Lancaster White Collar Crime Defense Attorney
Practicing Lancaster White Collar Crime Defense Since 2007, With a Former DA’s Understanding of How These Cases Are Built
White collar crimes are nonviolent offenses committed for financial gain through deceit, misrepresentation, abuse of trust or fiduciary duty, or hidden means. They often involve people in positions of authority or trust, such as accountants and investment brokers.
These cases are aggressively investigated and prosecuted, especially when they involve large groups of victims or substantial financial harm. Whether you’re under criminal investigation for white collar crime or have already been formally charged, retaining experienced legal representation as soon as possible is critical.
At Law Office of Jesse P. Duran, I represent clients facing white collar charges in Lancaster, California, and throughout the Antelope Valley.
Call (661) 903-8056 or contact me online to schedule a consultation about your white collar crime defense.
White Collar Charges I Handle & What They Can Cost You
White collar charges can be filed as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the offense, the harm to victims, and your prior criminal history. Many are wobbler offenses in California, meaning the prosecutor has discretion to file them as a misdemeanor or a felony. As a white collar crime attorney serving Lancaster and the surrounding Antelope Valley, I build an effective criminal defense based on each client’s specific situation.
Types of white collar crimes I handle:
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Identity theft
- Environmental crimes
- Bribery
- Money laundering
- Counterfeiting
- Bank fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid fraud
- Securities fraud
- Investment fraud, such as Ponzi schemes
- Insurance fraud
- Mortgage fraud
- Welfare fraud
- Tax fraud
- Other types of fraud
A conviction can mean prison, fines, restitution to victims, and probation. California can also increase penalties under the aggravated white collar crime enhancement (Penal Code 186.11) when two or more related fraud or embezzlement felonies in a single proceeding involve a total loss exceeding $100,000. Your property and assets may also be seized through asset forfeiture. In less serious criminal cases, alternative punishments such as home detention may be available in place of jail time.
The collateral consequences are just as serious. A white collar conviction can cost you professional licenses, damage your reputation, and make it difficult to find work or obtain new licensure. These cases can also be prosecuted at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Justice rather than the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, particularly when victims span state lines or federal agencies such as the FBI, IRS, or SEC are involved. The prosecution venue significantly affects the charges, penalties, and court process you face.
Why Acting Before Charges Are Filed Can Matter
White collar investigations often begin months before any arrest or formal charge. Law enforcement may be reviewing financial records, interviewing witnesses, or executing search warrants long before you receive official notice. If you learn you’re under investigation, contacting a white collar crime lawyer in Lancaster promptly gives me the opportunity to intervene during that window.
Early involvement allows me to act as an intermediary with law enforcement, manage your communications, and in some cases present facts to prosecutors that may help prevent charges from being filed or support a reduction in the offenses charged. Once a search warrant has been executed or investigators have approached you directly, every day without counsel increases your exposure.
Why Lancaster Clients Bring Their White Collar Cases to Me
Prosecutors pursue white collar convictions aggressively, and you need a defender who understands exactly how they build their cases. I’ve been practicing criminal defense in Lancaster since 2007, and I concentrate my practice on select Northern Los Angeles County courthouses. That focus gives me working familiarity with the local judges, prosecutors, and court staff who handle these matters. Before entering private practice, I worked in the District Attorney’s Office in Van Nuys, which means I understand firsthand how prosecutors evaluate and build white collar cases. That background informs how I approach your defense.
Every case is handled directly by me from the initial consultation through court appearances. I’m bilingual in English and Spanish, I hold a 10.0 Superb Avvo Rating, and I’ve received recognition from the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. When you need a white collar crime attorney in Lancaster, you work with me throughout your case.
Contact Jesse P. Duran at (661) 903-8056 for immediate legal support.