Seattle White Collar Crime Attorneys
Criminal Defense Team Lead
Contact Nick directlyAny federal investigation can bring your life and business to a complete stop. Your focus must turn away from your daily activities to defending yourself against serious criminal charges. In many cases, even an accusation of criminal wrongdoing can cause significant harm to your reputation and livelihood. A federal conviction can mean astronomical fines, lengthy prison sentences, and other sanctions that can affect you for the rest of your life. For that reason, you need an effective federal white-collar criminal defense strategy to avoid serious consequences.
At Oberheiden P.C., our team of white-collar defense lawyers will provide you with an unmatched level of dedication and experience for your criminal case. We have a high level of experience handling these complex crimes, meaning we know what to expect in these types of cases. With that, we can create strong defense strategies tailored to our client’s unique case. Many of our senior attorneys have worked in the Department of Justice and other federal agencies, often prosecuting similar cases. With that, you will have access to valuable insight when it comes time to choose the best legal option in your situation.
Common Types of White-Collar Crimes
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, white-collar crime covers a wide range of financial-based crimes. These crimes often involve misleading or intentionally false statements to advance a person’s financial interests. Federal prosecutors can bring charges against individuals, organizations, and corporations. We have experience handling these types of cases, including the following:
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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)
Embezzlement
When someone fraudulently appropriates property or funds entrusted to them, then it may be considered embezzlement. Unlike other types of theft cases, these individuals have access to the misappropriated property. For example, if a cashier accepts cash for an item, fails to ring up the purchase, and keeps the money, they may have committed the crime of embezzlement.
Forgery
Forgery crimes involve falsifying documents with the intention of defrauding a person or another individual. You can be charged with forgery whether the victim is a government entity, individual, organization, or financial institution. The most common types of forgery crimes include forged checks. However, making any falsified statements on a legal document can lead to a charge of forgery.
Healthcare Fraud
Any action that intends to improperly obtain funds from a federal healthcare benefit program or private insurance company is often considered healthcare fraud. In the United States, there are many healthcare fraud statutes, including the Stark Law, Anti Kickback Statute, and the False Claims Act. In some cases, healthcare fraud violations are pursued in a civil court, but federal prosecutors will look to bring criminal charges against the accused party. At Oberheiden P.C., our healthcare fraud lawyers have experience defending nursing homes, practitioners, hospitals, hospice care centers, and practice groups against these federal charges.
Bank Fraud
When someone makes a false statement with the intention of defrauding a financial institution, that is considered bank fraud. For example, if an individual provides a misleading or false statement on a loan application or forges a signature on a financial document, those actions are all forms of bank fraud. In many cases, a conviction of bank fraud will carry the potential penalties of $1 million in fines and 30 years in federal prison for a single offense.
Wire and Mail Fraud
In many cases, wire and mail fraud occur in conjunction with other white-collar crimes. These criminal actions can happen over the phone, through the mail, or over the internet. Since these means are used to carry out these offenses, mail and wire fraud charges are common accusations from federal prosecutors. Sometimes, the prosecutors will add a charge of wire or mail fraud to other criminal charges. They hope with the additional charges that the individual will consider pleading guilty. However, working with an experienced federal criminal defense can help to successfully defend against all federal charges, including those hefty mail and wire fraud accusations.
Securities Fraud
Another broad term in the federal white-collar field is securities fraud. Any fraudulent action by financial firms, brokers, or advisors can fall into this category, with investors as the victims. In many cases, the investors will contact the Security and Exchange Commission to complain about the individuals’ professional conduct. With that, a comprehensive investigation is conducted into their personal and professional business practices. Some examples of securities fraud include pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, inadequate risk disclosures, pump-and-dump schemes, inappropriate investments, and offshore investing opportunities.
Mortgage Fraud
Making a false statement on an application can lead to a federal mortgage fraud charge. Some of the most common examples include misstating debts, appraisal fraud, and inflating income.
No matter the type of white-collar criminal charges, the federal criminal defense lawyers at Oberheiden P.C. are ready to help.
Why Choose Oberheiden P.C. for Legal Representation
Federal criminal prosecutions are very different from those found at the state level. Once you have been charged, federal prosecutors have already built a solid case against you. Along with that, the prosecutor has convinced a grand jury there is strong evidence that you have committed these crimes.
As you may have imagined, your criminal defense is now several steps behind those federal prosecutors. When you learn of a federal white-collar criminal investigation, you need to reach out to an experienced attorney to handle your case.
At Oberheiden P.C., we believe our law firm is a step above the others in the area. You can build a strong defense against these accusations by taking immediate action. Our team will not “wait and see” what the prosecutors will use in court against you. Instead, our experienced senior attorneys will reach out to the federal prosecutors to gain a full understanding of the accusations and evidence in the case.
With that experience and knowledge, we have been able to have our clients’ charges dropped. As a result, our clients can see an end to the investigation before it does damage to their reputation and business. Our legal team consists of senior attorneys and experienced law enforcement investigators who will work tirelessly on your case. They understand how the federal criminal court system works and how the government builds cases against businesses and individuals. With that knowledge, you may be able to get an acquittal or a complete dismissal of charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do All White-Collar Crimes Carry the Possibility of Prison Time?
Many individuals are concerned about spending years in federal prison with a conviction. All these crimes do have the possibility of prison terms. Any federal conviction can seriously affect your business operations and personal reputation. With your freedom at risk, taking these charges very seriously is crucial. Anyone facing a white-collar criminal charge should reach out to a reputable federal defense law firm. At Oberheiden P.C., we can help you craft a defense strategy that may help you avoid the strictest consequences involving these charges.
Will Working With Prosecutors Mean a Lighter Sentence?
Often, white-collar criminal prosecutions will end with a plea agreement. In those situations, the defendant acknowledges some responsibility for a lesser offense. As a result, the individual will serve a lighter sentence. However, working with federal prosecutors does not always mean you are eligible for a light sentence. Also, many defendants feel they must plead guilty to a crime they did not commit over the fear of a potential conviction. Unfortunately, most people think they have no other options, and a guilty plea will avoid a harsh sentence. If you are ready to take a plea deal, you must first consult with an experienced Seattle federal criminal defense attorney.
The attorneys at Oberheiden P.C. never want you to feel like you have to take a deal to avoid a conviction. You do have options. Some less experienced attorneys are not confident or prepared to handle these cases. Our legal team will take an in-depth look at your choices and determine your best course of action. Typically, we can find holes in the prosecutor’s case that could lead to a more favorable outcome for you.
Do I Have To Talk To a Federal Agent?
No. If you talk to a federal agent, you could provide them with information that can complete their investigation, leading to charges against you. Usually, federal agents will not talk to a subject of an investigation because it could be a tip to destroy evidence or speak to potential witnesses. When a federal agent comes to your door, they need more information to bring criminal charges against you. You will want to decline and schedule a phone call with the white-collar defense attorneys at Oberheiden P.C.
When Is the Best Time To Hire a Defense Lawyer?
You need to talk to an experienced legal defense team when you know about an investigation. By hiring Oberheiden P.C., we will start to work on your case immediately, protecting your legal rights every step of the way. You always want to hire a legal team as soon as possible to start the process of building a solid defense against these federal charges.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Whether you are under investigation or currently facing a federal white-collar crime charge in Seattle, Washington, you need to contact Oberheiden P.C. Our experienced lawyers are here to answer your questions and discuss your case. We will work to help build a solid defense strategy against your federal charges. You can schedule a consultation by calling 888-680-1745 or filling out our online contact form.