blog home Financial Crimes Defending Against White-Collar Crime Charges in Federal Court

Defending Against White-Collar Crime Charges in Federal Court

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on August 4, 2025

When federal investigators target you for a financial crime, the stakes could hardly be higher. White-collar crime defense at the federal level is complex, fast-moving, and often based on months or years of surveillance and data collection by agencies like the FBI, IRS, SEC, or DOJ.

The government brings tremendous resources to these cases and will aggressively seek prison time, forfeiture, and reputational destruction.

If you’ve been indicted or are under investigation for fraud charges, embezzlement, or other white-collar offenses, you need more than a general criminal lawyer. You’ll want to find a legal team with deep experience in federal criminal defense, financial litigation, and trial strategy.

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we defend professionals, executives, entrepreneurs, and public figures in the most high-profile and high-risk white-collar cases in California and beyond.

What Are White-Collar Crimes?

White-collar crime is a broad term referring to non-violent offenses committed for financial gain, typically involving fraud, deception, or abuse of trust. These crimes often occur in corporate, governmental, or institutional settings.

Federal white-collar charges include:

• Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343)
• Mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341)
• Securities fraud
• Bank fraud
• Healthcare fraud
• Tax evasion
• Money laundering
• Bribery and public corruption
• Insider trading
• Embezzlement (18 U.S.C. § 641 and § 666)
• Conspiracy to commit any of the above (18 U.S.C. § 371)

Because these crimes may occur across state lines or involve federal laws or institutions, they are often prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys and investigated by federal agencies with vast resources.

What to Expect in a Federal White-Collar Case

Unlike state prosecutions, federal criminal defense cases often begin with a grand jury investigation. You may have already received a target letter, a subpoena for documents, or even a surprise visit from federal agents. In some cases, a sealed indictment results in an unannounced arrest and public exposure.

Federal prosecutors will have built their case before you even realize you’re under investigation. They’ll use:

• Financial records and digital communications
• Expert forensic analysis
• Subpoenaed bank data and emails
• Testimony from co-defendants or cooperating witnesses

Effective Key White-Collar Crime Defense Strategies

A successful white-collar crime defense attorney knows how to provide comprehensive analysis, skilled negotiation, and the ability to go to trial if necessary. There are several effective defense strategies, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Challenging Intent

One of the core elements of most financial crimes is intent. The government must prove you knowingly and willfully engaged in deception or theft.

Your attorney may argue that the conduct in question was a misunderstanding, a clerical or accounting error, or lacked any criminal intent. This is often critical in embezzlement defense or fraud cases involving complex financial transactions.

Attacking the Evidence

Federal prosecutors often rely on thousands of documents, spreadsheets, and emails. But the chain of custody, sourcing, and interpretation of this evidence is often flawed.

Defense lawyers frequently file motions to suppress unlawfully obtained evidence, challenge forensic reports, and question the qualifications or biases of government experts.

Moving to Dismiss or Limit Charges

Some indictments are overbroad, duplicative, or legally flawed. A well-timed motion to dismiss can eliminate weak counts or narrow the case.

Countering Conspiracy Allegations

Conspiracy charges are often used to rope in peripheral players or punish associations. But just being near or aware of misconduct does not prove guilt.

Negotiating With Prosecutors

In some cases, resolution may be possible through a non-prosecution agreement, deferred prosecution, or plea to a reduced charge. These options are only available to defendants with strong legal representation and leverage.

Trial Advocacy

If trial becomes necessary, we prepare every detail of the case—from jury selection and expert testimony to cross-examination of government witnesses. Our trial lawyers use clear, compelling storytelling to challenge complex allegations and create reasonable doubt. We’ve successfully defended executives, doctors, public officials, celebrities, and business owners in front of federal juries.

The High Stakes of a Federal Financial Crime

The consequences of a conviction in a federal white-collar case are devastating. In addition to prison time, you may face:

• Massive fines and restitution orders
• Asset forfeiture
• Professional license revocation
• Immigration consequences
• Loss of voting and firearm rights
• Public and professional reputation damage

U.S. Sentencing Guidelines require the court to consider the amount of financial loss, number of victims, role in the offense, and prior record.

Reasons to Choose Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, our attorneys bring decades of experience in federal criminal defense and complex litigation. Our legal team includes former prosecutors, seasoned trial lawyers, and legal strategists who know how to go toe-to-toe with the federal government.

What Sets Us Apart?

• Track Record of Success in high-profile federal cases
• Discreet Representation to protect your reputation
• Aggressive Negotiation and Trial Skills with a results-driven approach
• In-House Expertise in financial analysis, forensic accounting, and digital evidence
• Experience with Multi-Agency Prosecutions, including the DOJ, IRS, FBI, and SEC

Whether you’re under investigation, facing indictment, or preparing for trial, we build customized defense strategies tailored to your case, your risk profile, and your personal goals.

What to Do If You’re Facing Fraud Charges or Embezzlement Allegations

If you’ve received a subpoena, been contacted by federal agents, or are already facing formal charges, take the following steps immediately:

1. Do not talk to investigators without an attorney present.
2. Do not destroy or alter any records—this can lead to obstruction charges.
3. Document all interactions with potential witnesses, investigators, or co-defendants.
4. Contact a qualified financial crime attorney immediately.

Federal prosecutors build their cases quietly and strike hard. The earlier you engage legal counsel, the more options you have to challenge the case and protect your future.

Speak With Our Skilled White-Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we bring a lot to the table, including experience and the willingness to go toe-to-toe with federal prosecutors. We will not be intimidated!

Call (213) 688-0460 today to schedule a consultation with our Los Angeles white-collar criminal defense attorneys. Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP is prepared to stand between you and the full weight of the federal government.