Your criminal charges may not use the words “white collar crime,” but you may be up against such charges if you are accused of any of the following:
- Identity theft, fraud or embezzlement
- Cryptocurrency crimes or cyberstalking
- Medicare, Medicaid or health care fraud
- Wire fraud or conspiracy to commit any type of fraud
All the criminal offenses listed above sometimes refer to state crimes, but often, they are considered federal crimes because they cross or may cross state lines.
We are aggressive, professional and effective federal criminal defense attorneys. At our law office, Leonard Trial Lawyers in Chicago, we are white collar criminal defense lawyers who offer clients the benefit of our more than 30 combined years of experience in federal criminal defense.
What Makes Them White Collar Crimes?
White collar crimes are characterized in some of the following ways:
- They are generally nonviolent offenses
- They often involve business and government employees
- They include numerous types of fraud, such as
- Mortgage fraud
- Securities fraud
- Health care fraud
Money laundering and public corruption are other types of white collar crimes named in federal charges against our clients. Our strong track record in federal criminal defense includes attorney Mike Leonard’s six or more not guilty jury verdicts on all counts and charges in federal criminal prosecutions brought by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois (Chicago).
The Severe Consequences Of A White Collar Conviction
White collar convictions can disrupt every aspect of a person’s life. Beyond jail time, these cases often result in:
- Loss of professional licenses: Many white collar convictions lead to permanent or temporary restrictions on professional practice, from accounting to health care.
- Financial penalties: Criminal fines, restitution obligations and asset forfeiture can have devastating financial effects.
- Public scrutiny and reputation damage: Being in the news or having people talk about you can harm your personal and professional relationships.
- Civil liability: A conviction might lead to additional lawsuits or regulatory actions, making a legal situation even more complicated.
For clients in Chicago and nationwide, it is really important to get a lawyer involved early on. These cases are serious and federal prosecutors work hard to prove them.
Our Core White Collar Criminal Defense Practice Areas
At Leonard Trial Lawyers, we defend clients against various white collar charges, including:
- Financial and securities fraud: We defend against charges like insider trading, accounting fraud and wire fraud.
- Government and Public Sector Offenses: We handle cases involving government procurement fraud and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Tax and bankruptcy-related crimes: We manage cases of tax fraud and issues related to the Bank Secrecy Act.
- Cyber and technology-related crimes: We address accusations of computer fraud and identity theft.
- Health care and consumer fraud: We protect clients accused of health care fraud and violations related to Medicare and Medicaid.
- Other complex white collar charges: This includes bank fraud, mail fraud and other financial crimes.
Our Chicago white collar crimes attorneys are experienced in federal criminal law and courtroom procedures, ensuring a strong defense for each client.
Navigating Federal Investigations And Prosecution Process
Federal investigations can be intimidating and the process moves quickly. Here is how we address them:
- Initial response: If agents from the Department of Justice or the SEC contact you, it is crucial to have a lawyer involved immediately.
- Grand jury process: Our white collar attorneys guide clients through grand jury investigations, protecting their rights and managing what information is shared.
- Defense strategy: We conduct a comprehensive analysis of all available facts, scrutinize the prosecution’s case for vulnerabilities, and construct a carefully tailored defense strategy designed to protect the client’s rights and interests.
- Pretrial negotiations: Exploring plea deals or alternative resolutions requires careful evaluation to help ensure long-term protection of client interests.
- Federal court litigation: Preparing for jury trials in federal court involves detailed evidence review, witness preparation and courtroom strategy.
- Post-conviction relief and appeals: While rarely needed, we handle appeals or other post-conviction options.
Having a skilled white collar crime lawyer is essential if you are facing charges like financial fraud or tax fraud. Every case is different and our attorneys work to protect clients’ rights, career and reputation.
The Chicago Advantage: A Strategic Base For Nationwide Defense
Being headquartered in Chicago offers unique advantages for clients facing federal charges anywhere in the United States.
- Deep roots in Chicago’s federal legal system: Our attorneys have significant experience working with federal judges, magistrates and prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois.
- Utilizing local knowledge for effective statewide impact: Understanding local federal court procedures allows us to handle cases efficiently and strategically for clients throughout Illinois.
- Nationwide representation with a robust network: From New York to Los Angeles, our firm can deploy experienced lawyers to defend clients in federal court nationwide.
Our Chicago white collar crimes attorney team helps ensure that clients receive personalized, strategic representation at every stage.
Turn To Our Chicago Law Firm For Effective White Collar Crime Defense
We await your inquiry so that we can get started investigating your case and devising a promising defense strategy.
Call 312-815-6572 or send an email to schedule a free consultation with a white collar crime lawyer as you are facing criminal charges in Illinois or elsewhere.
