Sacramento White Collar Crime Lawyer

Serious Defense For High-Stakes Financial Allegations

If you are under investigation or facing charges for a financial or white collar offense in the Sacramento area, your career, reputation, and freedom may all be on the line. These cases often move quietly at first, which leaves many people unsure what is really happening or how serious the situation is.

At Walsh Law, we represent good people who find themselves, sometimes suddenly, on the wrong side of a criminal investigation. Our firm is led by attorney Chris Walsh, a former Chief Assistant District Attorney and homicide prosecutor with more than 19 years in criminal law and over 100 jury trials. We use that experience to help clients navigate complex white collar allegations with discretion and strength.

We focus exclusively on criminal defense, and we intentionally limit the number of cases we accept so we can give each matter the attention it deserves. If you are worried about what comes next, we are ready to listen, explain your options, and begin protecting you.

Contact our firm today at (916) 610-3558 to schedule a free consultation.

Common Types of White Collar Crimes

White collar crime is a broad umbrella. At [Sub:BusinessName], we represent clients facing a wide array of charges in both California state and federal courts.

Fraud

Fraud is the intentional deception of a person or entity for monetary gain. This includes:

• Mail and Wire Fraud: Using the U.S. Postal Service or electronic communications (email, social media, etc.) to further a scheme.
• Healthcare Fraud: Overbilling insurance companies or Medicare/Medicaid.
• Securities Fraud: Insider trading or misrepresenting information to investors.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement occurs when someone who was entrusted with money or property misappropriates it for their own use. This often happens in corporate settings where an employee directs company funds into a personal account.

Money Laundering

This involves "cleaning" money obtained through illegal activities by funneling it through a legitimate business or complex series of bank transfers to make it appear legal.

Bribery and Public Corruption

Given Sacramento’s status as the seat of state government, public corruption is a high priority for local prosecutors. This involves offering or receiving something of value to influence the actions of a public official.

Identity Theft and Cybercrimes

Using someone else’s personal information for financial gain or hacking into secure databases to steal proprietary information or assets.

Legal Defenses to White Collar Crimes

Defending a white collar case requires a different toolkit than a standard criminal trial. We focus on dismantling the prosecution’s narrative through meticulous evidence review and the use of forensic experts.

• Lack of Intent: Most white collar crimes require the prosecution to prove you intended to defraud or steal. If the incident was the result of a clerical error, poor accounting, or a misunderstanding of complex regulations, there is no crime.
• Entrapment: If law enforcement pressured or coerced you into committing a crime you otherwise would not have committed, the case may be dismissed.
• Duress: In some instances, an individual may be forced into participating in a financial scheme under threat of harm.
• Insufficient Evidence: Prosecutors must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt. In complex financial cases, the "paper trail" is often ambiguous. We work to highlight the gaps in their logic.

White Collar Crime FAQs

Does a white collar crime conviction mean prison time?

Yes, it can. While these are non-violent offenses, federal and state sentencing guidelines for high-value financial crimes are severe. However, a skilled attorney can often negotiate for alternatives like house arrest, restitution, or reduced sentencing.

Can I be charged if I didn't know the activity was illegal?

While "ignorance of the law" is rarely a complete defense, intent is a massive factor. If you genuinely believed your actions were part of a legal business transaction, it can be a powerful defense against fraud or embezzlement charges.

What should I do if federal agents show up at my office?

Do not speak to them. Politely inform them that you wish to have your attorney present before answering any questions. Even seemingly "helpful" statements can be used against you later. Contact [Sub:BusinessName] immediately.

How long do white collar investigations last?

These investigations are marathons, not sprints. They can last years as investigators pore over bank records and emails. This "pre-charge" period is actually the best time to hire a lawyer to mitigate the damage.

Why Our Team Handles White Collar Cases

White collar charges often involve thousands of pages of documents, complicated financial records, and detailed timelines of business decisions. The government may have spent months building its case, sometimes before you even learned you were a target. In this environment, you need a white collar crime attorney who understands how prosecutors think and what they must prove to a jury.

Chris Walsh spent years inside California prosecutor offices, including serving as Chief Assistant District Attorney in Nevada County and working as a deputy district attorney in Kings, Fresno, and Santa Clara counties. He personally tried more than 100 jury trials and was trusted with some of the most serious cases, including homicides and high-profile matters. That background gives our team a detailed understanding of how investigators assemble financial cases and how charging decisions are made.

Our credentials include multiple awards and professional recognition. Chris was twice selected as Prosecutor of the Year in Fresno County, nominated for Trial Attorney of the Year in Santa Clara County, and has been recognized among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers. He graduated with honors, passed the bar at 22, and has devoted his career to criminal law. We do not mention these achievements to impress you, but to show that when you hire us, you are working with a lawyer who has been in high-stakes courtrooms many times.

We also make a deliberate choice to keep our caseload small. Unlike large firms that run high volumes of files, we take on a limited number of clients so we can dig into the details, respond to your questions, and stay fully engaged from the first call through resolution. Our approach combines white-glove service with a blue-collar attitude. We are straight shooters, we work hard, and we press on even when the case is difficult.

To discuss your case with our team, call (916) 610-3558.