Last Updated on September 8, 2026 by Justin E. Sterling
White-collar crimes are some of the most complex offenses prosecuted under state and federal law. Individuals charged with fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion, and other financial crimes need sophisticated defenses grounded in evidence like computer data, financial records, and forensic analysis.
If you’ve been charged with a white-collar offense in Glendale, your case may involve thousands of pages of financial documents, emails, business records, and transactions — all of which need a thorough review and an understanding of how prosecutors might use that information to their advantage. At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we bring extensive courtroom experience in defending against white-collar prosecutions. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Glendale white-collar crime lawyer.
Why Choose the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling for Your Glendale White-Collar Case?
If you’re accused of a white-collar crime, you need a skilled criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and best interests. Glendale clients turn to the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling for help navigating white-collar crime charges because of our:
- Experience ‒ Attorney Justin E. Sterling has over 20 years of experience working in Southern California’s criminal justice system. His extensive trial experience includes over 100 jury trials tried to verdict in California courts.
- Commitment ‒ Our full-service criminal defense firm focuses on handling high-stakes cases. Justin Sterling intentionally maintains a smaller caseload so every client receives our full attention and dedicated legal representation.
- Investigative resources ‒ Our legal team includes in-house investigators with professional backgrounds in law enforcement, forensics, and witness identification, all of whom may play a critical role in developing your white-collar defense strategy.
- Reputation ‒ The Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling has the highest 0 Superb rating for Criminal Defense from Avvo and is a trusted resource for the press, having been featured in print and digital media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CBS News, The New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. Justin Sterling has also received industry- and peer-recognized awards, such as The National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Top 40 Under 40.
Our law firm also has a proven track record of success in white-collar criminal cases, including securing dismissal of a federal charge for conspiracy to commit bank fraud for one client after an 8-month inquiry. Although our past results cannot guarantee future success, they show our determination to fight for our clients’ rights and interests.
Past client Jesse De La Torre wrote the following testimonial about our firm:
“Justin made a huge difference in my case. From the start, he guided me through everything and broke things down in a way that was easy to understand during a really stressful time. He came up with smart, effective strategies with his knowledge of the law and clearly has strong connections in the field. Justin was always focused on getting the best outcome for me. I’m really grateful to have had him in my corner!”
What Is a White-Collar Crime in Glendale?
A white-collar crime generally refers to a non-violent criminal offense that involves obtaining money, property, or other benefits through unlawful or fraudulent means. Common examples of white-collar offenses handled in state and federal courts include:
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Bribery
- Identity theft
- Forgery
- Money laundering
- Tax fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Bank fraud (including check fraud, credit card fraud, and mortgage fraud)
- Wire fraud
- Mail fraud
- Welfare fraud
California white-collar criminal statutes typically focus on offenses that occur entirely within the state. In contrast, federal white-collar crimes typically involve cases that occur across state lines or national borders or involve telecommunications systems, the U.S. Postal Service, the banking system, or federal benefits.
In California, a white-collar crime may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, felony, or wobbler offense, depending on the facts of the case. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, recent federal prosecutions in Glendale have involved bank fraud, money laundering, health care fraud, and identity theft.
How Are White-Collar Cases in the Glendale Area Prosecuted?
Your white-collar case may be heard in state or federal courts in the Glendale area, depending on the type of charges you face. State cases generally go through the Los Angeles Superior Court, while federal criminal prosecutions in the L.A. area proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in downtown Los Angeles.
Law enforcement and prosecutors will review significant amounts of evidence to build a white-collar case, such as bank records, Internet logs, computer data, wiretap recordings, surveillance reports, and witness statements. Prosecutors may also subpoena parties for records and relevant information or notify a person that they have become a suspect in a white-collar investigation through a target letter. Consult a white-collar crime attorney as soon as you are notified of the allegations. Investigating and building an effective state or federal criminal defense takes time.
Common Defenses to White-Collar Charges
Despite the complexity of white-collar cases, defendants facing prosecution may have avenues to contest the government’s allegations and pursue a favorable outcome to their case. Common defense strategies that criminal lawyers may use to fight white-collar charges include:
- Lack of intent ‒ Many white-collar cases have an element of intent that the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Defendants may contend that the prosecution’s case fails to prove that they acted with the required criminal intent.
- Mistaken identity ‒ A defendant may argue that witnesses or evidence have mistakenly pointed to them as the perpetrator of the offense.
- Duress ‒ In a duress defense, a defendant claims that they committed the crime because another party threatened them to do it, such as a criminal organization threatening someone to participate in a money laundering scheme.
- Unlawfully obtained evidence ‒ Defendants may seek to exclude evidence from the government’s case by arguing that law enforcement investigators obtained it in violation of defendants’ constitutional rights, such as unlawfully interrogating a suspect or conducting an illegal search, wiretap, or data interception.
What’s Happening with White-Collar Enforcement Right Now?
According to Syracuse University’s TRAC system, most white-collar crime convictions currently involve criminal fraud, such as bank fraud, tax fraud, health care fraud, and identity theft. However, the federal government has scaled back some of its efforts to investigate and prosecute white-collar crimes in recent years. U.S. Attorney’s Offices filed 4,332 white-collar prosecutions in the most recent full fiscal year analyzed by TRAC, less than half the 10,269 prosecutions recorded three decades earlier.
However, less enforcement and a smaller caseload do not mean reduced penalties for individuals convicted of white-collar crimes. According to TRAC, average prison terms for specific categories of criminal convictions ranged from 32 months for corporate fraud to 84 months for insurance fraud. Sentences varied substantially by offense, with some categories carrying significantly longer average terms.
Contact Us for a Free Case Review
Are you facing criminal charges for a white-collar offense? If so, you need a hard-hitting defense attorney who can help you manage the complex legal issues that arise in these high-stakes cases. Contact the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling today for a free, confidential consultation with a white-collar crime lawyer in Glendale, CA. Our firm represents clients throughout Los Angeles County and is standing by to help you.