California Federal Criminal Defense Lawyer (FBI, OIG, IRS, DEA)
Respected California Federal Criminal Defense Lawyers defending your rights in all FBI, OIG, IRS, & DEA matters
We provide full-service defense representation for licensed practitioners, executives, healthcare practices, and other individuals and businesses in federal criminal matters. If your business is under investigation or if you are facing criminal charges, our California federal criminal defense lawyers can protect you.
What are your options if you are under investigation by the federal government? What do you need to do if you have been charged with a federal crime? These are not easy questions to answer. But, if you get the answers wrong, you could face consequences for the rest of your life.
At Oberheiden, P.C., we bring certainty to the process of defending against allegations of federal crimes. We handle all types of white-collar federal cases, with particular emphasis on matters involving allegations of healthcare fraud, prescription drug fraud, prescription drug fraud, mail and wire fraud, and other similar offenses. Our defense team is comprised of highly experienced federal lawyers and former prosecutors with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and we handle cases throughout California involving the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and other agencies.
Are You Being Targeted in an FBI, OIG, IRS, or DEA Investigation in California?
When facing a federal criminal investigation or charges for a federal criminal offense, it is imperative that you engage with a highly experienced California federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At Oberheiden, P.C., we have office locations around the country, including two locations in California, and our attorneys are capable of responding immediately to the demands of our clients’ federal cases. Whether you just found out that you are being targeted by federal prosecutors or you waited too long and now you have been formally charged, we can defend you. Our attorneys will utilize trial-tested defense strategies to secure a favorable outcome as quickly and discreetly as possible.
Healthcare providers, business executives, in-house attorneys, and other clients in California and nationwide trust the federal criminal defense lawyers at Oberheiden, P.C., when their futures are on the line. Here are just some of the reasons why:
- We Work Hard to Secure Quick and Discreet Outcomes – If you are facing a federal investigation or federal charges, we know that you want to secure a favorable outcome as quickly and discreetly as possible. We understand this, and we will use our experience and unique team approach to make it happen.
- We Know What It Takes to Prevent Charges or Obtain an Acquittal – With decades of experience on both sides of federal criminal matters, we know what it takes to prevent charges or obtain an acquittal. We have resolved the vast majority of our clients’ investigations without criminal charges being filed, and we have been successful in securing acquittals both before and during trial.
- We Focus Our Practice on Federal Defense – Our firm’s practice is devoted to representing clients in federal matters. This includes civil and criminal cases. And in many circumstances, we focus on keeping our clients’ cases civil in nature. But, if you are facing a criminal investigation or if you have been criminally charged, you can rest assured that our attorneys have been there before.
- We Have Decades of Experience in Thousands of Cases Across the Country – Our attorneys have handled high-stakes and high-profile federal cases in jurisdictions across the country. This includes Northern and Southern California, and it includes cases at the investigative, pretrial, trial, and appellate stages.
- We Custom-Tailor Our Defense Strategies for Each Individual Case – We are not a cookie-cutter law firm, and we do not offer cookie-cutter defense strategies. When we represent you, our federal defense team will develop and execute a custom-tailored defense strategy focused on the unique facts of your particular case.
Are You Under Investigation or Facing Federal Criminal Charges in California?
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Regardless of the current status of your case or the severity of the allegations against you, when you engage Oberheiden, P.C., our California federal criminal defense lawyers will act quickly to preserve all available defenses and make sure you are not putting yourself at risk for federal prosecution. We handle all types of federal criminal investigations and prosecutions throughout California, including (but not limited to) those involving allegations of:
- Healthcare Fraud
- Federal Drug Charges
- Tax Violations
- Bank Fraud, Insurance Fraud, and Securities Fraud
- Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud
- Theft, Counterfeiting, and Embezzlement
- Money Laundering
- Public Corruption and Bribery
- Internet and Computer Crimes
- Conspiracy and Attempt
- Other White-Collar Crimes
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Dr. Nick Oberheiden
Founder
Attorney-at-Law
Lynette S. Byrd
Former Department of Justice
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Former DA
John W. Sellers
Former Senior Trial Attorney
U.S. Department of Justice
Local Counsel
Joanne Fine DeLena
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Joe Brown
Former U.S. Attorney & Former District Attorney
Local Trial & Defense Counsel
Amanda Marshall
Former U.S. Attorney
Local Counsel
Aaron L. Wiley
Former Federal Prosecutor
Local Counsel
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (OIG)
Michael Koslow
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Chris Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
Why Is My Business or Practice Being Targeted by the…
…Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigates a broad range of alleged criminal conduct. From computer and internet crimes to public corruption, if there is reason to suspect that you may have committed (or may currently be involved in a conspiracy to commit) a federal crime, there is a decent chance that the FBI will be involved in your investigation.
…Office of Inspector General (OIG)?
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is the law enforcement division of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). It is responsible for: “protect[ing] the integrity of [DHHS] programs as well as the health and welfare of program beneficiaries,” which primarily involves targeting healthcare providers and other industry players in Medicare and Medicaid fraud investigations.
…Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) collects your taxes, and it will try to put you in federal prison if you don’t pay. Most people don’t realize it, but the IRS has a criminal enforcement division that aggressively pursues individuals and businesses suspected of underreporting and underpaying their federal income tax obligations. In addition to targeting individuals and businesses directly, the IRS also routinely gets involved in large-scale federal fraud investigations involving the FBI, OIG, and other agencies.
…Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)?
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) targets healthcare providers and other entities suspected of engaging in prescription drug diversion and other violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act. Criminal DEA investigations can have extreme consequences, and healthcare providers (and other individuals and businesses) targeted in these investigations must be prepared to fully commit themselves to their defense.
FAQs: Defending against Federal Criminal Charges in California
Q: What should I do if the FBI shows up at my house?
Little, if anything can be gained by speaking with federal agents without having an attorney present. While it may seem unethical, law enforcement agents do not need to be truthful when talking about an open investigation with someone they suspect of a crime. Thus, FBI agents will often try to put you at ease in hopes of getting you to talk about the case. However, words that are spoken cannot be taken back and may create criminal liability where there was none before. Thus, if FBI agents or other federal law enforcement agents come to your home or business asking questions, you should politely ask them to leave and immediately call a California federal criminal defense attorney.
Q: What is a grand jury subpoena?
When federal prosecutors want to bring charges against someone, they cannot do so without first empaneling a grand jury. A grand jury is a group of ordinary citizens who listen to the prosecutor’s case and determine if there is probable cause to believe the subject committed the crimes in question. A grand jury subpoena is how federal prosecutors gather evidence. They issue grand jury subpoenas to those who have information relevant to their investigation as well as those whom they intend to call as witnesses at the grand jury proceeding. While the receipt of a grand jury subpoena does not necessarily mean you are under investigation, that possibility cannot be ruled out. Thus, discussing your situation with a knowledgeable California federal criminal defense attorney is the best course of action to protect your interests.
Q: What evidence can the government use against me at trial?
Typically, federal prosecutors will try to use any and all evidence that is favorable to their case against you at trial. However, this does not mean that they will be able to do so. Under the U.S. Constitution, law enforcement agents must respect the rights of suspects during their investigation. Thus, if federal agents conducted an illegal search of your home or business or took a statement from you without providing you with the necessary warnings, a skilled California federal criminal defense attorney may be able to successfully keep the evidence in question out of trial through a motion to suppress. To learn more about the admissibility of evidence in your case, contact a respected California federal criminal defense attorney.
Q: If I am still under investigation, should I hire a defense lawyer?
Yes, absolutely. Defending yourself during the investigative process is the best way to mitigate your risk of conviction, penalties, and long-term reputational harm. Oftentimes, federal investigations will be well-intentioned but severely misguided, and unveiling the government’s flawed assumptions and methodologies can save you from substantial unnecessary costs, stress, and business interruptions.
Q: Should I try to negotiate a plea agreement or take the case to trial?
A plea agreement should be a last resort, not a first option. When you seek a plea agreement from a federal prosecutor, you are telling them that you are guilty and want to work out a deal. This affirms the prosecutor’s already strong belief that you are guilty, and removes any incentive for them to look at the weaknesses of their own case. Instead, contact a California federal criminal defense attorney to develop a comprehensive defense strategy. Your attorney will look into all defenses, and whether any evidence that the prosecution intends to rely on is inadmissible. Your lawyer can then approach the prosecutor with this information, which may change their perspective. So, while it may be that you end up entering a plea agreement down the road, that shouldn’t be your goal from the outset.
Q: What can a California federal criminal defense attorney do to help my case?
Federal investigations are much more involved than those in state court. Often, prosecutors spend months, if not longer, working up a case before convening a grand jury. If you learn that you are the subject of an investigation, an attorney can reach out to federal prosecutors well in advance of an indictment in hopes of eliminating you as a subject. A skilled California federal criminal defense attorney can also identify any weaknesses in the government’s case and may use this knowledge to either defeat the case or at least secure a more favorable plea agreement. A California federal criminal defense attorney can also offer their services in presenting a compelling case of mitigation at a sentencing hearing in the event that the evidence against you is overwhelming.
Speak with our California Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys at Oberheiden, P.C.
To discuss your federal criminal case in California with the defense team at Oberheiden, P.C., call us 24/7 at 888-680-1745 or contact us online. Our California federal criminal defense attorneys will schedule your free and confidential case assessment as soon as possible; and, if necessary, our attorneys can take action immediately to protect you.
Other state pages can be found here.
Additional Pages for California
- California False Claims Act & Qui Tam defense
- California federal grand jury subpoena defense
- California healthcare fraud defense
- California hospice & home health fraud defense
- California medical license defense
- California Medicare fraud defense
- California Medicare penalties
- California Workers Compensation Fraud Defense
- Southern California federal criminal defense
- Southern California healthcare fraud defense
- Anaheim federal criminal defense
- Anaheim healthcare fraud defense
- Bakersfield federal criminal defense
- Fresno federal criminal defense
- Fresno healthcare fraud defense
- Irvine federal criminal defense
- Irvine healthcare fraud defense
- Long Beach federal criminal defense
- Oakland federal criminal defense
- Oakland healthcare fraud defense
- Orange County False Claims Act & Qui Tam defense
- Orange County federal criminal defense
- Orange County healthcare fraud defense
- Orange County healthcare compliance
- Orange County hospice & home health fraud defense
- Orange County Medicare fraud defense
- Riverside federal criminal defense
- Riverside healthcare fraud defense
- Sacramento federal criminal defense
- Sacramento healthcare fraud defense
- San Francisco federal criminal defense
- San Francisco healthcare fraud defense
- San Jose federal criminal defense
- San Jose healthcare fraud defense
- Santa Ana federal criminal defense
- Santa Ana healthcare fraud defense
- Silicon Valley white collar crime defense