Best White Collar Crime Lawyers in Aurich

About White Collar Crime Law in Aurich, Germany

White-collar crime covers non-violent, financially motivated offenses committed by individuals, managers or companies. In Aurich - as elsewhere in Germany - these matters are handled under national criminal and regulatory law, enforced locally by police and the public prosecutor's office and heard in the local courts. Common types of white-collar crime include fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, corruption, money laundering, tax offenses and accounting or financial-market violations. Cases often involve documentary evidence, electronic records and forensic accounting, and may trigger parallel civil, administrative or regulatory proceedings in addition to criminal investigations.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

If you are under investigation, accused, or implicated as a witness, engaging a lawyer early is important. A specialist criminal lawyer with experience in economic offenses - Wirtschaftsstrafrecht - helps protect your rights, advises on whether and how to answer questions from police or prosecutors, manages contact with authorities, and formulates a defence strategy. Lawyers assist companies with internal investigations, help preserve privilege where possible, advise on document handling and data-protection issues, and negotiate with prosecutors about potential measures such as case suspension, fines or settlement options. Because white-collar matters often involve complex evidence, cross-border issues and regulatory exposure, specialist legal advice reduces legal, financial and reputational risks.

Local Laws Overview

German criminal law applies in Aurich through nationally applicable statutes. Key legal frameworks and concepts to know include:

- Criminal code - Strafgesetzbuch (StGB): contains core offences relevant to white-collar crime such as fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust and corruption.

- Money-laundering framework - Geldwäschegesetz (GwG): sets preventive duties for financial institutions and introduces criminal and administrative measures for laundering offenses.

- Tax law and tax-criminal provisions - Abgabenordnung and related statutes: govern tax crimes and administrative tax penalties and are prosecuted by tax authorities together with prosecutors.

- Financial-market rules - Wertpapierhandelsrecht and EU market abuse regulations: govern insider dealing and market manipulation and may trigger both criminal and regulatory actions, overseen in part by BaFin.

- Accounting and company law obligations - Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB) and corporate law duties: failures in accounting can become evidence for criminal charges and lead to corporate liability.

Local enforcement and institutions relevant in Aurich include the local police, the Staatsanwaltschaft (public prosecutor) for Aurich, the Amtsgericht Aurich for preliminary and minor hearings and higher regional courts in Lower Saxony for serious trials. State-level bodies such as the Landeskriminalamt Niedersachsen may assist in complex investigations, and national regulators such as BaFin intervene in financial-market matters. Investigative tools available to authorities include search and seizure, seizure of electronic devices, phone monitoring under strict conditions, witness questioning and arrest if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly counts as white-collar crime in Aurich?

White-collar crime covers a range of financially motivated offenses committed by individuals or organisations. Typical examples are fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, accounting fraud and insider trading. The defining features are the financial motive and the use of non-violent means such as deception, misuse of position or manipulation of records.

How do investigations usually start?

Investigations can start in many ways - complaints from clients, whistleblower reports, routine audits, suspicious transfers flagged by banks, tips to tax authorities, findings in regulatory inspections or unexpected internal reviews. Once authorities receive information suggesting a criminal act, the Staatsanwaltschaft may open a formal investigation and instruct the police or specialised units to gather evidence.

What should I do if police or prosecutors come to my home or office?

Stay calm. You have the right to seek legal counsel and to remain silent if you are a suspect. Do not destroy or alter documents or electronic files. Politely inform the officers that you will exercise your right to contact a lawyer and that you will not answer substantive questions without legal advice. If they present a search warrant, comply with lawful instructions but note what is being taken and consider instructing a lawyer immediately.

Can I be arrested, and what happens if I am?

Yes - in serious cases the police can arrest a suspect or seek a detention order from a judge. Pre-trial detention may be used where there is a flight risk, a danger of evidence being destroyed or a risk of repeated offending. If detained, request a lawyer immediately. Your lawyer can challenge detention, request release under conditions and represent you at hearings before the judge.

Will my company be held liable as well as individuals?

Yes. Companies can face fines, administrative measures and compliance obligations. German law increasingly allows for corporate penalties and remedial requirements where organisational failings enabled crimes. Companies also face civil claims by injured parties and regulatory sanctions by agencies such as BaFin in the financial sector.

What penalties could I face for white-collar offenses?

Penalties depend on the offense, its gravity and whether it was intentional or negligent. Possible consequences include fines, disgorgement of profits, forfeiture, business bans, professional sanctions and imprisonment. Companies can face substantial fines and remedial orders. Criminal records and reputational damage can have long-term personal and professional consequences.

Do authorities seize financial records and electronic devices?

Yes. Searches and seizures of paper documents, computers, smartphones and servers are common in white-collar investigations. Authorities may also obtain bank records and request account information. If you receive an order to surrender devices or records, consult a lawyer immediately to evaluate privilege, data-protection issues and the scope of the search.

Am I obliged to testify or can I remain silent?

If you are a suspect you have the right to remain silent and to consult a lawyer before answering questions. Witnesses may be compelled to testify but must tell the truth under threat of penalty. Because witness statements can be used in criminal proceedings, it is prudent to seek legal advice before providing substantive information.

How long do investigations and trials typically take?

There is no fixed timeline. Preliminary investigations can last weeks to months depending on complexity, and large-scale or cross-border cases can take years. If charges are filed, court proceedings vary in length according to the caseload and the complexity of evidence. Early legal intervention can sometimes streamline processes by addressing issues with authorities before formal charges.

How much does legal representation cost and is it covered by insurance?

Costs depend on the lawyer, case complexity and whether the matter goes to trial. Many lawyers offer an initial consultation. Legal expenses insurance - Rechtsschutzversicherung - may cover criminal defence costs in some circumstances, but many policies exclude coverage for intentional criminal acts. Check your policy promptly and tell your lawyer about any insurance that may apply.

Additional Resources

Useful bodies and organisations to consult or be aware of when dealing with white-collar matters in Aurich include:

- Staatsanwaltschaft Aurich - the local public prosecutor responsible for criminal investigations and charges.

- Polizeidienststellen in Ostfriesland and Landeskriminalamt Niedersachsen for criminal investigations and specialist assistance.

- Amtsgericht Aurich and the higher regional courts of Lower Saxony for judicial proceedings.

- Finanzamt Aurich and tax investigation units for tax-related offenses.

- Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht - BaFin - for financial-market regulation and enforcement.

- Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) for cases with national or international dimensions.

- Professional bodies such as the local Rechtsanwaltskammer and Steuerberaterkammer for finding qualified lawyers and tax advisors, and the Wirtschaftsprüferkammer for audit professionals.

- Justizportal Niedersachsen and the Ministry of Justice of Lower Saxony for procedural information and public notices.

Next Steps

If you think you may be involved in or subject to an investigation, take the following practical steps:

- Preserve documents and electronic records - do not delete emails, files or messages. Note any dates, contacts and events that may be relevant.

- Do not discuss the matter publicly or on social media. Limit conversations about the case to your lawyer.

- If authorities contact you or arrive at your premises, politely invoke your right to legal counsel and avoid answering substantive questions until you have spoken with a lawyer.

- Contact a lawyer who specialises in Wirtschaftsstrafrecht or criminal defence with experience in economic and regulatory matters. Ask about initial consultation terms and whether they handle internal corporate investigations if your employer is involved.

- Review any legal expense insurance you have and notify the insurer promptly if required by policy conditions.

- If you are acting for a company, consider engaging external counsel to conduct an independent internal investigation, to assess organisational risks and to recommend remedial measures and compliance improvements.

This guide is informational and does not replace personalised legal advice. White-collar cases can have serious legal and practical consequences, so consult an experienced lawyer promptly to understand your rights and options in your specific situation.