White Collar Crime Defense Attorney in the Bay Area, California
Under investigation or charged with a white collar crime? White collar crimes are serious offenses that can lead to felony charges, prison sentences, and career-ending consequences—especially for professionals, business owners, and corporate employees. Contact our experienced Bay Area defense team immediately at +1 (800) 379-9330 for a confidential, free case review.
White collar crimes are serious offenses that can lead to felony charges, prison sentences, and career-ending reputations—especially for professionals, business owners, and corporate employees. If you're under investigation or have been charged with a white collar crime in California, you need an experienced Bay Area criminal defense attorney who understands both the complex financial aspects and the legal nuances of these cases.
At Ginny Walia Law Offices, we have over 20 years of experience in criminal defense across California, successfully representing clients facing fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, and federal white collar crime charges. Our firm provides strategic, discreet, and aggressive defense to protect your freedom, reputation, and livelihood.
What Is Considered a White Collar Crime in California?
White collar crimes generally involve non-violent offenses committed for financial gain. They often include deceit, manipulation, or violation of trust. Common types of white collar crimes under California Penal Code and federal law include:
- Fraud – insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, credit card fraud, securities fraud, unemployment fraud
- Embezzlement – theft or misuse of funds entrusted to one's care
- Bribery and Corruption – offering or accepting something of value in exchange for influence or action
- Money Laundering – concealing the origins of illegally obtained money
- Forgery and Counterfeiting – falsifying documents, checks, or financial instruments
- Identity Theft – unlawfully using another person's personal or financial information
- Tax Evasion – willfully failing to report or pay taxes
- Computer and Internet Crimes – hacking, phishing, cyber fraud, or data theft
Each of these offenses carries severe penalties under California and federal law, often including imprisonment, restitution, fines, and asset forfeiture.
Facing white collar crime charges? Our experienced Bay Area defense team understands the complex financial and legal aspects of these cases and can build a strong defense strategy to protect your freedom and reputation.
Penalties for White Collar Crimes in California
The consequences depend on the nature of the crime, amount of financial loss, and whether the case is prosecuted at the state or federal level.
Common penalties include:
- Felony or misdemeanor charges depending on the case
- Jail or prison sentences (ranging from months to decades)
- Fines and restitution to victims
- Loss of professional licenses or employment
- Permanent criminal record and immigration consequences for non-citizens
- Asset forfeiture and seizure of property or accounts
- Supervised release or probation with strict conditions
Example: Under California Penal Code § 487 (Grand Theft), if the alleged embezzled amount exceeds $950, the crime can be charged as a felony. Federal charges—such as wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343—can result in up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines.
Our Approach to White Collar Crime Defense
At Ginny Walia Law Offices, our legal strategy focuses on early intervention and damage control. We analyze every aspect of the case, including:
- Investigative procedures — reviewing warrants, subpoenas, and financial records
- Constitutional violations — illegal searches, seizure of devices, or coerced statements
- Intent and evidence — determining whether there was willful intent or mere negligence
- Negotiation and resolution — seeking dismissals, reduced charges, or non-custodial sentences
Our team collaborates with forensic accountants, cybersecurity experts, and financial investigators to challenge the prosecution's case and protect our clients' interests.
Our firm provides personalized, aggressive, and discreet legal representation for professionals, business owners, and corporate employees facing white collar crime charges in California and federal courts.
Defense Strategies We Use
- Challenging illegal searches and seizures: Suppressing evidence obtained through Fourth Amendment violations, including unlawful search warrants or device seizures.
- Lack of criminal intent: Demonstrating that alleged actions were mistakes, negligence, or misunderstandings rather than willful criminal conduct.
- Insufficient evidence: Challenging the prosecution's case by demonstrating weak or circumstantial evidence that doesn't prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Entrapment defense: Showing that law enforcement induced the defendant to commit a crime they otherwise would not have committed.
- Financial record analysis: Working with forensic accountants to identify errors, alternative explanations, or exculpatory evidence in financial documents.
- Witness credibility challenges: Cross-examining prosecution witnesses and exposing inconsistencies, biases, or ulterior motives.
- Plea negotiations: Negotiating for reduced charges, alternative sentencing, restitution plans, or diversion programs to minimize consequences.
- Pre-indictment intervention: Working with prosecutors before charges are filed to present evidence and arguments for case dismissal.
Types of White Collar Crime Cases We Defend
- Insurance Fraud – False claims, staged accidents, exaggerated injuries
- Mortgage Fraud – Loan fraud, appraisal fraud, foreclosure rescue schemes
- Credit Card Fraud – Unauthorized use, identity theft, card manufacturing
- Securities Fraud – Insider trading, investment fraud, Ponzi schemes
- Unemployment Fraud – False claims, identity theft, benefit overpayments
- Embezzlement – Employee theft, misappropriation of funds, breach of fiduciary duty
- Bribery and Corruption – Commercial bribery, public official corruption, kickback schemes
- Money Laundering – Structuring transactions, bulk cash smuggling, trade-based laundering
- Forgery – Check fraud, document falsification, signature forgery
- Identity Theft – Personal information theft, account takeover, synthetic identity fraud
- Tax Evasion – Failure to file, underreporting income, false deductions
- Computer Crimes – Hacking, phishing, ransomware, data breaches, cyber fraud
- Wire Fraud – Federal charges involving interstate communications (18 U.S.C. § 1343)
- Mail Fraud – Federal charges involving use of mail system (18 U.S.C. § 1341)
Why Early Intervention Matters: White collar crime investigations often take months or years before charges are filed. The earlier you involve an attorney, the better your chances of avoiding charges or minimizing consequences. Your attorney can manage communications with law enforcement, protect your rights during the investigation, and potentially prevent charges from being filed.
Federal vs. State White Collar Crime Prosecution
State Prosecution (California)
California prosecutors handle white collar crimes occurring within state borders, including fraud, embezzlement, forgery, and identity theft under the California Penal Code.
Federal Prosecution
Federal agencies such as the FBI, IRS, SEC, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigate and prosecute cases involving:
- Interstate transactions or communications
- Wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343) and mail fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341)
- Securities fraud and violations of SEC regulations
- Tax evasion and IRS violations
- Money laundering and RICO charges
- Bank fraud and federal financial institution crimes
Federal charges typically carry harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences and substantial fines. Our firm has experience defending clients in both California state courts and federal courts throughout the Bay Area.
Serving the Entire Bay Area and Beyond
Our firm represents clients across the San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose, Fremont, Oakland, San Francisco, and Pleasanton, and throughout California in both state and federal courts.
If you're searching for a "white collar crime lawyer near me", Bay Area criminal defense attorney, or California white collar crime defense firm, Ginny Walia Law Offices provides the experience, discretion, and results you need.
Why Choose Ginny Walia Law Offices
- Over 20 years of experience in California criminal defense, including complex white collar crime cases
- Proven track record defending clients in both state and federal courts throughout the Bay Area
- Strategic and discreet representation protecting your reputation and professional standing
- Collaboration with experts including forensic accountants, cybersecurity specialists, and financial investigators
- Early intervention focus to prevent charges or minimize consequences before indictment
- Personalized defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of your case
- Aggressive negotiation for dismissals, reduced charges, or alternative sentencing
Localized Representation Across the Bay Area
Looking for a "white collar crime attorney near me" or "Bay Area fraud defense lawyer"? Our firm defends fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, bribery, tax evasion, and federal white collar charges across:
- San Francisco
- Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont (Alameda County)
- San Jose, Santa Clara, Palo Alto, Sunnyvale (Santa Clara County)
- Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin (Tri-Valley)
- Walnut Creek, Martinez, Concord (Contra Costa County)
- Redwood City, San Mateo, Daly City (San Mateo County)
- Vallejo, Fairfield (Solano County)
- San Rafael (Marin County)
- Santa Rosa (Sonoma County)
