Sumpter Gonzalez lawyers discussing a case
Federal
The visit is unannounced.
Two well-dressed federal agents knock on your door. They are polite, openly show you their credentials, and kindly ask permission to speak with you. They are not belligerent. They do not look like police officers. They do not act like police officers. They are earnest in wanting to speak with you, but vague enough to not explain why. They give you just enough information that you want to speak with them.
And this is why many federal white collar cases begin with not a bang, but a whimper.
What is the beginning of the case for you is often the last stage in the investigation for them. The Assistant United States Attorney has already subpoenaed your bank records and credit card statements. Federal agents have retrieved your emails and social media conversation through the exception to the Stored Communications Act. IRS agents have spent month tracing deposits and withdraws and comparing it to your tax returns. By the time they knock on your door, their investigation has been going on for months.
To be sure, many federal cases also begin with a crash: dozens of agents executing a search warrant and seizing every digital device and server in your home or office. Evidence has been obtained through consensual telephone monitoring or surveillance or pole cameras or embedded recording devices. Witnesses have been interviewed. Hundreds of pages of 302s have been written. The search warrant execution is the last stage in the process.
White Collar Crime
White collar crimes can be summarized as types of offenses that involves a high degree of sophistication, market manipulation, or a catch-all for unethical business practices that cross the line.
We’ll put Kristin Etter’s success rate in defending white collar charges up against anyone’s. As the leader of our federal defense team, and previously as an Assistant Federal Defender, she’s handled hundreds of cases and helped countless business people educate themselves on how to stay clear of legal and regulatory violations.
If you have been arrested for any of the following, contact us:
Corporate Criminal Investigations • Securities Fraud • Wire Fraud • Mail Fraud • Ponzi & Pyramid Scheme • Insider Trading • Antitrust Violation • Bank Fraud • False Statements to a Monetary Institution • Embezzlement • Money Laundering • Bulk Cash Smuggling • Tax Evasion • Tax Fraud • Medicaid Fraud • Healthcare Fraud • Environmental Crime • Bankruptcy Fraud • Insurance Fraud • Mortgage Fraud • Economic Espionage • Theft of Trade Secrets • Sarbanes-Oxley Violations • Counterfeiting • Counterfeit Goods • Blackmail • Extortion • Espionage • Trade Embargo Violation • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Public Corruption
Under the RICO (Racketeer-Influence and Corrupt Organization) Act, corruption is classified as a type of racketeering in Texas. This means that a business or act is run illegally as part of organized crime. As with every case, there are two sides to a story. If you have been charged with a corruption-related offense, contact our experienced team to have your story told.
Federal Criminal Defense
Often referred to white collar crime, this kind of offense refers to abuse of fiduciary trust, fraud, corporate offenses and a wide range of unethical business practices. These are highly sophisticated cases that require creativity, detail, research and persistence.
Criminal Defense
From DUI to drug charges to theft and assault, we will work to defend you based on who you truly are — not how you’re defined by your charge.
Juvenile
Holistic advocacy is crucial to protect and defend a child and their families. Our approach sets up clients to prepare their children for successful adult life.
Civil Plaintiff
You want us on your side, no matter which side you’re on. Our background in criminal defense law gives us the experience to anticipate challenges from both sides, making our team of Plaintiff attorneys incredibly well-rounded.
Consulting and Training
Sumpter & Gonzalez is frequently sought out by other lawyers to advise their most complicated, out-of-the-box cases. Our depth of knowledge in all areas of the law and our passion for education make us effective consultants and trainers.