White-Collar Criminal Defense

Choose a Raleigh White-Collar Crime Defense Lawyer to Protect Your Rights

Since 1978, Cheshire Parker Schneider has handled complex fraud and other white-collar criminal investigations in the federal and state courts nationwide, including here in North Carolina. Our white-collar criminal defense team assists businesses, business leaders, professionals, executives and elected officials accused of fraud, securities crimes, corporate breaches and political corruption. We also work to avoid asset forfeiture that often accompanies such investigations. Our clients have included congressmen, governors and other political and government figures, as well as prominent members of the entertainment, banking, healthcare and business communities.

The members of our team handle our cases with discretion, professionalism and diligence to effectively guide you through the difficult process. Our attorneys work closely with our professional licensing defense section to reduce the collateral damage that often accompanies white-collar crime accusations.

Avoiding Criminal Charges at the Investigation Stage

Even the accusation of criminal activity can have adverse consequences on your career, reputation and financial health. In some cases, you may be able to avoid charges by retaining a white-collar criminal defense lawyer at the early stages of an investigation. Contrary to the myth, consulting with a lawyer does not make you appear guilty. If you are the focus of an investigation, they already suspect you, so protecting your rights should be your primary concern.

A seemingly innocuous email, recorded comment or simple document could, in fact, prove detrimental to your case. We have the experience and resources to advise you about what information investigators are entitled to. Our lawyers consult with highly respected and qualified forensic accounting experts and investigators, many with law enforcement experience, to thoroughly analyze the prosecution’s evidence and build an affirmative defense to potential charges.

If appropriate to your case, we may help steer the investigation toward a civil lawsuit as an alternative to criminal charges and the potential for lengthy imprisonment.

Protecting Your Assets from Forfeiture

Law enforcement often seizes property and funds before criminal charges are even filed, using seizure warrants and lis pendens (a notice of legal action that could scare off buyers) on properties. Even after your charges have been dismissed or you are found innocent of the offense, the process can put the burden on you to seek return of your own property. Our Raleigh criminal defense attorneys take decisive legal actions to prevent forfeiture of your property without due process and we pursue full and timely return of your assets. Learn more about our asset forfeiture defense services.

We Handle a Variety of White-Collar Criminal Charges

Our Raleigh white-collar attorneys represent clients in the following areas, among others:

• Antitrust
• Asset forfeiture
• Bribery and extortion prosecutions
• Campaign finance
• Computer hacking and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act violations
• Corporate compliance and internal investigations
• Crop insurance fraud
• Department of Labor investigations
• Director, officer and business defense
• Environmental violations
• Embezzlement
• False Claims Act, including qui tam and whistleblower litigation
• False statements prosecutions
• FDIC enforcement actions
• Financial institution fraud
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
• Government contracting and procurement fraud
• Government ethics investigations
• Healthcare fraud and anti-kickback violations
• Insider trading
• Internal corporate investigations
• Insurance fraud
• Non-compete litigation
• Mail fraud
• Medicare and Medicaid fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Prescription fraud
• Obstruction of justice
• Securities fraud
• Tax evasion, failure to file tax returns and other tax crimes
• Theft of government property
• Trade secrets
• Wire fraud

Grand Jury, Government Ethics and Regulatory Investigations

Federal criminal investigations often begin with grand jury investigations, and targets of federal investigations generally learn about the investigation by receiving either a grand jury subpoena or a federal target letter. Similarly, government ethics and other regulatory investigations–such as IRS and North Carolina Department of Revenue inquiries–typically begin with letters of notice that give the target an opportunity to respond. The receipt of these documents cannot be taken lightly, and a quick response by an experienced white-collar criminal defense lawyer is necessary to increase the chances of avoiding criminal charges, forfeitures, fines and other potential penalties.

Trials, Arbitration and Mediation

Our defense lawyers are considered some of the top trial lawyers in North Carolina. The chair of our white-collar criminal defense section, Joe Cheshire, has been twice recognized as the Top Lawyer in North Carolina by SuperLawyers.com and is a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Our other members have been recognized repeatedly in Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Business NC Legal Elite and numerous other associations and rating agencies for obtaining outstanding results in white-collar, regulatory and administrative cases.

When an appropriate or acceptable resolution cannot be reached, we utilize technology and our extensive experience to develop and present an aggressive defense, and to minimize personal and professional harm.

False Claims Act, Qui Tam and Whistleblower Cases

Whenever a business submits a document to the federal government, the potential for a federal investigation attaches under the False Claims Act. Whistleblowers who expose false claims by businesses to the federal government stand to profit substantially, and businesses whose employees allege a False Claims Act violation can be subject to substantial civil and criminal penalties. As with all white-collar cases, quick and effective response is key. Our False Claims Act, qui tam and whistleblower lawyers have developed decades of experience in these matters through successful litigation.

Motions Practice in White-Collar Criminal Defense Cases

White-collar criminal defense cases often involve complex theories of prosecution, which are typically charged as crimes under vague laws that can be read to cover both legal and illegal conduct. For this reason, pretrial motions are of major importance. Our attorneys have developed extensive experience litigating pretrial matters in these types of cases. Below are a few examples of motions that our criminal defense lawyers consider filing in white-collar cases.

• Motion to dismiss
• Motion to exclude testimony of expert witness
• Motion for discovery
• Motion for disclosure of grand jury material
• Motion for a bill of particulars
• Motion to suppress evidence
• Motion to quash grand jury subpoena

Speak with a Raleigh White-Collar Crime Defense Lawyer at Cheshire Parker Schneider

Retain an attorney as soon as you believe you are being investigated for a white-collar crime. You can schedule an appointment with our Raleigh white-collar defense lawyers by calling Cheshire Parker Schneider at (919) 833-3114, or contact us online now.