Criminal Defense Attorney Chattanooga

Chattanooga White Collar Crime Attorney

Legal Advocacy for Clients Charged with White Collar Crimes

Attorney John McDougal has more than 20 years of experience protecting clients’ rights and reputations when they have been charged with white collar offenses. As a former special judge in General Sessions and in Chattanooga City Court, criminal defense attorney John McDougal anticipates how the prosecution will build its case, enabling us to build a strong defense against harsh penalties. We put that knowledge and skill, backed by our experience, to work for you in clearing your name.

Safeguarding Our Clients’ Reputations

People typically accused of white collar crimes are those who hold high-profile and often very powerful positions in corporate, business or government settings. Despite those positions, they can be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels. Common white collar crimes include fraud, corruption, forgery, embezzlement and bribery, among many others. Because these cases often involve detailed investigations led by law enforcement specializing in this kind of crime, it’s important you speak to no one until you hire an experienced litigate who can navigate the complexities of state and federal law.

Experienced in State and Federal White Collar Cases

We regularly work with investigators, financial experts and a wide range of other professionals to prepare the best defense against the following charges:

Fraud: Obtaining someone else’s personal information with the intent of using it to steal money, increase credit or secure employment is considered fraud. Fraud involving identity theft is punishable by one to ten years of jail time. Associated fines range up to $100,000 for a first offender. Credit card fraud of more than $100 is considered a felony.

Corruption: Quite possibly the most common white collar crimes in the United States are those that violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO. And because RICO violations carry federal charges, they carry stricter penalties and jail sentences. This law is typically used to try crimes including laundering, extortion, conspiracy and racketeering.

Forgery: When a person deceives another person, business or government entity using mathematical, legal or other documents, that person may be charged with forgery. Tried at either the state or federal level, forgery is a serious crime that carries with it the potential for hefty fines and long jail sentences.

Embezzlement: Usually involving the transfer of substantial amounts of money, embezzlement refers to illegal schemes used to obtain money. These crimes often include the forgery of company checks or embezzlement of money from an employer, with schemes that can include the creation of dummy companies. Punishment is harsh at both the state and federal levels.

Bribery: The federal government takes actionable steps to punish public corruption offenders, including those charged with bribery. Bribery involves offering a gift to a public official or an individual with a public duty in an effort to change that official’s actions. A key distinction is that a monetary transaction doesn't’t have to occur for bribery to be alleged – an offer need only be made.


Lawyer John McDougal protects clients' rights in cases involving:

  • Bank Fraud

  • Bankruptcy Fraud

  • Blackmail

  • Bribery

  • Conspiracy

  • Corporate Fraud

  • Credit Card Fraud

  • Embezzlement

  • Extortion

  • Federal Conspiracy

  • Federal Fraud Cases

  • Federal Fraud Crime

  • Forgery

  • Health Care Fraud

  • Healthcare Fraud Cases

  • Identity Theft

  • Illegal Entry

  • Illegal Reentry

  • Insider Trading

  • Insurance Fraud

  • Internet Fraud

  • Investment Schemes

  • Mail Fraud

  • Marriage Fraud

  • Medicaid Fraud

  • Medicare Fraud

  • Money Laundering

  • Mortgage Fraud

  • Public Corruption Charges

  • Racketeering

  • Tax Fraud

  • Wire Fraud

Your White Collar Crime lawyer can capably represent your interests during investigations and in response to grand jury subpoenas. John McDougal has opposed a great number of government agencies at trial, including the FBI, DEA, IRS, ATF, ICE, Department of the Treasury, Department of Homeland Security and Secret Service.

Contact John McDougal Immediately

The sooner you contact an attorney, the better your chances of a successful result. By intervening early in the case, even before you are officially charged if possible, lawyer John McDougal may be able to negotiate a reduced charge or work out an alternative to prison should you be convicted.
Do not delay in contacting John McDougal's Chattanooga law offices. His availability puts you within reach by phone, fax or e-mail to schedule a free initial consultation.

Off-site, jail and holding facility visits are available. Participation in detention, bond or bail hearings are essential to attorney John McDougal's services.

Consult Our Chattanooga White Collar Crimes Lawyer For Free

If you need to speak with a Chattanooga criminal defense attorney about a white collar crime charges, contact the Law Offices of John McDougal in Chattanooga, Tennessee. To contact our firm,
call 423-756-0536, or contact us by e-mail.