Interpol Green Notice Attorneys
Experienced Lawyers Representing U.S. and Foreign Nationals Named in Interpol Green Notices
Team Lead
Contact NickAn Interpol Green Notice provides law enforcement authorities around the world with information about a person who is suspected of being involved in serious criminal activity. In most cases, individuals who have been named in Green Notices will only discover this when they come into contact with law enforcement authorities; and, at this stage, avoiding prosecution (or other consequences) can present significant challenges.
At Oberheiden P.C., our lawyers represent individuals named in Green Notices issued at the request of law enforcement authorities in the United States and all other Interpol member countries. If you have been named in a Green Notice, we can take appropriate legal action on your behalf immediately. If you are facing an investigation, this includes communicating with the relevant authorities, intervening in the investigative process, and working to steer the investigation toward a favorable resolution as efficiently and quietly as possible.
The Interpol Green Notice: A Tool for Monitoring, Tracking, and Stopping Criminal Activity
Being the subject of a Green Notice can present significant risks. As Interpol explains, the specific purpose of a Green Notice is, “to provide warning about a person’s criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety.” As a result, when Green Notices lead to prosecution (often with a Red Notice also being issued to facilitate an arrest warrant and extradition), targeted individuals can face serious criminal charges that carry enormous fines and decades of imprisonment.
Some examples of criminal allegations that can lead to the issuance of an Interpol Green Notice include:
- Bribery and Corruption – Law enforcement authorities in the U.S. and around the world use Green Notices to provide warnings about bribery and other corrupt practices. This includes corrupt practices involving partnerships and corporate entities, bureaucrats and government officials, and other individuals and organizations.
- Cybercrimes – Combating cybercrime often requires coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. In many cases, issuing a Green Notice is one of the first steps toward facilitating this coordination and executing a targeted takedown. International authorities use Green Notices to keep track of the whereabouts of suspected cybercriminals as well.
- Financial Crimes – Money laundering and other financial crimes are priorities for many of the Interpol member countries. Along with using subpoenas, sanctions, and other law enforcement tools, authorities in the U.S. and abroad frequently rely on Green Notices for international cooperation and set the stage for prosecuting financial crimes as well.
- Human Trafficking – Law enforcement agencies commonly use Green Notices to alert member countries and target human trafficking operations as well. By their nature, human trafficking investigations frequently cross multiple borders, and Green Notices allow agencies that have opened these investigations to secure assistance from their counterparts in other countries.
- Immigration Crimes – Investigations into suspected immigration crimes, including those involving suspected human trafficking, are frequently the impetus for Green Notices as well. Here too, securing international collaboration is often essential, and the Interpol notice protocol is designed specifically to serve this purpose.
- Organized Crime – Law enforcement agencies also frequently use Green Notices when seeking to combat or curtail organized crime. This includes, but is by no means limited to, targeting criminal organizations in human trafficking, cybercrime, and drug-related investigations.
- Terrorist Activities – Terrorist activities alert law enforcement agencies. These agencies may issue Green Notices both in response to specific concerns about terrorist activities and to identify suspected terrorists who may be traveling overseas.
Again, these are just examples. If you have been named in an Interpol Green Notice, it is critical not to make any assumptions about why this is the case. It is equally important not to make assumptions about the options you have available. Our Interpol attorneys can explain everything you need to know about International Criminal Law, and we can take all necessary and appropriate legal action on your behalf.
How to Handle an Interpol Green Notice
What you should do in response to Interpol notices depends on the specific circumstances at hand. In some cases, the best approach may be to file a request for removal with the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF). In others, it may be necessary to get ready to defend against a multi-agency international criminal investigation.
If You Think You Know Why You’ve Been Named in a Green Notice
If you already have a good idea why you have been named in an Interpol Green Notice, it will be important to confirm your suspicions before making any decisions about your next steps. Whether you may be at risk of facing a criminal investigation or you have been named in a Green Notice based on committed criminal offenses, you need to ensure that you are making informed decisions about how best to respond.
Our Interpol attorneys can confirm why you have been named in a Green Notice, and then we can advise you accordingly. If you are facing the early stages of an international criminal investigation, we can start building a defense strategy focused on resolving the investigation as favorably and quickly as possible. If you are facing the consequences of a Green Notice after having already served your sentence, you may be eligible to file a removal request with the CCF—and our attorneys can handle your request on your behalf.
If You Have No Idea Why You’ve Been Named in a Green Notice
If you have no idea why you’ve been named in an Interpol Green Notice, you need to be equally careful. While you could have been named in error, you could also be facing scrutiny from law enforcement authorities in one or more Interpol member countries. Here too, our attorneys can work quickly to find out why you have been named, and then we can help you chart your next steps based on the circumstances at hand.
In all cases, once you learn that you are the subject of an Interpol Green Notice, prompt action is essential. If you are facing scrutiny, your Green Notice could lead to the issuance of a Red Notice—and this could then lead to an arrest, extradition, and prosecution. Our Interpol attorneys are here to help you, and we encourage you to contact us 24/7 to arrange a confidential consultation as soon as possible.
Put our highly experienced team on your side
Dr. Nick Oberheiden
Founder
Attorney-at-Law
Lynette S. Byrd
Former DOJ Trial Attorney
Partner
Brian J. Kuester
Former U.S. Attorney
Hon. Kevin McCarthy
55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)
Government Consultant
Mike Pompeo
Of Counsel
Former U.S. Secretary of State
John W. Sellers
Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney
Linda Julin McNamara
Federal Appeals Attorney
Nicholas B. Johnson
Former Prosecutor
Roger Bach
Former Special Agent (DOJ)
Chris J. Quick
Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)
Michael S. Koslow
Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)
Ray Yuen
Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)
FAQs: Responding to an Interpol Green Notice and Seeking Legal Representation
What is an Interpol Green Notice?
Interpol issues Green Notices at the request of law enforcement authorities in its 196 member countries. The purpose of a Green Notice is to inform the international law enforcement community and criminal justice systems worldwide of a person’s criminal activities when the person is considered to be “a possible threat to public safety.” The United States and other Interpol member countries use Green Notices to share information about individuals suspected or convicted of corruption, cybercrimes, human trafficking, immigration-related crimes, organized crime, terrorist activities, and other serious offenses.
What Do I Need to Do if I’ve Been Named in an Interpol Green Notice?
If you have been named in an Interpol Green Notice, what you need to do depends on why you have been named. With this in mind, hiring an Interpol attorney to investigate your Green Notice should be your first priority. Once your attorney is able to discern why your Green Notice has been issued, then your attorney will be able to assess what risks you are facing and what options you have available.
What Are the Consequences of an Interpol Green Notice?
In many cases, the issuance of an Interpol Green Notice will lead to scrutiny from international law enforcement authorities, which can ultimately lead to a formal investigation, formal charges, and criminal prosecution in the international criminal court. However, even if you are not at risk of facing prosecution (i.e., because you have already been convicted), your Green Notice could still have consequences including travel restrictions, reconsideration of your immigration status, and significant negative publicity.
How Do I Challenge an Interpol Green Notice?
Challenging a Green Notice involves filing a request with the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF). Before you contact the CCF, however, it is critical to ensure that this is a safe option under the circumstances at hand. Our Interpol attorneys can help you decide whether you should challenge your Green Notice; and, if so, we can deal with the CCF on your behalf.
Do I Need an Attorney if I Have an Interpol Green Notice?
Due to the potential risks involved, we strongly recommend that you consult with an attorney if you are the subject of an Interpol Green Notice. You may need to take action promptly to protect yourself. At Oberheiden P.C., we provide complimentary initial consultations, and we are more than happy to provide you with the insights you need to make informed decisions about your next steps.
Discuss Your Green Notice with an Interpol Attorney at Oberheiden P.C. in Confidence
If you need to know more about what to do after being named in an Interpol Green Notice, we invite you to get in touch. To speak with a senior Interpol attorney at Oberheiden P.C. in confidence as soon as possible, call us at 888-680-1745 or request a complimentary consultation online now.
