FTC Spells Out When It Hands Criminals to DOJ
Published Date: 7/29/2025
Notice
Summary
The FTC is sharing how it decides to send cases of serious rule-breaking to the Department of Justice for criminal charges. This affects businesses and people who might have broken important laws, and it means the FTC is getting clearer about when to take tough action. These changes help everyone know what to expect and could lead to faster legal steps soon.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Clearer referrals may speed prosecutions
The FTC says it will use these factors when deciding to refer alleged criminal regulatory offenses to the Department of Justice, which could lead to faster criminal steps for people or businesses under investigation. If you are someone accused of serious rule-breaking, this may raise the chance of quicker DOJ prosecution. The change signals the FTC may take tougher action in some cases.
FTC explains when it refers cases
The FTC published guidance describing the factors it will use to decide whether to send alleged criminal regulatory violations to the Department of Justice. You run a business or work as an independent contractor and may see clearer rules about when the FTC will consider tougher enforcement. This guidance is meant to help regulated parties know what to expect when investigations happen.
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Key Dates
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