Houston White Collar Crimes Defense Lawyer
Federal fraud charges, money laundering, and embezzlement carry life-altering consequences. Sara Roque defends Houston professionals and business owners against white collar prosecution.
Credit card & bank fraud
Unauthorized use of financial instruments, account takeover, and check fraud. Sara challenges intent, authorization, and the valuation of alleged loss.
Money laundering
Concealing the proceeds of criminal activity through financial transactions. Complex financial cases requiring forensic accounting defense.
Securities & investment fraud
Ponzi schemes, insider trading, and investment misrepresentation. Sara coordinates with securities law specialists for complex federal cases.
Embezzlement
Theft or misappropriation by someone in a position of trust — an employee, officer, or fiduciary. Sara investigates bookkeeping disputes and authority issues.
Wire & mail fraud
Federal charges requiring interstate communication or mail in furtherance of a scheme to defraud. The most common federal hook for financial crimes.
Healthcare & insurance fraud
Billing fraud, upcoding, and kickback arrangements. Sara defends medical professionals and businesses facing federal healthcare fraud prosecution.
WHITE COLLAR DEFENSE STRATEGY
How Sara Defends Financial Crimes Cases
- 1
Early intervention
Sara gets involved before charges are filed — responding to subpoenas, grand jury investigations, and DOJ inquiries to shape the outcome before prosecution begins.
- 2
Financial forensics
Sara retains forensic accountants to analyze transaction records, identify innocent explanations, and challenge the prosecution’s loss calculations.
- 3
Intent defense
White collar crimes require criminal intent. Sara builds defenses around good-faith belief, reliance on advisors, accounting error, and honest mistake.
- 4
Negotiation strategy
Pre-indictment negotiation with prosecutors can result in no charges, civil settlement instead of criminal prosecution, or significantly reduced charges.
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Trial preparation
Complex financial crime trials require expert witnesses, clear jury communication, and detailed document management. Sara prepares rigorously for trial.
No attorney fees until we win. If we don’t win, you pay nothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
The moment you suspect you’re under investigation — before you’re charged. Early intervention by Sara can shape the investigation’s direction and sometimes prevent charges entirely.
Yes — many white collar cases resolve through plea agreements, deferred prosecution agreements, or civil settlements. Sara evaluates all options to minimize exposure.
Civil fraud results in financial penalties and restitution. Criminal fraud results in prison time, criminal fines, and a permanent record. Many cases involve both civil and criminal exposure simultaneously.
Most fraud charges require proof that you specifically intended to deceive someone for financial gain. Honest mistakes, accounting errors, and good-faith business disputes don’t meet this standard.
Yes. Federal wire fraud carries up to 20 years per count. Healthcare fraud up to 10 years per count. Tax evasion up to 5 years. Multiple counts can stack. Federal sentences are served without parole.
Individual employees can be charged even when the employer is the primary target. Sara advises whether to cooperate with investigators and how to protect yourself during a corporate investigation.
Money laundering involves conducting financial transactions with proceeds of “specified unlawful activity” knowing the money came from crime. It doesn’t require the underlying crime to be charged separately.
Absolutely — medical, legal, real estate, and financial licenses face automatic review upon criminal charges. Sara manages the criminal defense in coordination with professional licensing issues.
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