Law enforcement investigations into allegations of federal or white-collar crime are extremely aggressive. It is a common tactic of law enforcement agents to break down the door to your home, without warning, early in the morning, in order to execute a search warrant. This tactic is designed to disorient and frighten you and your family. Federal law enforcement agencies have almost unlimited resources to direct into criminal investigations. By the time you become aware that you or your business are under investigation, that process may already be at an advanced stage.
White-collar offenses are typically related to business, commercial, and financial enterprises. Offenses such as fraud, embezzlement, government procurement fraud, healthcare fraud, and public corruption and bribery are typically referred to as white-collar crimes because white-collar professionals are generally individuals who are targeted for investigation.
Due to the complex nature of these offenses and the potential risks and damage that can be wrought by conviction, it is crucial that anyone facing such charges contact a DC white-collar criminal defense lawyer. That lawyer will possess the skills and experience necessary for providing a strong defense against all of the offenses that fall within the category of white-collar crimes, which includes:
White-collar cases are often document-heavy and involve complex financial information. A DC white-collar criminal defense lawyer will have experience with the evidence and investigative tactics often seen in these criminal cases.
There are a myriad of law enforcement agencies that conduct investigations of potential white-collar crimes. Those agencies include but are not limited to, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Labor (DOL), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These agencies devote an enormous amount of money, manpower, and investigative techniques to their efforts.
Many offenses in DC, particularly serious felonies, may be brought against an individual in federal court. The federal court system is different from local DC Superior Court, requiring representation from a skilled DC federal criminal attorney who is admitted to practice in federal court. Although the District of Columbia is a city under federal control, crimes such as assault, robbery, and DUI are typically prosecuted as local crimes in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Local statutes govern these crimes, though the procedures and punishments are heavily influenced by federal law.
No matter what the alleged crime may entail, an aggressive DC federal criminal lawyer is essential if an individual finds themselves targeted by the federal government. We represent individuals accused in white-collar criminal cases, congressional investigations, federal criminal cases, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and RICO matters.
If you have been charged or are currently under investigation for such crimes, please click through to our contact page to schedule an office consultation.
Here is some information on the:
Case Process Investigations Common Federal Charges Steps to Take Before Hiring a Lawyer Federal Sentencing Guidelines Difference Between State and Federal CasesCase results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each case. Each case is different, and past results do not guarantee or predict favorable or similar results in future cases.
Read MoreFederal laws and the rules of criminal procedure are more complex than those of individual states. Federal prosecutors and federal law enforcement agents often conduct very thorough investigations. Moreover, those convicted of federal offenses face enhanced and stiff penalties. An experienced DC federal criminal lawyer who understands federal prosecutions and federal judges can offer the best help to protect the rights of accused individuals and work to attain the justice that they deserve.
When someone is facing serious federal or white-collar charges, they often ask who the best lawyer is. In truth, there is no best lawyer who fits under such a broad label. What you should be looking for is a DC white-collar lawyer who you believe is best suited to your case, and that can depend on a number of things. If you are facing federal charges, you will want to look for lawyers (or a law firm with lawyers) who are admitted to practice in federal court. Some criminal defense attorneys only practice at the state level.
It is extremely important to hire a DC white-collar criminal defense lawyer to defend you at the moment you believe you are under investigation. An attorney can immediately begin to act as a buffer between you and law enforcement agents and prosecutors. For example, if a search warrant is being executed, a federal white-collar criminal defense lawyer in DC will contact the lead law enforcement agent conducting the search and assert your constitutional right to remain silent and to an attorney. This prevents law enforcement agents from attempting to interview you, which is the primary reason search warrants are executed early in the morning without warning in order to disorient and isolate you, increasing the opportunity to obtain an interview without the benefit of advice from an experienced attorney. An attorney may also help to obtain other attorneys to represent members of your family or employees of your business that law enforcement agents might try to interview without the benefit of the advice of an attorney.
If you are first alerted to the existence of a criminal investigation because you have been served with a subpoena ordering you to produce documents, you should immediately contact a DC white-collar criminal attorney. There are important issues to consider in analyzing whether to and how to respond to a subpoena, and whether to file a motion to quash, or prevent the execution, of the subpoena.