Boston Federal Criminal Defense Attorneys
Experienced Federal Defense Attorneys Representing Boston Healthcare Providers, Business Owners, and Other Clients in Civil and Criminal Matters
53 State Street Suite 500
Boston, MA, 02109
617-202-2912
For healthcare providers, business owners, and other targets in Boston, defending against federal allegations presents unique challenges. The federal agents and prosecutors handling your case could easily be among the most experienced and most skilled in the country, and the risks of facing prosecution in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts can be substantial. If you are going to turn the tables in your favor, you are going to need experienced legal representation. At Oberheiden, P.C., our federal defense attorneys are highly experienced with handling federal civil and criminal cases, having prosecuted and defended against high-profile federal white-collar cases across the country. Regardless of the nature of the allegations against you, if you are being targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or any other federal agency, you need to take defensive action to avoid costly consequences. Our Boston federal criminal defense attorneys are available 24/7, and we are able to provide defense representation on an emergency basis if necessary.
Why Individuals and Businesses in Boston Choose Oberheiden, P.C. for Federal Defense
Boston, Massachusetts is a hub of innovation, and it is home to several of the best medical facilities – and doctors – in the country. While this means that many companies and professional practices built in Boston enjoy a nationwide reputation, it also means that Boston is a prime location for federal white-collar law enforcement. From healthcare fraud and securities fraud to money laundering and tax evasion, federal prosecutors aggressively pursue charges for a broad range of offenses in order to send a message to others in Boston’s business and healthcare communities. While facing liability for civil monetary penalties or being convicted of a federal crime can have substantial – and potentially business-threatening or practice-threatening – consequences, you don’t have to face charges in order to feel the effects of a federal investigation. Simply being targeted by federal authorities can cause immediate reputational harm; and, for licensed professionals, federal allegations can lead to disciplinary licensing action even if your alleged conduct does not rise to the level of a federal crime. At Oberheiden, P.C., our Boston federal criminal defense lawyers understand the risks involved in facing a federal investigation or a grand jury indictment, and we tailor our representation accordingly. Our practice is committed to federal defense, and we offer the following benefits to each of our clients:
- Representation by Former Federal Prosecutors – Our federal defense team includes former DOJ prosecutors, former U.S. Attorneys, and former Assistant U.S. Attorneys who each held long tenures with the federal government before entering private practice at Oberheiden, P.C.
- Representation by Senior Federal Defense Attorneys – Our team is comprised entirely of senior attorneys who work collaboratively to build and execute effective defense strategies for our clients. Unlike other firms, we do not employ any junior associates or paralegals.
- 24/7 Accessibility and Prompt Responsiveness – We make a point of being accessible to our clients day and night. Our attorneys will be available to you by phone, text, and email, and all messages will be returned as promptly as possible.
- Emergency and Around-the-Clock Representation When Necessary – When necessary, our attorneys are available to provide emergency and round-the-clock representation. When we accept responsibility as your legal counsel, we are committing to doing what it takes to defend you.
- A Nationwide Reputation for Effective Federal Defense Representation – As a result of our attorneys’ experience and our firm’s success record, we have earned a national reputation as go-to federal defense counsel for white-collar matters. We can use our reputation to your advantage.
Federal White-Collar Defense Counsel for High-Stakes Civil and Criminal Matters
Experience in Matters Involving All Types of Federal Inquiries
Our federal defense practice encompasses all matters involving civil and criminal white-collar allegations. We represent healthcare providers, corporate entities, business owners and executives, and other professionals and businesses in investigations, audits, trial litigation, and appeals, and we have experience defending clients in cases involving all federal law enforcement agencies. If you need legal advice or representation with regard to any of the following, we encourage you to call us promptly at 617-202-2912 for a free and confidential case assessment:
- Civil investigative demand (CID)
- Contact from DOJ, FBI, or other federal agents
- Federal compliance audit
- Federal grand jury subpoena
- Federal raid or arrest
- Federal search warrant
- Internal report or investigation
- Federal target letter
- Whistleblower complaint
Areas of Practice
Our former federal prosecutors and career defense attorneys have significant experience defending clients against a broad range of federal allegations. This includes securing favorable results at all stages of federal cases involving accusations of:
- Bank Fraud
- Government Contract Fraud
- Healthcare Fraud
- Insurance Fraud
- Mail Fraud and Wire Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Intellectual Property Theft
- Money Laundering
- Tax Evasion
- Public Corruption and Bribery
- Theft of Government Property
- Drug Crimes
- Attempt
Practice Spotlight: Healthcare Fraud Defense
In Boston, much of our practice is focused in the area of federal healthcare fraud defense. Several of our attorneys have prior experience prosecuting False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback, Stark Law, and other healthcare fraud cases at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DOJ, and founding attorney Dr. Nick Oberheiden devotes a significant portion of his practice to representing healthcare providers and companies in the medical industry. We utilize this experience to provide efficient, practical, and results-oriented legal representation for healthcare fraud matters including:
- Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law Investigations
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Billing Fraud Investigations
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Inspections and Investigations
- False Claims Act Investigations
- Investigations Targeting Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Suppliers, Telemedicine Companies, Compounding Pharmacies, and Other Specialty Providers
- Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare Audits
- Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Audits and Related Matters
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Investigations
- U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Investigations
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Inspections and Compliance Matters
While most healthcare fraud investigations are civil in nature initially, mistakes made during the investigate process can expose providers and business owners to criminal allegations. When we represent you, we will begin communicating with the federal government on your behalf immediately, and we will advise you regarding the steps you can – and should – take to mitigate your risk of facing federal prosecution.
Practice Spotlight: Money Laundering and Conspiracy Defense
Many federal criminal cases involve allegations of money laundering and conspiracy – and with good reason. It isn’t that these are necessarily the most harmful offenses (in fact, by definition, conspiracy charges involve non-commission of a substantive crime); rather, it is that the federal money laundering and conspiracy statutes are so broad that they apply in virtually all cases involving allegations of fraud. In a typical scenario, federal prosecutors will accuse several unrelated parties of taking part in a criminal enterprise, and they will try to solicit incriminating information from each of the alleged co-conspirators. Due to the breadth of the federal money laundering and conspiracy statutes, defending against these allegations can present a significant challenge. Their breadth also means that individuals and entities targeted in federal investigations must be extremely careful when choosing their defense strategies for other alleged offenses. With penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison for money laundering and five years for conspiracy (plus substantial criminal fines), ignoring the risk of prosecution for these offenses is a mistake that targets cannot afford to make.
Frequently Asked Questions About Federal Criminal Defense in Boston, Massachusetts
Q: Is it true that white collar crimes are punished less severely than other offenses?
Not at all. First, many people convicted of white collar crimes end up serving long jail sentences. A sentence for a serious white collar crime almost always calls for some amount of incarceration. The people you hear about in the news who received a more lenient sentence typically worked out a favorable plea agreement with the assistance of an experienced Boston, Massachusetts federal criminal defense attorney. This may be due to weaknesses in the prosecution’s case or the willingness of the defendant to cooperate with the federal investigation. If you face white collar criminal charges in federal court, do not hesitate to reach out to a Massachusetts federal criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to begin working on your defense strategy.
Q: How does bail work in federal court?
While the concept of bail in a federal criminal case is similar to that in state court, in practice, the two courts handle bail quite differently. In federal court, bail is typically set to ensure someone’s presence at court. For example, the court may require you post a certain amount of money to secure your release. If you name a co-signer, both you and your co-signer can be held accountable for the full amount of the bond if you fail to appear at court. Retaining the assistance of an experienced Boston federal criminal defense attorney at your initial appearance is imperative to ensure fair conditions of bail.
Q: What should I do if I receive a grand jury subpoena?
If you receive a grand jury subpoena, federal prosecutors are either demanding you provide them with certain evidence or show up to testify in person at a grand jury proceeding. While the federal government issues subpoenas in an investigatory capacity, and receiving a subpoena does not necessarily mean that you are suspected of committing a crime, it is still critical to speak with a Boston, Massachusetts federal criminal defense attorney before responding to the subpoena. The last thing you want is to provide federal prosecutors with evidence or testimony that shifts the prosecution’s focus onto you. You have a right to consult with an attorney before responding to a subpoena, and you should exercise that right.
Q: Should I try to negotiate a plea agreement or take the case to trial?
Negotiations play a major role in many federal criminal cases. However, the decision to approach prosecutors in search of a plea agreement should be strategic. When a defendant runs to federal prosecutors asking for a deal, it gives prosecutors the upper hand in the negotiations because this conveys a sense of desperation. Instead, what many skilled Boston federal criminal defense attorneys do is prepare the case as though it was going to trial. This way, they not only gain a better understanding of your case, but it also gives the prosecution time to learn the weaknesses of their own case. Thus, even if you are considering a plea agreement, do not engage in conversations with prosecutors until you’ve spoken with a Massachusetts federal criminal defense attorney.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Federal Defense
With these types of risks in mind, when facing the prospect of federal prosecution, the key to executing a successful defense strategy is to comprehensively address all potential implications of the allegations against you. With our firm’s focus on federal defense, we are able to fully assess our clients’ potential exposure and tailor our representation to the particular circumstances at hand. Our extensive experience also means that we do not need to spend time learning about the legal issues that are relevant to our clients’ businesses. As your federal defense counsel, our Boston federal criminal defense lawyers will take decisive action immediately, and we will consistently steer your case toward a favorable result. While there are many mistakes to avoid when facing a federal investigation or federal charges, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is waiting too long to take action. Right now, the federal government has the upper hand, and it is going to stay this way unless and until you intervene. We understand what it means to have the federal government looking into your business or practice, and we also know the significant impact that disrupting the investigative process can have. Let us use our knowledge and experience to your advantage – call or click to schedule a free consultation now.
Speak with a Boston Federal Criminal Defense Attorney at Oberheiden, P.C.
If you need federal defense representation in Boston, call us or contact us online now for a free and confidential case assessment. Call 617-202-2912 to speak directly with one of our lawyers, or tell us how to reach you and a Boston federal criminal defense lawyer will be in touch shortly.