White Collar Crime Lawyers
Nationwide Federal White Collar Crime Lawyers. We Help Our Clients to Avoid Jail Time Huge Fines By Aggressively Pushing Back Against Prosecutors To Protect Your Freedom
One early morning, you are greeted with a knock at the door—or worse, an unexpected federal subpoena. Suddenly, your business and personal life are under federal scrutiny for a white-collar crime you never saw coming.
You know that you never intended to defraud the United States government. The allegations are serious: wire fraud, conspiracy, major fraud against the government, money laundering, or other white collar crimes evasion. You are shocked, nervous, and have no idea what your next step is, as everything you’ve worked for seems to hang in the balance.
In moments like these, you need more than just legal advice—you need a strong, experienced team of white-collar crime lawyers on your side. As white collar defense attorneys, we specialize in defending individuals and businesses facing federal charges, using a thorough, proactive approach to navigate complex investigations and court proceedings.
Your reputation, career, and future are too important to leave to chance. Let us help you understand your options and build a powerful defense. If you are under criminal investigation, received a civil investigative demand or subpoena, let or criminal defense lawyers protect your rights.
What are your options?
Understanding your options is crucial when facing federal criminal charges for white-collar crimes. Here’s a breakdown of potential avenues you can pursue:
Hire Top White Collar Crime Lawyers
The most important first step is to secure legal representation from top white collar crime lawyers who focus on defending federal cases and white-collar crimes. A seasoned lawyer will guide you through every stage of the process, from investigation to trial or negotiation.
Cooperate with Federal Authorities
Cooperation with federal investigators may sometimes help reduce charges or criminal penalties. However, this should only be done under the guidance of a defense attorney, as cooperation can have serious legal consequences if not handled carefully. If you are a federal government contractor or health care company facing government fraud charges, you must be extra careful when cooperating with federal prosecutors in white-collar criminal cases.
Challenge the Evidence
As your white collar crime lawyers, we can examine the prosecution’s evidence and possibly challenge its legality, including questioning how it was obtained (e.g., unlawful searches) or its reliability (e.g., faulty financial records). simply because the government has evidence against you, does not automatically mean the case can be proved at court.
Most importantly, the government often fails to prove required intent beyond a reasonable doubt in criminal cases. Without that level of intent, you cannot be convicted.
Experienced white collar crime lawyers might be able to file pretrial motions that challenge the government’s evidence against you. If evidence is ruled inadmissible, the prosecution may be forced to dismiss the case or offer a more favorable deal, potentially avoiding trial. A white collar attorney at Watson & Associates, LLC can aggressively defend your case.
Plea Negotiation (Make Deal)
Sometimes, negotiating a plea deal can minimize potential penalties and overall risk in your case, especially if a trial outcome seems risky. Our white-collar crime lawyers, after examining the prosecution’s evidence, can help you negotiate a fair resolution if this option is but only if it’s in your best interest. The decision to plea bargain in white collar criminal defense cases
The government may offer a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA). This means the prosecution is postponed, and if you meet certain conditions (such as restitution or cooperation), the charges could eventually be dropped.
Prepare for Trial (Post Indictment)
If you cannot make a fair deal with the prosecutor, or if you have a strong case and or legal defense, a white collar criminal lawyer will help you prepare for trial. This includes interviewing any required experts, deconstructing the prosecution’s evidence, and building a case to fall below the ” reasonable doubt” standard.
You Have Constitutional Rights – We Help to Exercise Them
The Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution says to the federal government that no one shall be “deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.” The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, uses the same eleven words, called the Due Process Clause, to describe the legal obligation of all states.
This right is also guaranteed to you as a defendant or target in a white-collar crime case, investigation, indictment, and at trial. The Fifth Amendment’s reference to “due process” is only one of many promises of protection the Bill of Rights gives citizens against the federal government.
Who We Are and What We Do
Watson & Associates, LLC focuses on civil and criminal federal white collar crime cases involving fraud against the government. Clients can track the progress of their cases, communicate with us, submit documents, and access additional services.
Watson & Associates LLC is a law firm with a nationwide reach, serving federal clients from coast to coast and overseas. We have extensive experience handling cases across the United States, and our dedicated attorneys are committed to providing you with top legal representation no matter your legal situation.
Our approach is straightforward and simple in federal white-collar defense cases. Every client deserves honesty and professional legal service.
We believe that every client should know what he or she potentially faces and the outcome of their criminal defense case – before hiring a criminal defense attorney.
We don’t just represent clients with the resources; we only take clients we believe we can help. This means the possibility of getting charges dropped or better negotiated.
We understand that the only way to stand a chance of winning is by getting your defense team on board and getting into the weeds. The feds have already been on your case for quite some time and have a leg up on you. We now have to take that leg from under them. Going to jail cannot be an option unless there really is no choice. Remember, the government must prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
We are selective about the number of white-collar cases we work with and only work with clients we can truly help. This is different from other law firms, which take on every client regardless of the outcome.
OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP YOU FROM BEING ON THIS LIST
White-Collar Crime News
- 09.09.2024 — St. Louis Man Admits Operating Long-Running Ponzi Scheme
- 09.09.2024 — Pharmacists Convicted of $13 Million Medicare, Medicaid, and Private Insurer Fraud Scheme
- 09.06.2024 — Finance Director Indicted for Embezzling From Non-Profit
- 09.06.2024 — Former District of Columbia Public School Employee and Government Contractor Indicted in Bribery Scheme
- 09.06.2024 — North Carolina Man Who Posed as Investment Advisor Indicted for Stealing More Than $600,000 in Investor Funds
- 09.06.2024 — Pair of Irish Nationals Plead Guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
- 09.05.2024 — Long Island Contractor Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Connection with Hurricane Sandy Recovery Funds
- 09.05.2024 — Former CEO of Mariner’s Bank and Accomplice Admit Roles in Obtaining Nominee Loans From Mariner’s Bank
- 09.05.2024 — Woman Who Embezzled From St. Louis-Area Company Before Going to Scotland Sentenced to 45 Months in Prison
- 09.05.2024 — Beckley Woman Sentenced for Federal Theft Crime
Practice Lead
Call our White Collar Criminal Lawyers today for a Free Initial Consultation at 1.866.601.5518.
Speak to Practice Leader Theodore Watson.
IF YOU'RE READY TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY BOOK A CALL HERE
Multiple Offices
- Washington, DC
- Denver, CO
- Miami, FL,
- Los Angeles, CA
- Dubai
We can handle federal cases in almost every state.
Risk-Free Consultation
GETTING YOUR INVESTIGATION AND OR / CASE UNDER CONTROL IS CRITICAL – THE LONGER YOU WAIT TO ACT, THE LESS NEGOTIATION POWER YOU HAVE AND THE MORE LEVERAGE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS HAVE
IF YOU'RE READY TO HIRE AN ATTORNEY BOOK A CALL HERE
Here’s What You Need to Know About Defending White Collar Criminal Cases
As a general rule, and depending on the charges against you, you have common legal defenses against white-collar crimes.
- Show Lack of Intent: Most white-collar crimes, such as fraud or embezzlement, require proof that the defendant acted with intent to deceive or commit a wrongful act. If your defense attorney can demonstrate that you lacked the intent to commit the alleged crime, the charges may be reduced or dismissed.
- You Acted Under Duress: If you were forced or threatened into committing a white-collar crime by another party, this can be used as a legal defense. For example, if someone threatened you with harm unless you participated in fraudulent activities, you might be able to claim that you acted under duress.
- Illegal Search – Fourth Amendment Violation
- Insufficiency of the evidence: If the evidence against you is weak or circumstantial, your lawyer can argue that there is not enough to convict. This might involve challenging the quality or reliability of the documents, testimony, or digital records the government is using against you.
Types of Cases
What our federal whitecollar crime lawyers realize is that the corporate CEOs and companies find themselves being charged, indicted, and ultimately convicted in procurement fraud or healthcare fraud cases because the local defense attorneys are not intimately familiar with the various underlying laws that the government attorneys allege that they have violated.
Government Contractor Fraud and HealthCare Fraud White Collar Cases
We represent government contractor fraud clients in civil or criminal cases for:
- Buy American Act (BAA compliance) Fraud
- Trade Agreements Act (TAA compliance) Fraud
- SDVOSB Fraud
- SBA small business fraud ( 8(a) BD Program, HUBZone, SDVOSB Programs
- Limitations of contracting ( pass-through) allegations
- False Claims Act defense
- Mail and Wire fraud defense for government contractors
- Conspiracy charges against federal contractors
- Procurement Integrity Act
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
- HealthCare Fraud
- Civil and Criminal Investigations
- Internal Investigations
Corporate White Collar Crimes
- Corporate Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Insider Trading
- Embezzlement
- Conspiracy
- Wire Fraud
Get Aggressive Legal Defense Against Various Federal Agencies
When the Department of Justice (DOJ), Small Business Administration (SBA) or Inspector General’s Office (OIG), or Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) contacts you as being investigated for a white collar fraud offense, you can be exposed to significant jail time or substantial fines. Despite not thinking you have done something wrong, responding without legal counsel can be a dangerous and costly mistake.
First-time Offender White-collar Crime?
White collar criminals are often first-time offenders. Depending on the punishment and seriousness of the crime, you could receive the leniency granted for first offenses. First-time offenders often point to good works outside of their crimes. They may have given to charity, supported friends and family or taken other steps that portray them in a more positive light.
Federal White Collar Criminal Defense Law Firm With Nationwide Reach
We Only Represent Government Contractors or HealthCare Fraud Corporate Cases Involving Federal Crimes: With law offices in Washington DC and Colorado, the DC white collar fraud federal white collar crime lawyers at Watson & Associates, LLC protect your legal and constitutional rights and also look to save your reputation and the reputation of your company. We only represent government contractors or healthcare corporations involved in criminal cases.
Why Are Federal Government Contractors Indicted and Convicted More Often Than Not?
- Not all criminal defense attorneys have federal contracting experience
- The underlying action against you is generally specific procurement regulations where the traditional defense lawyer has no experience
- For a grand jury indictment, the prosecutor must not prove the entire case. Instead, he only has to show that there is enough evidence to move to a trial.
- When you let the prosecution’s case get too far down the road, it is hard to dial back and defendants are in a more difficult bargaining position.
The main reason is that most contractors retain white collar crime lawyers to defend them where the underlying action involves government contract laws. Since federal contracting law is a unique niche, federal prosecutors like it when defense attorneys have no hands-on experience with issues about federal procurement. This upper hand is one of the main reasons why contractor defendants experience more indictments and convictions at trial.
No familiarity with underlying procurement laws can mean exposure to criminal convictions that involve up to 30 years in prison, as well as civil fines and seizure of assets.
Federal Government Contractor Lawyers and Attorneys for White Collar Crime Lawyers with Nationwide Reach
The law offices of Watson & Associates, LLC offer federal white collar crime defense attorneys with a high level of experience handling various government contract fraud cases throughout the United States and overseas that involve white collar offenses
As federal lawyers, our federal white collar criminal defense lawyers offer more than 40 years of combined experience working in the federal space.
- We understand the ins and outs of the underlying federal crimes that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and other federal law enforcement agencies charge contractors and government employees with.
- When white collar offenses and criminal cases involve government contract investigations, grand jury subpoenas, and criminal prosecutions for white-collar offenses that somehow involve U.S. government contracts, we form a team of defense federal attorneys that aggressively fight back.
As Federal contractor white collar crime lawyers, we find that many local criminal defense attorneys lack the experience and detail required to aggressively defend federal contractors against the charges brought against them by federal prosecutors.
Why Are Small Businesses and Large DOD Defense Contractors Coming to Watson & Associates, LLC White Collar Crime Defense Attorneys for Help?
- Thinking out of the box and developing a legal defense early.
- Some firms have no experience with government contracting rules
- Some of our attorneys have worked for government contracting agencies.
- We don’t profess to know it all but we build a team that does.
- When you hire us, we aim to resolve the matter quickly.
There are many reasons why federal prosecutors go after federal contractors for white collar crimes. Examples of the violations include Buy American Act (BAA) compliance cases; False Claims Act resulting from allegations of fraud in the Service Disabled Veteran-owned Small Business Program (SDVOSB), and HUBZone Programs and SBA 8(a) BD programs. This level of expertise is unique in nature. Without experienced white collar crime defense lawyers who understand government contracting laws, clients are helplessly forced to enter into plea agreements or proffer agreements.
Minimize Your Exposure to Criminal Liability & Jail Time- Start the Process Here
Health Care Fraud White Collar Criminal Defense
Watson & Associates’ Healthcare White Collar Crime Defense and Healthcare False Claims Act investigations Team is primarily composed of defense lawyers who understand the risks of clients who don’t quite understand the criminal justice system and don’t know where to turn. When Corporate clients come to us, we immediately form a team that immediately gets to the bottom of the investigation or trial preparation. We understand that careers and lives are at stake.
When you are facing Criminal cases for white-collar healthcare fraud cases, we act as though every case is going to trial. We handle cases from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Offices of Inspector General (OIG) and other enforcement agencies.
Federal White Collar Criminal Defense Contractor Lawyers for Small Businesses Doing Business With the U.S. Government
The DOJ’s website has no shortage of small business government contractors that are charged and convicted of white collar crime and government contractor fraud cases. Many of the defendants are forced to settle conspiracy charges simply because their defense counsel falls short of the experience needed to not only fight the elements of a conspiracy but also to have a serious look at the underlying offense.
This is especially true when there are allegations of SBA fraud, HUBZOne fraud and SDVOSB fraud. At Watson & Associates, LLC our clients hire our federal white collar crime lawyers to fight for their lives and push back against cases that have no legal merit. That’s what we do.
White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers – False Claims Act Defense
As white collar crime lawyers, we represent defendants or targeted during an investigation. We handle cases including Healthcare Fraud, Mail and Wire Fraud, Criminal Conspiracy, Securities Fraud, Major Fraud Against the United States, Procurement Fraud and more.
Lead White Collar Crime Defense Attorneys
Wise D. Allen, Esquire Theodore P. Watson, Esquire, Walter H. Foster
Confidential Free Consultation White Collar Crime Attorneys
Find federal white collar criminal lawyers at Watson & Associates, LLC for immediate representation. Call us today for a free confidential initial consultation. Call and speak to Theodore Watson toll-free at 1-866-601-5518 or contact us online. When speaking with attorneys for criminal defense of government contractors and Washington DC federal white collar crime lawyers at Watson & Associates, LLC we roll our sleeves up and get to work.