Charleston, SC White Collar Lawyer

Experienced Federal White Collar Defense Lawyers Defending Clients in Charleston, SC

Attorney Nick Oberheiden
Charleston, South Carolina White Collar
Criminal Defense Team Lead envelope icon

Charleston meeting location – by appointment only: We do NOT accept mail or service at this location.
460 King Street Suite 200
Charleston, SC 29403
888-680-1745

As Charleston, SC continues to grow, local companies and prominent residents are increasingly finding themselves under the microscope. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and other authorities have recently conducted several investigations in the area, and these investigations have resulted in serious white collar criminal charges in many cases. If you are facing a white collar criminal investigation or white collar charges in Charleston, we can help, but it is important that you contact us promptly.

Oberheiden P.C. is a team of senior-level defense lawyers who have extensive experience in high-stakes white collar criminal defense cases. In the Lowcountry, our team is led by Charleston, SC white collar lawyer Jim Griffin—a local lawyer with a national reputation for effective defense representation in private practice. In all cases, we take a team approach focused on both efficiency and effectiveness, and we work to resolve our clients’ cases without formal criminal charges whenever possible.

Our White Collar Defense Practice in Charleston, SC

We defend individuals and companies that are facing all types of white collar charges in Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas—and we provide representation at all stages of the investigative and prosecutorial processes. Some representative examples of the types of cases our white collar lawyers handle include:

Bank fraud
Bribery and corruption
Embezzlement
Environmental crimes
Export/import violations
Government contract, grant, and program fraud
Health care fraud
Insurance fraud
Mail fraud and wire fraud
Money laundering
Securities fraud
Tax evasion and tax fraud

Again, these are just examples. From cryptocurrency fraud to matters stemming from internal investigations and employee complaints, we handle a wide range of other white collar matters as well. If you are facing (or if your company is facing) allegations of any type of white collar criminal offense, we can help—as long as you contact us in time.

Our Charleston, SC white collar lawyers can provide representation for matters involving all state and federal law enforcement authorities in South Carolina. Within our white collar defense practice, we handle investigations, grand jury proceedings, and prosecutions involving agencies including (but not limited to):

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
South Carolina Attorney General’s Office
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
U.S. Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DOD OIG)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (DHHS OIG)
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

These and other state and federal agencies can (and do) pursue investigations and charges involving an extraordinarily wide range of alleged white collar crimes, including the prosecution of federal criminal environmental offenses. When facing a white collar investigation or white collar criminal charges, understanding the specific allegations at issue is paramount. Our lawyers can interface with the relevant authorities to determine the nature and scope of their investigation, and then we can advise and represent you accordingly.

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

Matters Our Charleston, SC White Collar Lawyers Are Available to Handle

Our law firm’s white collar defense practice encompasses all stages of the law enforcement process, from the earliest steps of a white collar criminal investigation through trial and appeal. While we have the experience and capabilities required to provide effective courtroom representation—and we are fully prepared to do so when necessary—it is often in our clients’ best interests to target a resolution that avoids litigation (and its inherent publicity).

With this in mind, matters our Charleston, SC white collar lawyers are available to handle include:

White Collar Criminal Investigations

We routinely defend clients during white collar criminal investigations. This includes defending clients that have received target letters, subpoenas, and search warrants as well as those that are facing informal inquiries from law enforcement agents. If you are facing an investigation (or if you have reason to believe that you or your company might become the target of a high-stakes investigation), we can focus our efforts on achieving a favorable resolution that avoids serious white collar criminal charges.

Plea Deal and Settlement Negotiations

In many cases, we have been successful in helping our clients avoid liability entirely—and this is our primary focus in every case we handle. However, when necessary, we also enter into plea deal and settlement negotiations on behalf of our clients. If reaching an agreement that avoids an indictment and prosecution is in your (or your company’s) best interests, we can use our experience to target a plea deal or settlement that minimizes your (or your company’s) liability and allows you to move on.

Federal Grand Jury Proceedings

In federal white collar criminal cases, the DOJ must obtain a grand jury indictment before pursuing its case at trial. While defendants and their counsel only have limited opportunities to intervene in the grand jury process, this is still a critical stage during which effective legal representation is critical. We have handled thousands of federal grand jury proceedings, and we can use our experience to help protect you (or your company) by all means available.

White Collar Criminal Trials

While we focus on helping our clients avoid the inherent risks of trial whenever possible, we are more than comfortable taking our clients’ cases to court when necessary. If fighting the government’s allegations brought by a federal prosecutor is the best option you have available under the circumstances at hand, we will be fully prepared to pursue a not-guilty verdict when your trial date arrives. Our lawyers have handled white collar criminal trials for numerous clients, and we have an extensive track record of success in court.

Appeals in White Collar Criminal Cases

We also provide appellate representation when necessary. If you need to challenge the outcome of a white collar criminal trial, our lawyers can preserve your right to appeal, evaluate all potential appellate arguments, and provide representation at the appellate level. At Oberheiden P.C., our team includes lawyers who are admitted to practice before U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit (which encompasses South Carolina) and the U.S. Supreme Court.

FAQs: Defending Against White Collar Charges in Charleston, SC

What is the Definition of a “White Collar” Crime?

The term “white collar” is generally used to describe sophisticated crimes that are financial in nature. These include various forms of fraud as well as embezzlement, public corruption, bribery, money laundering, trade secrets theft, crimes involving falsified financial records, and computer and internet-related offenses. Export/import violations and other corporate offenses fall under this umbrella as well—and, in many cases, prosecutors will target both companies and their corporate executives in white collar criminal investigations.

Are White Collar Charges State or Federal?

White collar charges can be either state or federal, though most high-stakes white collar cases are prosecuted in district court at the federal level. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), often acting through an Assistant United States Attorney, prosecutes companies and individuals for fraud, tax crimes, False Claims Act violations, anti-money laundering (AML) violations, and a wide range of other offenses that can be classified as white collar crimes.

What Are the Potential Penalties for Fraud and Other White Collar Crimes?

The potential penalties for fraud and other white collar crimes depend on several factors. These include the specific crime charged and whether the case is filed in state or federal court. With certain types of white collar crimes, the parties involved and the dollar value at issue can play a role as well. If you are under investigation or facing charges, a Charleston, SC white collar defense lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. can help you understand what is at stake in your case under the federal sentencing guidelines.White collar convictions can also lead to significant collateral consequences beyond fines and imprisonment.

How Can I Protect Myself (or My Company) During a White Collar Criminal Investigation in Charleston, SC?

If you are facing (or your company is facing) a white collar criminal investigation in Charleston, SC, you should avoid sharing any information with investigators unnecessarily, and you should engage experienced defense counsel immediately. At Oberheiden P.C., we have extensive experience representing clients during high-stakes white collar criminal investigations, and we can provide representation on an emergency basis when necessary.

When Should I Hire a Charleston, SC White Collar Lawyer?

We recommend consulting with a Charleston, SC white collar lawyer whose legal career includes successfuly representing clients at every stage of white collar defense. This is true whether you are concerned about a possible investigation, investigators have knocked on your door, or you have been arrested or indicted. In each of these scenarios, experienced legal representation is essential; and, the sooner you engage a lawyer, the more your lawyer will be able to do to protect you or your company.

Speak with a Charleston, SC White Collar Lawyer in Confidence Today

If you need to speak with a Charleston, SC white collar defense attorney, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. A senior member of our white collar defense team can promptly assess your (or your company’s) situation and help you make informed and strategic decisions about your next steps. To arrange a confidential consultation as soon as possible, call 888-680-1745 or tell us how we can reach you online now.