White Collar Crime Attorney in Los Angeles

The Experience You Need If You Face Business Criminal Charges In Los Angeles

Conviction of fraud, embezzlement, or another white-collar crime can seriously derail your career and personal life. If you face a criminal charge of this type, it is critical that you enlist the help of an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense law firm. In Los Angeles and throughout Southern California, that firm is Shevin Law Group.

White-collar criminal charges often stem from a lengthy investigation that is conducted by federal law enforcement officials. The penalties are severe, and the prosecutors have extensive resources to push for a conviction. We understand how high the stakes are and what it takes to build an aggressive defense. Our white-collar crime attorneys bring more than four decades of cumulative legal experience to every case.

As experienced white collar crime attorneys in Los Angeles, we provide the aggressive advocacy of a firm with over 50 years of experience. Call (818) 918-5838 or contact us online for a free consultation. We offer services in Spanish, Armenian, and Russian to better serve you.

Common White-Collar Crimes We Handle in Los Angeles

We provide highly personalized legal counsel by taking the time to closely review the facts of every case and discussing things in great detail at the start. Our emphasis on clear communication, from the initial consultation through the resolution of the case, means every client stays informed on the status of their case and is fully aware of their options.

We represent corporate executives, office workers, physicians and other medical professionals, accountants, entertainment professionals, and others in all types of white collar criminal cases, including:

• Identity theft
• Medicaid or Medicare fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Credit card fraud
• Mail fraud and wire fraud
• Tax fraud
• Embezzlement
• Cybercrime
• Money laundering
• Forgery

No outcome is guaranteed, of course, but our decades of experience mean we have handled a wide variety of white-collar cases. As a result, we can provide you with a good idea of possible outcomes. 

We are able to resolve a number of cases through negotiation or other alternative means of resolution, which allows us to retain more control over the outcome and avoid lengthy and expensive litigation. If a fair agreement cannot be reached outside of court, we are trial-tested attorneys who will always stand ready to advocate on your behalf in court.

Understanding White-Collar Crimes Laws in California

In California, "white collar crime" is a broad category encompassing non-violent offenses committed for financial gain. These cases are frequently prosecuted under the California Penal Code or the Corporations Code, and in many instances, they trigger the devastating Aggravated White Collar Crime Enhancement under Penal Code § 186.11.

In many white-collar matters in Los Angeles, investigations by agencies such as the FBI, IRS, or the local district attorney’s office begin months or even years before any arrest or formal filing. Investigators may quietly gather bank records, business emails, and witness statements, and you may not realize you are a focus until you receive a subpoena, target letter, or search warrant. 

By the time a case reaches the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California or the Los Angeles County courts, the government will often have assembled a detailed narrative of what it believes happened, so our role is to move quickly to analyze that narrative, identify gaps, and challenge assumptions before they harden into charges.

Because white-collar prosecutions frequently allege complex financial schemes, a white-collar crime attorney in Los Angeles must be comfortable working with accountants, forensic analysts, and industry professionals. We routinely review ledgers, contracts, and electronic communications to understand the business purpose behind transactions that prosecutors may try to portray as criminal.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of White Collar Convictions in California

The consequences of a white-collar conviction in California are multifaceted, impacting your freedom and your net worth.

• Incarceration: Felony convictions for fraud or embezzlement can carry sentences of up to three years in state prison. However, the PC § 186.11 enhancement can add an additional two to five years of consecutive prison time depending on the amount of loss.
• Massive Fines: Fines can reach up to $500,000 or double the amount of the taking, whichever is greater.
• Restitution: Courts will order you to pay back the full amount of the alleged loss to the victims, which can result in the permanent loss of your life savings.
• Asset Forfeiture: Under the "Freeze and Seize" law, the government can permanently confiscate your home, vehicles, and investments to satisfy judgments.
• Professional De-licensing: A conviction for a "crime of moral turpitude" typically leads to the mandatory revocation of professional licenses (e.g., Medical Board, State Bar, CPA license).
• Reputational Damage: In the digital age, a white-collar charge is a permanent mark that can make it impossible to secure future employment or business partnerships.

A white collar conviction can carry serious consequences beyond jail time, including restrictions on employment in regulated fields, scrutiny from licensing boards, and reputational harm. Financial penalties, restitution, and potential asset forfeiture can have long-term impacts on personal and professional stability. 

For noncitizens, certain offenses may trigger immigration risks. Legal counsel helps evaluate these effects comprehensively, guiding clients to make informed decisions while protecting their financial, professional, and personal interests.

Act Promptly If You Are Charged or Being Investigated

The first point of contact from law enforcement authorities in white-collar cases often is not an arrest. It is a wise idea to enlist legal counsel even if you are only questioned in connection with a white-collar crime. Early involvement on our part will help us build the strongest possible defense on your behalf, not to mention protect you from incriminating yourself through any comments to authorities.

Many people in Los Angeles first learn about a potential case when they receive a grand jury subpoena, a request for records from a government agency, or an unexpected visit from investigators at their home or office. How you respond in those first hours can shape the rest of the matter. 

Speaking with a white-collar crime attorney in Los Angeles before answering questions or producing documents helps ensure that you preserve important materials, avoid accidental destruction of evidence, and assert your rights in a way that does not escalate the situation.

How A White Collar Crime Attorney In Los Angeles Can Assist You

Facing a white-collar investigation or prosecution in Los Angeles can be overwhelming, but an experienced attorney helps level the playing field by explaining the process, protecting your rights, and coordinating a strategic response. From the first consultation, the attorney focuses on your goals and concerns, providing clear guidance and practical advice at every stage to navigate the complex legal and procedural landscape effectively.

A white-collar attorney’s work includes reviewing charging documents, search warrants, and investigative reports to identify weaknesses in the government’s case. By consulting with specialists and analyzing financial and electronic data, they craft motions, cross-examinations, and negotiations that challenge the prosecution’s claims. Clients are kept informed of deadlines, hearings, and strategic decisions, ensuring that both immediate and long-term interests—career, reputation, and legal outcomes—are carefully protected.

At Shevin Law Group, we don't just react to the prosecution; we lead the narrative. Our approach is designed to provide the elite level of service expected in high-stakes litigation.

• Forensic Auditing: We work with top-tier forensic accountants to conduct an independent audit of the financial records. Often, we find that the "missing" funds are actually accounted for in ways the police ignored.
• Multilingual Advocacy: Because business in Los Angeles is international, our ability to provide Spanish, Armenian, and Russian services allows us to review foreign documents and interview international witnesses without the risk of translation errors.
• Disrupting the Intent Narrative: We specialize in proving "good faith." We demonstrate through emails, memos, and witness testimony that our clients acted with legitimate business purposes and had no intent to defraud.
• Negotiating Alternative Resolutions: When appropriate, we leverage our over 50 years of experience to negotiate civil compromises or deferred prosecution agreements that protect our clients from the stigma of a criminal conviction.

Why Choose Shevin Law Group for Your White Collar Defense

When you are under the microscope of the government, you need a Los Angeles white collar crimes lawyer who has seen it all. Shevin Law Group offers a rare combination of veteran experience and technical sophistication. We have spent decades defending the leaders of the Southern California business community against the most complex allegations.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case in total confidence. We are straight-shooters who will give you a realistic assessment of the risks you face while outlining a path toward the best possible resolution. Our goal is not just to win your case, but to save your career and your future.

Call (818) 918-5838 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment.