The Law Offices

Paul Puri is a white collar crime attorney in San Francisco, the Bay Area, San Jose and Northern California. He has a very high success rate with federal fraud defense. Fraud prosecutions in the Bay Area are on the rise. Federal prosecutors have expanded the use of the Mail Fraud, Wire Fraud, Money Laundering and Tax Evasion statutes to prosecute more and more cases in this area. A species of fraud has been articulated in every line of business. County prosecutors are taking on more and more responsibility from the federal authorities, preempting fraud prosecutions at the state level.

Everyday people and executives can be charged federally under these statutes for any fraud crime where the accused made use of the mails or wires to obtain monies illegally. Sending or receiving a check or invoice over the mail, internet or transacting via telephone will subject one to risk federal prosecution where a fraud is alleged. United States prosecutor's try to keep their cases simple by alleging tax evasion or tax fraud and money launder charges to any fraud allegation.

However, fraud prosecutions are not exclusively federal. State and local prosecutors also prosecute fraud crimes. Usually, these charges will be deemed embezzlement, trade secret theft, commercial burglary, larceny, etc. There are numerous charges involving professional services where the state Attorney General's office becomes involved. In the state context, it is usually not an executive involved; rather, it may be an employee or middle management individual. Small businesses, and independent professionals are often the target of local prosecutors and/or the California Attorney General's office.

Probably the key feature of this area of law is that there is little or no physical evidence involved. The entire prosecution will be based almost exclusively on documents and witnesses testifying to what the defendant said. In both state and federal court, witnesses are allowed to testify as to what the defendant said. Such testimony is qualified as "not hearsay" or fitting into an exception to the hearsay rule. Because of this defense disadvantage, careful scrutiny of the documentary evidence must be performed to prepare for cross-examination. Investigation of the witnesses must be diligent to open the prosecution witnesses up to impeachment of their credibility for truthfulness. Skilled cross-examination of witnesses is especially crucial in this context where credibility is the currency of victory.

Also, at the federal level there are a variety of possible charges that fall within the fraud arena. Aside from mail fraud, wire fraud and money laundering, federal prosecutors also routinely prosecute tax evasion, and a host of other crimes to add pressure. Many times, prosecutors will invoke civil and criminal forfeiture laws to terminate the monetary lifeblood of the so-called "criminal enterprise." Many defendants are charged with RICO (Racketeering Corrupt Organizations) statute, and as a "continuing criminal enterprise". The Feds like to stack the deck against their targets.

Another important facet of white collar crime practice is that criminal issues are prosecuted in conjunction with civil litigation. Often people are defendant's in both the criminal and civil courts. Often times, criminal trial counsel is retained to represent the civil defendant when it is believed that a criminal investigation is imminent or already instituted.Extreme skill and caution must be exercised in these most delicate legal milieus, because clients are tempted to protect their monetary interests at the expense of their liberty interest. However, it is often possible and advisable to maneuver between the gray areas of liability and leverage, and secure an end to both the financial and personal nightmare a complex joint civil and criminal prosecution entails. Careful strategy can eliminate the dreaded Hobson's choice.

Paul Puri has experience battling the federal and state authorities in large scale prosecutions. His efforts have resulted in cases being dismissed, and/or drastically reduced. Mr. Puri is an experienced trial attorney whose investigation and courtroom strategies leads to numerous victories.

Paul Puri can assist with charges involving Money Laundering, Bankruptcy Fraud, Import Export Violations, Securities Fraud, Racketeering, Tax Fraud, Antitrust, Environmental Crimes, Copyright Trademark Violations, Civil San Criminal Forfeiture, Continuing Criminal Enterprise, RICO, in Oakland, San Jose, Palo Alto, Fremont, San Rafael, Walnut Creek, Sacramento, Fresno, Modesto, Northern California, and in all federal courts.