Have you been ARRESTED or contacted by the Police, a Detective, FBI, or CPS?
White-Collar Crime Criminal Defense Attorney in Los Angeles, CA
White-collar crimes are taken very seriously in LA and throughout Southern California. If you have been arrested or charged for a white-collar crime like fraud or embezzlement, don’t take this lightly. You face the loss of your reputation and your job as well as time in prison and substantial fines.
We know this situation is scary. However, it’s important that you remember an arrest is not a conviction. You are innocent until proven guilty and Ninaz Saffari and the Saffari Law Group will ensure the prosecutor and court respect that.
See how our Los Angeles white-collar crime lawyer can help protect you and your future. The consultation is confidential.
Types of White-Collar Cases Saffari Law Group Handles
Our criminal defense lawyer represents Los Angeles residents accused of all types of white-collar crimes, including:
- Bribery
- Conspiracy
- Cybercrimes
- Embezzlement
- Forgery and counterfeiting
- Fraud (insurance fraud, real estate fraud, wire fraud, corporate fraud, bank fraud, mail fraud, welfare fraud, credit card fraud)
- Identity theft
- Larceny
- Money laundering
- Ponzi schemes
- Robo-calling scams
- Tax evasion
- Theft
Penalties for White-Collar Crimes in California
The penalties you face for a white-collar conviction in California depend on the specific offense. They also depend on whether you face state or federal charges. Some examples of white-collar crimes and their penalties include:
- Forgery and counterfeiting
- State charges: up to four years behind bars and/or fines (depending on the specific offense you allegedly committed)
- Federal charges: up to 25 years in federal prison (depending on the offense) and/or fines
- Embezzlement
- State charges: misdemeanor or felony charges, your imprisonment and fines depend on the specific offense you allegedly committed
- Federal charges: up to 30 years behind bars and/or fines (both depend on the offense you allegedly committed)
- Money laundering
- State charges: Imprisonment (the length of time depends on the amount you allegedly laundered) and/or fines (depending on the amount you allegedly laundered)
- Federal charges: 20 years in prison and/or fines (depending on the amount you allegedly laundered)
- Tax evasion
- State charges: can be a misdemeanor or felony, between 16 months and three years behind bars and fines (depending on the amount of unreported tax)
- Federal charges: Five years in prison and/or fines up to $100,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a corporation
California’s Aggravated White-Collar Crime Enhancement
You can also face enhanced penalties in some situations, per California Penal Code 186.11. When Ninaz looks into your case, we will be able to determine if the aggravated white-collar crime enhancement statute applies in your case. If it does, you are looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional fines, additional imprisonment (between two and four years), and possible probation.
Our team will look into your case and determine the maximum penalties you may be facing.
Other Penalties from a White-Collar Arrest or Conviction
While most people focus on the fines and prison time that can come with a white-collar conviction, there are other penalties of which you should be aware:
- Paying restitution to victims
- Loss of job
- Loss of reputation
- Humiliation
- Inability to get another job
- Loss of professional license
Why You Want Ninaz on Your Side Against Financial Crimes Charges
There are a few things that set Ninaz and the Saffari Law Group apart from other criminal defense firms:
Ninaz’s Reputation Throughout Los Angeles
Ninaz is well-known in the criminal defense industry. She has been featured as a legal expert on CBS News’ This Morning, CNN’s Headline News, and the FOX News Channel.
We Give You the Undivided Attention You Deserve
However, she doesn’t use her notoriety to speed through case after case. The Saffari Law Group doesn’t take every case that comes across our desk. This means you get our undivided attention. You won’t get this at other firms that handle thousands of cases a year.
We Are Dedicated to You and Your Family
Ninaz is dedicated to her clients and their families. We advocate for justice on your behalf, fighting tooth and nail for you and your future. While we are firm with the prosecution and law enforcement, we look to you with compassion, not judgment. People make mistakes, but everyone deserves a defense and someone to guide them through this process.
And we won’t start your case and leave you in the dark. We’re in touch frequently to give you updates on your case. You get our personal cell phone numbers, and we’re also available after hours and on weekends, so if you need us, we’re there.
We Won’t Sugar Coat Things
We want you to know what you’re up against, so we’ll tell it like it is. This means we tell you what you need to know, even if it isn’t what you want to hear. We ensure you remain hopeful but that you understand that white-collar crimes are serious offenses that can affect the entirety of your life.
Call Saffari Law Group to learn more about what we can do for you.
Criminal Defense
Results from White-Collar Cases Saffari Law Group Has Handled
Ninaz has handled over 7,000 cases in the last 18+ years and taken over 70 to trial. Her experience and results speak for themselves.
Money Laundering and Several Other Charges
Our client was facing the potential of 38 years in federal prison after being accused of laundering money for a Mexican drug cartel. He called us as soon as he realized the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) wanted to interview him. His potential charges included:
- Laundering of monetary instruments (20 years in prison)
- Attempt to evade or defeat tax (five years in prison)
- Conspiracy (five years in prison)
- Operating an unlicensed money transmitting business (five years in prison)
- Fraud and false statements (three years in prison)
After almost a year of working to convince federal prosecutors of our client’s innocence, we got a written Non-Prosecution Agreement.
Identity Theft and Credit Card Theft
Our client was arrested after his girlfriend was pulled over while he rode in the passenger seat. Law enforcement searched the vehicle, despite both he and his girlfriend (the driver) refusing to consent to a warrantless search. Officers found drugs and approximately $20,000 in cash.
Officers also ran his license and determined he had a warrant out for his arrest for a parole violation. When officers forced our client to open his phone, they allegedly found evidence of both identity and credit card theft.
He was facing almost a decade behind bars for the following offenses:
- Felony identity theft (three years in prison)
- Fraudulent use of a credit card (three years in prison)
- Parole violation (two years in prison)
- Marijuana possession for sale (six months in county jail)
Ninaz provided exculpatory evidence and filed a Motion for Return of Seized Property (for the return of $20,000 that was taken. The judge granted the motion and $16,000 was returned. Ninaz informed the West Covina Police Department that the arresting officers had taken $4,000. After fighting for our client’s rights, Ninaz obtained:
- A simple misdemeanor for the marijuana
- No jail time at all
- Informal probation (with the likelihood of Early Termination of Probation and Expungement)
- No parole violation
Mortgage Fraud
Our client, a mortgage broker, was facing 25 years in federal prison after being accused of taking part in a nationwide mortgage fraud ring and racketing conspiracy. The other alleged members of the ring were charged and prosecuted for:
- Conspiracy to defraud the United States
- Honest services fraud
- Money laundering
- Obstruction of criminal investigations
- Wire fraud
Once our client learned that the FBI was looking into him, he called us. Ninaz spent almost a year persuading the prosecutors that the evidence they had wasn’t strong enough. The case was later closed and federal prosecutors did not file charges.
You can look into our other results, as well. Call today to see how our Los Angeles white-collar crime attorney can help you.
Potential Defenses Against White-Collar Crimes Charges
The defense we use depends on your specific situation but could include:
- You lacked intent.
- You were just temporarily borrowing the funds or property and did not intend to keep them.
- You took less than the prosecution is claiming.
- You believed the property or funds belonged to you.
- You had consent to borrow the funds.
- You didn’t know the credit card you were using was stolen.
- Your rights were violated (e.g., illegal search and seizure, you weren’t read your rights).
- Police officers entrapped or coerced you to commit the crime.
- You were forced to commit the crime.
We can also prove that the prosecution’s case is weak or that the evidence failed to follow the proper chain of custody. This could persuade the prosecution to drop the charges.
Get Saffari Law Group for Your Los Angeles White-Collar Crimes Defense
Get our help today, whether you’ve already been charged or are just wanted for questioning. We can defend you against state or federal charges.
Call us today for a confidential consultation. We’ll listen to your story and explain what a white-collar crimes attorney can do for you and your future.