resolution and sentencing.
Of course, there are trade-offs. Defendants give up the chance to challenge certain evidence or to force the government to prove its case before a grand jury. This makes the decision highly case-specific — and why it’s crucial to have an experienced defense attorney guide the process.
The Case in the News
In this recent Minnesota case, the client acknowledged wrongdoing and chose to cooperate with investigators rather than prolong the process. Media reports noted that Ryan Pacyga told KSTP his client “wanted to start the business for the right reasons, but nonetheless knew at some point the fraud began and let it continue.”
By resolving the case through an information, Ryan helped the client move forward without the drawn-out uncertainty of an indictment and arrest, and negotiated favorable terms in the Information to limit her exposure in the federal sentencing guidelines.
Takeaway for Anyone Facing Federal Charges
If you or someone you love is under federal investigation — whether for wire fraud, mail fraud, tax fraud, bank fraud, healthcare fraud or another charge — understanding the difference between an indictment and an information is essential. This decision could significantly impact your case, your costs, and your future.
Ryan Pacyga and his team take the time to educate clients and explore every possible strategy — always with the client’s best interests in mind.