Maryland White Collar Crime Defense Attorney
White collar cases are document heavy, intent driven, and often start long before an arrest, sometimes with a subpoena, an audit, or a knock from an investigator. Your first moves in those weeks can shape the whole case. FrizWoods defends fraud, embezzlement, bribery, and related financial charges in Maryland state and federal court, and we keep it discreet.
If you are under investigation or already charged, contact us for a confidential, free consultation, or call our 24/7 line at (877) 343-1031.
Max Frizalone
Founding partner of FrizWoods LLC known for courtroom-first strategy and client-focused advocacy.
- Former Prince George's County State's Attorney and Maryland Public Defender.
- Handled serious cases including carjackings, attempted murder, armed robbery, and violent felonies.
- A thoroughly reviewed criminal lawyer with a track record of trial wins in high-stakes felony and misdemeanor cases.
Luke Woods
Veteran trial attorney with decades of criminal defense experience across Maryland courts.
- Over 20 years of experience in Maryland criminal courts
- Handled thousands of cases and 100+ trials.
- Extensive motion practice, jury/bench trials, and complex felony litigation.
Types of White Collar Charges We Handle
Maryland prosecutes most financial crimes under its theft and fraud statutes, and many of these cases can also be charged federally. These are the charges we defend most often.
Embezzlement
Prosecutors charge embezzlement when someone who was lawfully entrusted with money or property misappropriates it, like an employee, corporate officer, or fiduciary accused of taking from a business or client. Maryland prosecutes it under the theft statute, so the penalty tracks the value taken, from a misdemeanor under $1,500 up to 25 years for amounts over $100,000. Fiduciaries face a separate offense under Criminal Law Section 7-113. See our embezzlement defense page.
Fraud and Bad Checks
Fraud and bad check offenses live in Title 8 of the Criminal Law Article, which also covers credit card offenses and identity theft. A bad check charge scales with the amount, from a 90-day misdemeanor under $100 up to a 20-year felony over $100,000. Learn more on our fraud and bad check page and our guide to credit card fraud in Maryland.
Bribery
Bribery of a public employee under Criminal Law Section 9-201 is one of the few Maryland misdemeanors with a true mandatory minimum: 2 to 12 years in prison, a fine of $5,000 to $25,000, and loss of the right to vote and hold public office. Related offenses cover jurors, elections, and athletic contests. Our bribery lawyer page explains how these cases are defended.
Forgery, Identity Theft, and Related Charges
Title 8 also reaches forgery and identity offenses, including a new gift card forgery offense. Where a financial case overlaps with efforts to cover it up, prosecutors may add an obstruction of justice charge. Many of these cases also involve underlying theft charges, which we defend across every value tier at our theft cases page.
State vs Federal White Collar Cases
The same conduct can land in state court, federal court, or both. Whether the case is charged federally often depends on the amount of money involved and whether the alleged crime crossed state lines. The venue matters: in federal court the timeline is different, the sentencing guidelines are different, and the agencies investigating you have significant resources. Knowing early which direction a case is heading changes how we advise you and how we step in.
Security Clearance and Professional License Consequences
For many white collar clients, the criminal penalty is not the only worry. A financial crime conviction can damage your reputation and your ability to work in fields that involve financial management or fiduciary responsibility. It can also put a professional license or a security clearance at risk. If you hold a clearance, we build that into the defense from day one, and our guide on Maryland charges and security clearances is a useful starting point.
How We Defend White Collar Cases
Because these cases turn on documents and intent, the defense usually starts well before trial:
- Early intervention. Bringing in counsel during the investigation, before charges, is often where we do the most valuable work.
- Document and forensic review. We work with forensic accountants and financial experts to test the paper trail, find inconsistencies, and offer alternative explanations for what the State calls a crime.
- Attacking intent. Fraud, embezzlement, and bribery all require a specific corrupt or dishonest intent. An accounting error, a misunderstanding, or a lawful payment is not a crime, and if the State cannot prove intent, a judge can dismiss the charge or the prosecutor can reduce it.
- Testing the evidence. These cases lean on recordings, informants, and financial records. We can challenge each one for reliability and for how the State obtained it, and defenses like duress or entrapment can apply.
- Negotiation when it fits. When the facts call for it, we negotiate toward reduced charges or a resolution that protects your record and your livelihood.
White Collar Defense FAQ
What should I do if I think I am under investigation?
Talk to a lawyer before you talk to investigators, and avoid making statements to your employer or law enforcement without counsel. Anything you say can be used against you, and early legal advice is often what keeps a case from getting worse.
Can a white collar charge be filed in both state and federal court?
Yes. The same conduct can be charged at the state or federal level depending on the amount involved and whether it crossed state lines.
Will a financial crime conviction affect my job or license?
It can. A conviction can damage your reputation and your ability to work in fields involving financial management or fiduciary duties, and it can jeopardize a professional license or security clearance.
Is bribery a felony in Maryland?
Public employee bribery under Section 9-201 is labeled a misdemeanor, but with a 2-year mandatory minimum and loss of voting and office-holding rights, it functions like a serious felony.
Talk to a Maryland White Collar Defense Attorney
A white collar accusation puts your freedom, your finances, and your reputation on the line at the same time. The earlier experienced counsel gets involved, the more options there are to protect all three.
Call (301) 720-1917 or reach our 24/7 line at (877) 343-1031, or request a confidential consultation. Related resources: Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer and Felony Defense.