San Francisco White Collar Crime Attorneys
Criminal Defense Team Lead
Contact Nick directlyKnowing that you are facing a federal white-collar criminal charge can devastate you and your business. A conviction would mean years in prison, civil penalties, and hefty fines. For these reasons, you need a federal legal defense attorney to protect your rights and livelihood. The white-collar defense lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. represent and defend corporations and individuals against these serious allegations in San Francisco and across the country.
Is Oberheiden P.C. Different from Other Criminal Defense Firms?
When you need a reputable federal defense firm, Oberheiden P.C. differs from the others in the San Francisco, California area. Here are the three main reasons Oberheiden P.C. separates itself from other white-collar criminal defense firms.
- We exclusively handle only federal cases
- Our lawyers and investigators have experience with these charges
- All federal legal cases are handled by senior lawyers
We Are a Federal Criminal Defense Law Firm
Most criminal cases are filed at the state level, with district attorneys or state prosecutors handling them. Many of these criminal statutes are state laws, which state appellate courts often interpret. While some may believe these cases are similar to federal criminal laws, that is not true. State defense attorneys may convince clients that they can defend the case, but the rules are different in these federal courts. With federal criminal cases, a lawyer must defend against the full resources of the government. Along with facing the toughest prosecutors, defense lawyers are also going up against the world’s most powerful law enforcement agencies.
Also, the costs of the convictions are higher than those found at the state level. In many cases, a guilty verdict means the defendant will have to spend decades in federal prison, pay significant penalties, and experience damage to their reputation. With all that on the line, finding a legal team familiar with the federal court system and these types of cases is crucial.
All of these federal offenses are defined by the United States Code. While a defense lawyer may have experience with state laws, these federal white-collar cases are prosecuted under different rules. There may be subtle differences in how laws are interpreted and applied to a case. When you hire an experienced federal criminal defense law firm, these professionals do not have to learn the intricacies of the court system or how to apply the laws to your case. Our lawyers exclusively work and handle cases in the federal court system.
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)
Our Investigators and Lawyers Have Extensive Professional Backgrounds
Many law firms tout their experience with these types of cases within the city. At Oberheiden P.C., we pride ourselves on giving you the best federal white-collar criminal defense strategy. All our attorneys have experience prosecuting or defending these crimes, often working for agencies investigating you. With former professionals in the federal justice system, you have access to some invaluable insight for your case.
Additionally, our support staff of professional investigators will gather evidence about your situation and determine the facts, not basing the case on what the federal authorities have stated. In many cases, our investigators are retired professionals from these agencies. They use their years of experience to determine the facts in cases like yours.
Only Senior Attorneys Work on Your Case
Some law firms have lawyers on staff with experience defending federal cases, but that doesn’t mean you can have access to them or their knowledge. Junior associates and paralegals handle much of the legal research, meaning inexperienced legal professionals will work on your case. This is not the time to be a learning opportunity for junior lawyers. When you hire our federal criminal defense law firm, our attorneys and investigators understand the seriousness of the charges and will work tirelessly to defend your rights.
By hiring Oberheiden P.C., we will represent you against federal criminal charges in California and across the country. You will have access to a senior attorney throughout the entire process, not just on the eve of your trial. When you call our firm, all calls go directly to our senior legal professionals. You will get a straightforward answer from someone handling your case, not a person who will pass on a message. With that, you can have complete confidence in your federal legal defense team.
What Federal Crimes Can You Defend Against?
If you face federal criminal charges or are the subject of a government investigation, you need to call a white-collar crime attorney for help. In these cases, reach out to Oberheiden P.C. immediately. Our senior attorneys have defended clients against federal criminal charges, including:
- Bank Fraud and Embezzlement
- Corporate Fraud
- Computer Offenses
- Corruption and Bribery
- Environmental Offenses
- Federal Drug Conspiracy
- Federal Procurement Fraud
- Federal Program Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Healthcare Fraud
- Insurance Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Tax Fraud
- Theft of Government Property
- Terrorism Charges
When you face a federal criminal charge, you want to have experienced legal representation. There are no second chances in the federal court system, meaning your defense team needs to get it right the first time. The best legal team will protect your rights and interests from the start of the case to the end. Federal criminal cases need to be defended by a reputable legal team of attorneys and investigators with a proven track record defending against these allegations.
At Oberheiden P.C., our white-collar crime lawyers all have prestigious backgrounds within the Justice Department, including working as Trial Attorneys, Assistant United States Attorneys, and Criminal Trial Chiefs at the federal level. As a result, they have first-hand knowledge about how the government builds a case against a defendant.
FAQs About Oberheiden P.C. and Our White-Collar Criminal Defense Team
What Are a Few Penalties for a White-Collar Criminal Conviction?
Depending on the specific offense, the potential penalties can vary. Plus, if you have any prior criminal convictions in your background, those past crimes can also come into play. A previous conviction could drastically increase the penalties for a federal conviction. White-collar crimes can range from hefty fines to decades in prison. For example, mail fraud can potentially carry a 20-year federal prison sentence. Almost all these crimes are felonies, and they carry a minimum of one year behind bars. Along with prison time, there are also steep criminal fines, restitution payments to victims, and a probation requirement after spending time in prison.
Can White-Collar Crimes Lead To Civil Penalties?
Yes. Many attorneys will focus on the criminal side of the case, often ignoring the civil penalties that can result from the investigation. Generally, law enforcement agencies can pursue civil or criminal charges against a defendant. For example, a civil investigation involving misuse of federal money can turn into a criminal fraud case if evidence shows the defendant intended to defraud victims. In some cases, federal investigators may think you are involved in illegal activity, but they might not have the evidence to get a conviction in court. Unfortunately, many defendants feel that a criminal trial puts an end to their legal troubles, but that is often not the case. Many times, federal prosecutors will pivot toward a civil lawsuit. Our federal criminal lawyers will defend you against all charges, whether in a criminal or civil case.
Will Showing a Lack of Intent Lead To a Dismissal of Criminal Charges?
Typically, white-collar crimes will need to show proof of specific intent, such as the intent to defraud an individual or corporation. While you may think that a lack of intent will lead to a full dismissal of charges, that is not always the case. Since law enforcement can pursue a case at the civil level, intent is not required as an element of liability. A lack of intent could help defend you in a criminal case, but it can open you up to the possibility of civil penalties.
When Should I Hire a Defense Lawyer?
Whether you are facing charges or under investigation, you need an experienced federal defense team on your side immediately. Once you hire our law firm, we will go to work to protect your legal rights, livelihood, and reputation. Getting a legal team on board as soon as possible will make sure you have a strong case to defend against these charges.
Why Doesn’t Oberheiden P.C. Call Itself the Best Federal White-Collar Defense Firm?
We believe that our experienced lawyers and investigators have the track record that backs up their reputation. All legal team members have extensive backgrounds working on both the defense and prosecution side of white-collar cases. Even our investigators have experience working for the same federal agencies pursuing charges against you. Together, our team has successfully defended numerous clients against allegations of white-collar crime across the United States.
Contact Oberheiden P.C. When You Need a Federal White-Collar Defense in San Francisco
You need to find the right legal representation for your case if you are under investigation for a white-collar crime or are facing charges involving a criminal offense. At this stage, you need to work with a reputable team of senior attorneys and experienced investigators to handle your federal criminal case. Reach out to our experienced federal white-collar defense lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. by filling out the online form or calling them at 888-680-1745.