Best White Collar Crime Lawyers in Arta

About White Collar Crime Law in Arta, Greece

White collar crime in Arta refers to non-violent offenses committed for financial gain, often involving deception, breach of trust, or abuse of position. Typical examples include fraud, embezzlement, forgery, bribery and corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, insider dealing, market manipulation, procurement irregularities, misuse of EU or state subsidies, and cyber-enabled economic offenses. These cases can be complex, involve voluminous records, and often require specialized investigation. In Greece, white collar cases are prosecuted under the Greek Penal Code, special financial crime statutes, and European Union regulations that apply domestically. In Arta, investigations and prosecutions are handled by local prosecutors and investigative judges, often working with specialized financial enforcement bodies that operate regionally, such as units based in Ioannina.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if you receive a summons from the police or prosecutor, your business or home is searched, your bank accounts are frozen, or you are requested to provide documents or testimony. Individuals and companies also seek counsel when they discover potential wrongdoing internally and want to conduct a privileged internal investigation, when they need to self-report to authorities, or when they face parallel tax audits and criminal inquiries.

A lawyer can advise you before speaking to authorities, protect your rights during searches and interviews, engage with prosecutors to narrow the scope of requests, negotiate procedural options such as plea agreements where available, and coordinate expert forensic accounting support. For companies in Arta, counsel can also help implement compliance programs, manage whistleblower reports, and reduce exposure to collateral risks like debarment from public tenders or reputational harm.

Local Laws Overview

Core criminal provisions - The Greek Penal Code criminalizes key white collar offenses, including fraud, computer fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, forgery, and bribery of public officials and judges. The severity of penalties often depends on the amount of financial damage and the status of the victim or perpetrator. Higher loss thresholds can elevate offenses from misdemeanors to felonies, which carry heavier penalties and longer limitation periods.

Money laundering - Law 4557-2018 sets out the Greek anti-money laundering framework, including customer due diligence obligations for financial and non-financial professionals, suspicious transaction reporting, and powers for freezing and confiscation. Violations can trigger both criminal liability for individuals and administrative sanctions for legal entities.

Tax crimes - Tax evasion and related offenses are addressed mainly in the Tax Procedure Code and complementary tax legislation. The Independent Authority for Public Revenue conducts audits and can refer serious cases for criminal prosecution. Administrative and criminal tracks may proceed in parallel.

Capital markets and insider dealing - Market abuse, insider trading, and manipulation are governed by European Union rules that apply in Greece, supervised by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. Sanctions can be criminal or administrative depending on the conduct.

Public procurement and corruption - Greek public procurement law provides integrity rules and potential exclusion from tenders in cases of corruption or serious professional misconduct. Bribery and trading in influence are prosecuted under the Penal Code. Self-reporting and cooperation can be relevant for mitigation, subject to the facts and legal framework.

Corporate exposure - Greece does not generally impose criminal liability on legal entities, but companies may face significant administrative fines, licensing consequences, confiscation of assets, and exclusion from public contracts for certain offenses such as money laundering and corruption. Directors and officers can face personal criminal liability.

Procedure in Arta - Investigations typically begin with a preliminary inquiry by the local prosecutor. For serious felonies, an investigating judge may be assigned. Coercive measures can include searches, subpoenas, travel restrictions, and asset freezes. Defendants have rights to counsel, to remain silent, and to access the case file at the appropriate stage. Pretrial detention is exceptional but possible in felony cases. Appeals from Arta usually proceed to the Court of Appeal with regional jurisdiction, commonly Ioannina.

Limitation periods - Most misdemeanors expire after approximately five years, and many felonies after approximately fifteen years, subject to suspensions and interruptions that can extend the effective period. Timelines are fact specific and should be assessed by counsel.

Plea mechanisms and settlements - The Code of Criminal Procedure provides structured options such as plea agreements in certain cases and penal orders for some misdemeanors. Eligibility depends on the offense category and stage of proceedings. Early cooperation and restitution can influence charging and sentencing outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as white collar crime in Arta

Common offenses include fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, forgery of documents, bribery and corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, misuse of subsidies or EU funds, insider trading, market manipulation, and cyber-enabled schemes like phishing or unauthorized electronic transfers.

Which authorities investigate white collar cases in Arta

Local prosecutors and police initiate and coordinate cases. They often work with specialized bodies such as the Financial and Economic Crime Unit of the Ministry of National Economy and Finance, the Financial Police of the Hellenic Police, the Independent Authority for Public Revenue for tax matters, and the Anti Money Laundering Authority. Regional units based in Ioannina commonly support cases arising in Arta.

Where will my case be heard

Most cases start before the Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Arta. Trials for misdemeanors are held locally. Serious felonies can proceed before mixed courts or three member felony courts, with appeals heard by the competent Court of Appeal for the region, typically Ioannina.

Can the authorities freeze my bank accounts or seize assets

Yes. Under the Penal Code and the anti money laundering law, prosecutors and investigating judges can order freezing and seizure of assets suspected to be proceeds or instrumentalities of crime. You have the right to challenge such measures, and timing is important.

Do I have to talk to the police or prosecutor if contacted

No. You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. It is best to consult counsel before giving any statement or handing over devices or documents, except where you are legally compelled and advised by your lawyer.

How long do investigations usually take

White collar investigations can take months or years due to forensic accounting, document review, and international requests. Statutory deadlines apply, but extensions are common in complex cases. Early engagement with authorities can sometimes narrow issues and shorten timelines.

Will my company be criminally liable

In Greece, individuals are primarily criminally liable. However, companies can face administrative penalties, confiscation, licensing consequences, and exclusion from public procurement for certain offenses. A robust compliance program and documented remediation can mitigate exposure.

Is there legal aid available in Arta

Yes. Low income individuals may qualify for state funded legal aid in criminal matters, subject to income thresholds and case criteria. You apply through the local court. Your lawyer can guide you through eligibility and documentation.

Can a case be resolved with a plea agreement

In appropriate cases, the Code of Criminal Procedure allows plea agreements or penal orders, depending on the offense and stage of proceedings. Eligibility is fact specific. Cooperation, restitution, and remedial actions can positively influence outcomes.

What should I do if my business receives a dawn raid or document request

Call your lawyer immediately, request and keep copies of the warrant or request, cooperate lawfully while asserting your rights, keep an inventory of seized items, do not destroy or alter documents, and implement a litigation hold across email and devices.

Additional Resources

Prosecutor of the Court of First Instance of Arta - Receives criminal complaints and oversees preliminary inquiries locally.

Court of First Instance of Arta - Handles initial judicial proceedings and trials for many offenses arising in Arta.

Court of Appeal with regional jurisdiction, commonly Ioannina - Hears appeals and certain serious cases from Arta.

Financial and Economic Crime Unit SDOE - Specialized investigative service for financial crimes and smuggling, operating regionally.

Hellenic Police Financial Police Directorate - Investigates tax and financial crime in coordination with prosecutors.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE - Conducts tax audits, imposes administrative measures, and refers serious tax crimes for prosecution.

Anti Money Laundering Authority - Independent authority for freezing orders, financial intelligence, and enforcement of AML rules.

Hellenic Capital Market Commission - Supervises securities markets, insider trading, and market abuse.

Hellenic Competition Commission - Investigates cartels, abuse of dominance, and related economic offenses.

National Transparency Authority - Oversees integrity and public sector compliance, receives corruption related reports.

Next Steps

Do not ignore any summons or official notice. Missing deadlines can seriously harm your position.

Engage a white collar crime lawyer experienced in Arta and the regional courts. Ask about experience with financial investigations, asset freezes, and negotiations with prosecutors.

Preserve all potentially relevant evidence. Issue a litigation hold, suspend routine deletion, and safeguard emails, devices, accounting files, and messaging data. Do not destroy or alter any records.

Gather key documents. Collect corporate documents, contracts, invoices, bank statements, tax filings, communications with counterparties, and any internal reports. Prepare a fact timeline to brief your lawyer.

Assess insurance and disclosure obligations. Some policies provide defense cost coverage. Consider obligations to notify auditors, lenders, regulators, or counterparties, guided by counsel.

Consider an internal investigation. Where appropriate, your lawyer can coordinate forensic accounting, data collection, and interviews under legal privilege, and plan for remediation or self reporting if advisable.

Map parallel risks. Coordinate criminal defense with tax proceedings, regulatory inquiries, and civil claims to avoid inconsistent positions and protect rights across matters.

Discuss resolution pathways. Explore eligibility for plea mechanisms, restitution, or cooperation. Early and credible remediation can influence charging decisions and sentencing.

This guide provides general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation in Arta, consult a qualified lawyer promptly.