A Proven Los Angeles White Collar Crime Defense Attorney

When accusations of white collar crime threaten your livelihood and reputation, you need a strong defense. Alexandra Kazarian is a Los Angeles white collar crime defense lawyer who understands the complexities of these cases. With a practice serving Whittier and the surrounding areas of California, she provides experienced and dedicated representation. Since 2006, she has defended clients against serious felonies and federal charges. If you are under investigation or facing charges, The Law Office of Alexandra Kazarian can help you.

What To Know About White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes are criminal offenses involving financial fraud and deceit. They often occur in business settings and tend to lead to severe penalties. Common examples of white collar crimes include:

• Embezzlement: Misappropriating funds or assets from an employer or organization.
• Fraud: Deceiving others for financial gain.
• Money laundering: Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.
• Tax evasion: Illegally avoiding paying taxes.
• Insider trading: Trading securities based on nonpublic information.
• Ponzi schemes: Investment scams that pay returns to earlier investors with money taken from later investors.

Consequences may include imprisonment, fines and the loss of professional licenses. In the face of such charges, you need immediate representation from an experienced financial crimes lawyer in Los Angeles.

The Steps Of A Los Angeles White Collar Criminal Investigation

State and federal law enforcement follow several methodical steps before filing charges. These steps include:

1. Information-gathering: Detectives from the LAPD Commercial Crimes Division or agents from federal bodies (FBI, IRS-CI) begin to gather financial records, subpoena bank accounts and audit accounts.
2. Search warrants: Agents execute search warrants at corporate offices or private residences. They may seize servers, mobile devices, physical documents and other potentially incriminating evidence.
3. Notification and target letters: Eventually, the subject may receive a target letter from federal prosecutors notifying them of the investigation. This tends to suggest that criminal charges are pending.
4. Pretrial filings and negotiations: Defense counsel gets in contact with prosecutors prior to the filing of formal indictments. A white collar criminal defense attorney may present exculpatory evidence or mitigating factors to convince the state not to file charges.

The moment that you suspect that you might be under investigation, you need early defense intervention. It may even determine the case trajectory.

Investigation And Prosecution Of White Collar Crimes

The investigation of white collar crimes is a meticulous process that often spans months or even years. Federal agencies, such as the FBI and SEC, dedicate substantial resources to gathering extensive evidence, including:

• Financial records
• Personal and work communications
• Credit card and checking statements
• Digital records
• Witness testimonies

This thorough approach allows investigators to build robust cases against perpetrators. The lengthy investigative period also enables authorities to uncover complex networks of fraudulent activities and identify all involved parties.

When it comes to prosecution, state and federal attorneys typically pursue these cases aggressively. While they may offer plea bargains in some instances, prosecutors often take a hard stance on financial crimes due to the significant economic impact and breach of public trust.

Drawing On Strong Defense Strategies

When facing white collar crime charges, defendants can employ various defense strategies. One approach is to challenge the admissibility or reliability of evidence, such as questioning the legality of obtained documents or the credibility of witnesses. Another strategy involves demonstrating a lack of intent, arguing that actions were unintentional or based on misinformation. Defendants may also seek to negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or plea bargains, often by cooperating with investigations or providing valuable information. In some cases, mounting a strong defense can involve highlighting procedural errors or constitutional violations during the investigation. Ultimately, the goal is to create reasonable doubt or minimize potential penalties through strategic legal maneuvering.

Building A Strong Defense

If you are up against the state or the feds, you understand the need for a white collar crime defense attorney. Law enforcement agencies have significant resources at their disposal to gather every scrap of evidence available. You need to level the playing field with a skilled white collar criminal defense attorney in Los Angeles who can challenge the evidence against you.

Alexandra Kazarian understands how the system works after spending eight years as a public defender. This time, working on some of California’s most difficult cases has given her not only insider knowledge of the criminal justice system but also a passion for helping her clients. In her career, she has built relationships with individual prosecutors, judges, law enforcement officials and forensic experts. She draws on these connections to develop her defense strategy, negotiate plea bargains and set you up for the best chance at success possible. She has handled many prominent white collar cases and appears regularly in the media. After numerous dismissed charges, acquittals and mitigated sentences, she has earned a reputation for her aggressive approach and passionate advocacy.

Are White Collar Cases Prosecuted In California State Court Or Federal Court?

Jurisdiction depends on:

• The investigating agency: If a federal agency such as the FBI investigated the crime, it will usually be prosecuted in federal court.
• The geographic scope: If the alleged offense took place across state borders, on federal grounds, on a military base, or on maritime or aviation zones, it becomes a federal offense.
• Violations of federal statutes: Conduct that violates a federal statute constitutes a federal criminal offense.

In Los Angeles, charges under the California Penal Code are typically prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. They usually appear before the Los Angeles County Superior Court system.

Federal prosecutions fall under the jurisdiction of the United States Attorney’s Office and are tried in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, located in Downtown Los Angeles.

What Should I Do If My Employer Or HR Department Brings Me In For An Embezzlement Investigation?

If your employer calls you in for an interview on suspected misconduct, try to follow these steps:

• Politely decline to answer questions on your actions or financial transactions.
• Do not sign any documents.
• As soon as you can, hire your own white collar defense lawyer. Your employer’s counsel represents them, not you.

Remember, corporate investigations are designed to protect the employer, not the employee. Statements that you make during an interview are not confidential. Your employer may report anything you say to law enforcement immediately.

Will A White Collar Fraud Accusation Affect My California Professional License?

Almost certainly yes. Allegations involving financial misrepresentation are taken incredibly seriously by licensing boards. California licensing boards such as the Medical Board of California, The State Bar of California and the California Department of Real Estate often undertake their own administrative investigations if they learn of credible criminal inquiries.

The state categorizes white collar offenses as crimes of moral turpitude. This means that an arrest or charge can trigger an organization’s mandatory reporting requirements. This could lead to temporary suspensions and administrative disciplinary hearings. By working with defense counsel, you may have the opportunity to coordinate a unified strategy across the criminal proceedings and the administrative licensing hearings to mitigate any career-ending sanctions.

Fight Back With A Financial Crimes Lawyer In Los Angeles

Alexandra Kazarian can provide the strong defense you deserve. She will thoroughly investigate your case and work tirelessly on your behalf. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call her office toll-free at 866-481-2010 or send her an email.