Top Santa Maria Federal & White Collar Crimes Lawyers - California

We've collected a list of the best lawyers in Santa Maria to help you fight high-profile charges such as, embezzlement, securities fraud, tax evasion and tax fraud, bank fraud (and related financial crimes), wire fraud, insider trading, public corruption, violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), credit card fraud, racketeering and RICO investigations, Medicaid fraud and other forms of health care fraud, insurance fraud, and money laundering. Whether you are a CEO who is facing an internal investigation and subsequent prosecution at the federal level, or if you simply work at a financial institution and are facing charges due to a misunderstanding, these criminal defense lawyers are here to help you.

There are a variety of issues in white collar criminal cases that only seasoned defense lawyers will be able to help you address. From challenging the adequacy of grand jury investigations to fighting off arcane procedural maneuvers used by the Department of Justice in federal court, having the right criminal defense lawyers on your side can make or break your case. Make sure that you get one of these criminal law experts on your side sooner than later, so that they have time to build the strongest case possible for you.

Many people who need to find a lawyer in California have never hired a lawyer before. Talking to a lawyer may be a new experience and you might want some help getting started. Here are some questions you may want to ask a lawyer before deciding who to hire.

• What is your main practice area?
• How many years of experience do you have in California with cases like mine?
• How often do you take cases to trial or settle them out of court?
• Can I take my case through mediation or arbitration?
• Do you offer a free consultation?
• What are your fees and costs?
• Will you be the attorney primarily handling my case?
• How will I be kept up-to-date about my case?

In order to practice law in California, attorneys have to both pass the California bar exam and be admitted by the State Bar of California. Most attorneys in California graduate from an accredited law school but some lawyers are admitted through on-the-job experience for a minimum of 4 years and through passing an additional legal exam. After a lawyer is admitted to law practice in California, they can practice in almost any area of law.

Lawyers in California are held to strict ethical guidelines known as the Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys may have duties and limitations in:

• Attorney-client confidentiality
• Duty of client advocacy
• Conflicts of interest
• Duty of candor
• Limitations in soliciting clients
• Restrictions on handling a client's money

Many people avoid calling a lawyer because they are worried it will be too expensive. In many cases, a lawyer can end up saving the client money. This includes getting an increased award, recovering additional damages, avoiding financial problems in the future, and avoiding future disputes and litigation. Some legal areas even allow the lawyer to recover legal fees from the party at fault.