DEFENDING WHITE COLLAR INVESTIGATIONS & CRIMINAL CHARGES IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Legal Support in Alexandria & Leesburg for White Collar Charges

Our attorneys frequently undertake the defense of federal and state white collar investigations and criminal charges, including allegations of honest services fraud and bribery related to government contracts, mail and wire fraud, mortgage fraud, health care fraud, embezzlement, and other non-violent or financially related matters.

Proactive Defense Strategies for White Collar Cases

In certain situations, we recommend that clients subject to white collar investigations take proactive measures (usually through counsel) to mitigate or obviate the possibility of criminal charges. Proactive measures may include appropriately responding to government inquiries for information or grand jury subpoenas, potentially meeting with law enforcement and prosecutors, and/or tendering or paying back allegedly improperly obtained property or funds.

Each situation must be individually assessed to determine whether the client has criminal exposure and the appropriate course of action.

Experienced Trial Teams for Complex Cases

In defending complex and high stakes criminal cases, we assemble trial teams of experienced and capable trial attorneys, investigators, experts, and support personnel. We routinely engage in extensive pretrial motion practice to limit or suppress evidence in addition to requesting other forms of relief. We also believe in conducting thorough factual investigations, preparing and vetting witnesses and cross-examination, and in certain cases, we present prosecution and defense arguments to mock juries to aid us in understanding the impact of evidence and argument. We have tried numerous cases to conclusion before judges and juries and secured acquittals in high stakes cases.

Utilizing Experts & Investigators in White Collar Defense

The use of experts is sometimes necessary to capably defend white collar allegations. We have relationships with many experts, including experts in computer and phone forensics, accounting, and other fields.

We also regularly use private investigators who become integral parts of our trial teams. Our investigators have backgrounds in law enforcement and public defense.

Effective Plea Negotiations and Sentencing Advocacy

While we have extensive trial experience, we recognize plea negotiations are an essential stage of any criminal case and we have an ethical responsibility to appropriately seek, negotiate, and communicate plea offers. In this regard, successful pre-charge negotiations, presentation of mitigation, and/or pretrial litigation can sometimes assist in obtaining a favorable plea offer.

In white collar matters, we recognize potential incarceration (especially in federal cases) is significantly driven (sometimes unfairly) by the intended loss or pecuniary harm. For example, the federal sentencing guidelines “award bonus punishment points for different levels of proven loss.” United States v. Schneider, 930 F.2d 555 (1991). That is, the federal sentencing guidelines “loss table” recommends greater punishment based on the actual or intended monetary loss. See Guideline section 2B1.1.

In this regard, negotiating the “loss” upfront to a lesser amount can save a client significant prison time as well as sometimes mitigate the client’s exposure to restitution and/or forfeiture.

However, pecuniary harm, albeit important, is not the only sentencing factor in a white collar case. There may be mitigating factors that explain, in whole or in part, the alleged offense conduct that should be considered in fashioning a fair resolution and/or sentence. Mitigating factors can include lack of prior record, lack of actual loss (e.g. performing the work of an improperly awarded contract), work and social history, family, contributions to the community and public service, military service (including PTSD and TBI), substance abuse and/or mental health issues, disabilities, immaturity, peer pressure, financial pressure or even heat of passion.

In this regard, with the client’s agreement, we wish to get know the people we represent in order to potentially present mitigating evidence to prosecutors and judges. In cases where a plea agreement is reached and the court decides the sentence, we may present live witnesses and/or experts in advocating for a particular outcome at a sentencing hearing. We also typically prepare a detailed written submission to the sentencing court in the form of a memorandum in aid of sentencing (also known as a position on sentencing in federal court) that may argue sentencing guidelines points, but as importantly, discusses the characteristics and background of the defendant, argues mitigating issues, and makes a principled sentencing recommendation.