Best White Collar Crime Lawyers in Thivais

About White Collar Crime Law in Thivais, Greece

White collar crime in Thivais refers to non-violent offenses usually committed in business, public administration, or professional settings for financial gain. Typical allegations include fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, forgery, bribery, bid rigging, tax evasion, money laundering, insider trading, market manipulation, accounting irregularities, and cyber-enabled financial crime.

Although investigations may start locally in Thivais, complex or high-value cases often involve regional or national authorities. Local police and prosecutors can open a case, but specialized bodies such as the Economic Police and the Prosecutor for Financial Crime in Athens may take over. Regulatory agencies can run parallel administrative investigations that later trigger or support criminal proceedings.

Greek law treats serious financial crime as a priority. Authorities use modern tools such as data analytics, bank record tracing, cross-border requests, and coordinated dawn raids. Penalties can include imprisonment, fines, confiscation of assets, and professional or public procurement exclusions. Companies face heavy administrative fines and collateral consequences even when criminal liability primarily targets individuals.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may require a lawyer if you receive a summons for questioning, your premises are searched, your accounts are frozen, or you are notified of a criminal investigation by the police or a prosecutor. Early legal guidance helps protect your rights during interviews and searches, ensures proper handling of privileged material, and preserves critical defenses.

Businesses in Thivais seek counsel when regulators request documents, during dawn raids by tax or competition authorities, after whistleblower reports, or upon discovering suspected internal misconduct. Counsel can design and conduct internal investigations, advise on reporting duties, and coordinate responses to parallel regulatory and criminal actions.

A lawyer is also vital if you are a victim of white collar crime. Victims may file a criminal complaint, claim civil compensation within the criminal case, and obtain freezing orders to preserve assets. Legal advice improves the chances of recovery and helps navigate interactions with insurers and banks.

For cross-border elements, counsel coordinates with foreign authorities, manages data transfers under privacy laws, and addresses extradition risks or European Arrest Warrant issues. Strategic advice may also lead to payment arrangements in tax cases that can reduce or even extinguish criminal exposure.

Local Laws Overview

Core criminal provisions are in the Greek Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. Common offenses include fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, forgery and use of forged documents, computer fraud, and bribery of or by public officials. Market abuse, company law violations, and bookkeeping breaches are governed by specialized statutes and enforced by sector regulators.

Anti-money laundering is governed by Law 4557-2018, which imposes preventive obligations on banks, accountants, lawyers in specified scenarios, real estate professionals, and other obliged entities. It provides for asset freezing and confiscation and permits administrative sanctions against legal entities that benefit from laundering or predicate offenses.

Tax crime enforcement relies on the Tax Procedure Code Law 4174-2013 and related provisions. Non-payment of certified debts to the State above statutory thresholds, VAT fraud, issuance or acceptance of fictitious invoices, and false returns can trigger criminal charges in addition to assessments, surcharges, and administrative penalties. Timely payment or settlement of tax liabilities can mitigate or affect criminal liability in specific circumstances.

Securities and market abuse matters are supervised by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission under European rules, including the Market Abuse Regulation. Financial institutions are overseen by the Bank of Greece. Competition cartel and bid rigging cases are investigated by the Hellenic Competition Commission, which may conduct dawn raids and impose substantial fines. Findings may be shared with prosecutors.

Public procurement integrity is regulated by Law 4412-2016. Convictions for corruption, fraud against the State, or money laundering can lead to exclusion from tenders. Company law and accounting duties are set out in Laws 4548-2018 and 4308-2014, with criminal and administrative exposure for manipulation or falsification of records.

Procedurally, cases may start with a preliminary inquiry by police or a prosecutor, followed by a judicial investigation by an investigating judge. Serious economic cases can be fast-tracked under special procedures and tried before higher courts. Searches require warrants except in urgent cases defined by law. You have the right to remain silent and to counsel from the first procedural step. Interpreters are available if you do not speak Greek.

Statutes of limitations generally range from 5 years for misdemeanors to 15 years for felonies, subject to suspension and interruption. Certain economic offenses have specific rules that can extend effective limitation periods during lengthy proceedings.

Greece does not recognize broad criminal liability of legal entities under the Penal Code. However, companies can face significant administrative fines, confiscation of proceeds, dissolution or suspension measures in narrow cases, debarment from public tenders, and reputational harm. Directors and officers can face personal criminal charges. Directors and officers liability insurance may provide coverage for defense costs depending on the policy.

Plea bargaining and sentence agreements exist under the Code of Criminal Procedure. In tax cases, clearing assessed debts before final judgment can alter or terminate criminal consequences as provided by law. Cooperation with authorities and robust remediation efforts can lead to charging or sentencing benefits.

In Thivais, local police and the Prosecutor at the Court of First Instance handle initial complaints and urgent measures. Complex or high-value cases often coordinate with or transfer to the Economic Police and specialized prosecutors in Athens. Parties should expect coordinated actions between local and national bodies.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as white collar crime in Thivais, Greece

It covers non-violent financial and corporate crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, breach of trust, bribery, forgery, tax crimes, money laundering, insider trading, market manipulation, accounting offenses, and cyber-enabled financial misconduct. The same national laws apply in Thivais as elsewhere in Greece.

Who investigates and prosecutes these cases

Local police and prosecutors in Thivais can open cases. Depending on complexity and value, the Economic Police and the Prosecutor for Financial Crime may lead. Regulators like the Independent Authority for Public Revenue for tax, the Hellenic Capital Market Commission for securities, and the Hellenic Competition Commission can run parallel administrative investigations and refer matters for prosecution.

What should I do if there is a dawn raid at my home or business

Ask for the warrant and identification, contact a lawyer immediately, cooperate without obstructing, and ensure a representative accompanies each search team. Keep a record of what is seized and request copies of on-site inventories. Do not destroy data or discuss the matter internally beyond what is necessary to comply with the warrant.

Do I have to share my device passwords

Investigators can seize devices and request access under judicial authorization. You have a right against self-incrimination, and legal advice is essential before making any statement or providing credentials. Non-cooperation with a lawful order can have consequences, but there are lawful ways to protect privileged and personal data. Ask your lawyer to coordinate with authorities.

Can a company be punished or is it only individuals

Individuals face criminal liability. Companies can be sanctioned administratively for benefiting from offenses such as money laundering, bribery, market abuse, or competition violations. Sanctions include fines, confiscation of proceeds, exclusion from public tenders, and compliance remediation orders.

What are the possible penalties

Penalties range from fines and suspended sentences to long prison terms for serious felonies. Courts can order confiscation of assets, professional bans, and publication of judgments. Regulators can also impose heavy administrative fines and corrective measures.

How long do these cases take

White collar cases can take months to years due to forensic accounting, document review, and expert evidence. Deadlines and statutes of limitations apply, but they can be suspended or interrupted. Early engagement and focused defense strategy can shorten timelines.

Can I settle a tax case to avoid criminal charges

Greek law allows payment or settlement of assessed tax debts that can reduce or eliminate criminal liability in certain situations, especially if payment occurs before final judgment. The availability and effect depend on the offense, timing, and amounts. Obtain advice promptly to preserve options.

Will I be detained while awaiting trial

Pretrial detention is exceptional and subject to strict criteria such as risk of flight or reoffending. Courts often prefer restrictive measures like bail, periodic appearances, or travel bans. Your lawyer can argue for release conditions tailored to your situation.

What if part of the conduct occurred outside Greece

Greek authorities can assert jurisdiction when effects occur in Greece or where Greek nationals are involved, and they cooperate with foreign authorities through mutual legal assistance and European frameworks. You may face asset freezes or a European Arrest Warrant. Coordinated cross-border defense is crucial.

Additional Resources

Anti-Money Laundering Authority - Hellenic Financial Intelligence Unit.

Independent Authority for Public Revenue AADE - for tax audits and tax crime referrals.

Hellenic Capital Market Commission - for securities and market abuse matters.

Bank of Greece - for banking supervision and AML compliance in financial institutions.

Hellenic Competition Commission - for cartel, abuse of dominance, and dawn raids.

Economic Police Directorate of the Hellenic Police - financial crime investigations.

Prosecutor for Financial Crime in Athens - specialized prosecution of major economic offenses.

Court of First Instance and Prosecutor of Thivais - local filing of complaints and procedural steps.

Local Bar Associations in Boeotia including Thebes - referrals to experienced criminal defense and white collar counsel.

Greek Ombudsman - for complaints regarding public administration conduct during investigations.

Next Steps

If you believe you are under investigation or at risk, consult a white collar crime lawyer in Thivais or Athens immediately. Early advice protects your rights during interviews, searches, and document requests. Share all notices and communications with counsel and avoid making statements without legal representation.

Preserve evidence. Suspend routine data deletion, secure email and messaging archives, and collect relevant contracts, invoices, bank records, accounting ledgers, board minutes, and internal communications. Do not alter or destroy documents, and coordinate any internal review through counsel to preserve privilege.

Assess exposure. With your lawyer, map the facts to potential offenses, identify key witnesses, and consider engaging a forensic accountant or e-discovery specialist. Review insurance and indemnification for defense cost coverage.

Plan your regulatory strategy. If a tax or regulatory issue is involved, discuss voluntary disclosures, payment arrangements, or corrective filings that may mitigate risk. For companies, implement immediate remediation such as enhanced controls, training, and where appropriate, disciplinary measures.

Prepare for procedural steps. Ensure availability for summons, consider travel restrictions, and plan for bail or other conditions if necessary. Keep a timeline and a secure log of all investigative actions and correspondence.

If you are a victim, file a detailed complaint promptly with the Prosecutor or police in Thivais, notify your bank and insurer, and request freezing of suspect accounts where possible. A lawyer can help quantify losses, seek restitution, and coordinate civil claims alongside the criminal case.