Defense of Criminal Investigations and Proceedings
White-Collar Criminal Defense
At Rothschild Wishek + Sands LLP, our attorneys defend individuals, licensed professionals, business owners, and public officials accused of various white-collar offenses in Sacramento and throughout Northern California. Our reputation for white-collar defense ensures you will receive expert counsel. Three of our attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers in America for white-collar criminal defense.
Businesses
There are many ways business owners can find themselves charged with criminal conduct and violations of civil statutes such as the California Business & Professions Code. Among the most common are charges of business fraud, which can involve falsified documents and questionable accounting practices being used to misinform auditors and investors about the true state of a business enterprise. Your intent and whether such practices are actually illegal or fall within the range of generally accepted accounting principles are highly relevant to any business fraud prosecution. We work with forensic accounting experts who can help determine the facts relevant to your defense.
Other charges businesses face can include unfair competition, unfair business practices, or violations of consumer protections. Consumer protections violations include false information provided to consumers, such as whether an employee or business has the proper certifications to perform a certain type of work.
Insurance, Elder Abuse, and Healthcare Law
Statements related to insurance claims are a common source of criminal charges. Any statements that are perceived as being falsely made to collect undeserved insurance payments can be prosecuted as insurance fraud. Healthcare fraud is not limited to insurance companies and can include allegations of fraudulent claims and statements made to state and federal healthcare systems, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Medi-Cal. Our attorneys also have deep experience representing physicians and nursing homes facing allegations of elder abuse or sexual misconduct.
Environmental Fraud
We represent businesses and individuals accused of violating state and federal environmental laws and regulations. Examples of such violations include Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations regarding releasing pollutants onto the land or into waterways. We have also helped clients facing charges for violating regulations governing trucking equipment that prevents vapors from escaping from fuel tanker trucks, as well as other violations.
Public Officials
At Rothschild Wishek + Sands LLP, we represent officials charged with violating the public trust in any aspect of government activity. We recognize that people place high expectations on those responsible for activities involving taxpayers dollars, requiring public officials to maintain exemplary conduct. We also understand that that public officials make mistakes and that hypervigilant public scrutiny can result in unwarranted accusations.
Whether charges involve allegations of embezzlement, forgery, misuse of computers or the internet to further a fraudulent financial scheme, or other violation, investigations of white-collar offenses can go on for a long time before any charges are filed or arrests are made. If you have been directly questioned or suspect that you are the target of an investigation, working with one of our experienced white-collar defense attorneys may help you avoid charges or protect your rights before charges are filed.
How we can help
Regardless of the reasons behind an investigation or charges, securing expert representation can minimize the effect on your reputation and career. If you have been charged with a crime or are concerned that you are under investigation for a crime, our white-collar defense attorneys will provide expert guidance and, when needed, aggressively defend you in court.