DOJ International Investigations

Experienced Legal Representation for Investigations Involving the DOJ’s Office of International Affairs (OIA)

Our lawyers provide experienced legal representation for individuals and organizations that are facing international investigations involving the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and its foreign counterparts. International criminal law enforcement investigations can pose substantial risks, and an informed, strategic, and proactive defense is critical for avoiding unnecessary consequences.

Attorney Nick OberheidenInternational Litigation Team Lead

Individuals and entities targeted in international criminal investigations need highly experienced legal representation. These are high-risk matters that often involve senior law enforcement personnel in the United States and other countries around the world. In these cases, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) frequently works with both domestic and foreign partners to gather evidence, substantiate charges, and pursue sweeping criminal prosecutions in U.S. federal court.

Our international criminal defense lawyers represent clients that are facing scrutiny from the DOJ and other agencies in the U.S. and abroad. We have extensive experience providing legal advice and representation regarding the international aspects of the DOJ’s law enforcement efforts. With a defense team that includes former DOJ prosecutors, we are able to provide valuable assistance and strategic guidance for all matters involving domestic and foreign authorities.

The OIA Coordinates the DOJ Criminal Division’s Cooperation with International Law Enforcement Agencies

The DOJ’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) coordinates the Department’s law enforcement efforts with foreign governments and foreign officials. It maintains international relationships with its counterparts in countries around the world—including (but not limited to) other United Nations and INTERPOL member nations.

Among other things, the OIA works with its international partners in foreign law enforcement to:

Secure foreign evidence
Detain individuals in foreign countries
Pursue extradition requests

Foreign relations play a critical role in the DOJ’s international law enforcement efforts. From efforts to substantiate charges under U.S. federal statutes to efforts to lawfully remove criminals sought for prosecution in the U.S. courts, the DOJ relies heavily on its vast network of foreign law enforcement partners when necessary. As a result, international investigations can be both extremely high-risk and extremely complex, and this makes it imperative for targeted individuals and entities to have experienced international defense counsel.

International Investigations Involving the DOJ Can Target a Wide Range of Alleged Crimes

Our lawyers represent clients that are facing international investigations targeting all types of federal crimes. This includes (but is not limited to) DOJ international investigations targeting:

Money Laundering and Financial Crimes

Multiple task forces within the DOJ target international money laundering and other cross-border financial crimes. These crimes carry substantial penalties, and they are priority enforcement areas for both federal and state prosecutors. While international investigations are often triggered by financial reporting anomalies, the DOJ and its international partners can gather additional evidence through various means.

Organized Crime

Targeting organized crime groups is a priority enforcement area as well. This includes drug cartels and other criminal organizations. From Mexico City to other major cities around the world, our lawyers provide legal and strategic guidance for leaders of alleged criminal organizations worldwide.

Transnational Crimes

The DOJ’s OIA assists with obtaining transactional evidence for investigations spanning across the globe. In today’s world, transactional crimes can take numerous forms (including cybercrime and intellectual property theft, among many others), and law enforcement authorities around the world are doing their best to keep pace. Along with the DOJ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively involved in investigating transnational crimes as well, and the FBI has more than 250 agents stationed worldwide for international operations, and its law enforcement attaché program covers more than 180 countries.

Violent Crimes

The DOJ’s OIA works with its foreign counterparts to pursue extradition of violent criminals sought for prosecution in the U.S. as well. This includes pursuing extradition of individuals wanted for murder, sexual assault, and other serious violent offenses.

International Relations and Treaty Matters

Along with these types of matters, the DOJ also works with law enforcement authorities in other countries in connection with various other international relations and treaty matters. This includes matters such as:

Extraterritorial jurisdiction matters
Matters involving mutual legal assistance treaties
Extradition to the U.S. and foreign countries

If the DOJ is targeting you or your organization in an international investigation involving any allegations under U.S. federal law, our lawyers can provide the advice and representation you need. While there are no guarantees, we have a proven record of success in these cases, and we have resolved the vast majority of our clients’ investigations without criminal charges being filed.

Our International Defense Lawyers Have Prior Experience Within DOJ Leadership

At Oberheiden P.C., the lawyers in our international criminal defense practice include former senior DOJ attorneys. As a result, we are intimately familiar with how the DOJ pursues investigations both in the U.S. and abroad. We rely on these insights to provide strategic legal representation to our clients—from intervening in cross-border investigations and challenging international subpoenas to positioning cases for favorable pre-charge resolutions.

How Our International Defense Lawyers Can Help During a Cross-Border Investigation

Our international defense lawyers assist with all matters related to cross-border law enforcement investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). If you or your organization is the target of an international investigation, we can:

Immediately Intervene in the Investigation – As soon as you engage our law firm, our lawyers will be able to intervene in the investigation. Prompt intervention can be critical for mitigating the risks involved and ensuring that you do not face unnecessary consequences.
Assess the Domestic and International Law Enforcement Risks Involved – Once we intervene, we can determine the nature and scope of the risks at hand. This includes assessing the risk of facing prosecution by the DOJ as well as the risk of facing international sanctions, law enforcement action, or prosecution.
Interface with the DOJ and Other Governmental Authorities – Our lawyers can interface with the DOJ and other governmental authorities on your behalf going forward. We will handle all communications directly, and we will make clear that all law enforcement inquiries and requests should be directed to our law firm.

This is just the beginning. We have experience handling all other aspects of international criminal investigations, and we fight to protect our clients in U.S. federal courts across the country when necessary. We can assist with United Nations (UN), INTERPOL, U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), and other international law enforcement matters as well.

FAQs: International Investigations Involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

When does the DOJ conduct international investigations?

The DOJ conducts international investigations focused on combating drug trafficking, human trafficking, corruption, and other types of transactional organized crime. It conducts international investigations targeting large-scale financial crimes as well. Since these investigations necessarily involve the devotion of substantial government resources (both in the U.S. and abroad), the DOJ takes them extremely seriously, and executing an effective defense requires highly experienced legal counsel.

Do I need an international criminal law firm if I am being investigated by the DOJ’s International Affairs Office (OIA)?

Yes, if you are being investigated by the DOJ’s International Affairs Office (OIA), you should engage an experienced international criminal law firm promptly. You could be facing a wide range of potential charges depending on the circumstances involved; and, if you are currently residing outside of the United States, you could be at risk of facing extradition. Our lawyers can help regardless of the circumstances at hand, and we will rely on our experience to target a favorable resolution as efficiently and quietly as possible.

What are the risks of facing an international criminal investigation involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)?

International criminal investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) can pose risks for substantial fines, imprisonment in the United States, and various other sanctions. Regardless of where you are located, if you are facing scrutiny from the DOJ, you need experienced legal representation.

Does the DOJ handle matters involving INTERPOL notices and United Nations (UN) sanctions?

Yes, the DOJ routinely handles matters involving INTERPOL notices and United Nations (UN) sanctions. If you have been named in an INTERPOL Red Notice or Blue Notice, or if you are the subject of an INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice and you are a U.S. citizen or you are currently located in the United States, you should consult with an experienced U.S. federal defense lawyer immediately.

Do I need to hire a large law firm for an international criminal investigation?

A law firm’s size is far less important than its lawyers’ experience. At Oberheiden P.C., we maintain a niche practice focused on high-stakes federal criminal defense. Several of our lawyers previously served in high-ranking roles within the DOJ, and all of our defense lawyers have senior-level experience in high-stakes federal cases.

Speak with a Senior International Criminal Defense Lawyer at Oberheiden P.C.

If you need to know more about defending against an international investigation involving the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), we strongly encourage you to contact us right away. To speak with a senior international criminal defense lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. in strict confidence as soon as possible, call 888-680-1745 or get in touch online now.

Related Pages:

INTERPOL Defense

Federal Agency International Enforcement

Defense for US Citizens Abroad

Crisis Response & Family Resources