Criminal Litigation
Criminal Litigation, Investigations, and White Collar
At Ortega & Grajeda, we represent companies, executives, shareholders, and individuals in high-complexity criminal investigations and proceedings, at both the federal and state level, in Mexico.
Our practice focuses in particular on economic and corporate crimes, corporate investigations, and crisis situations with criminal exposure, where prompt action can be decisive in protecting our clients’ rights, assets, liberty, and reputation.
We act both in defending individuals and companies under investigation and in representing victims, designing strategies that account not just for the criminal proceeding, but for its potential corporate, financial, regulatory, and reputational consequences.
Strategic Criminal Defense
A criminal investigation can produce serious consequences long before any formal charges are filed.
That’s why we frequently get involved from the earliest stages of an investigation, when it’s still possible to shape strategy, preserve evidence, assess risk, and make the decisions that can prove decisive for how the matter unfolds.
We represent clients before public prosecutors and courts at every stage of the proceeding, from the initial and supplementary investigation, through hearings before judges of control, trial, appeals, and constitutional remedies.
Our goal is to maintain a comprehensive view of the matter from the very first moment, so that decisions made in the early stages don’t end up limiting the available defenses later on.
Economic and Corporate Crimes
We have experience in investigations and proceedings involving matters of an asset-related, financial, corporate, and tax nature.
Our practice covers matters relating to fraud, fraudulent administration, breach of fiduciary duty, money laundering, tax crimes, corruption, and conduct connected with the administration and operation of companies, among other areas.
In these matters, the criminal dispute frequently arises out of complex business or corporate relationships. Our experience in commercial, civil, and administrative litigation lets us understand the legal and economic context in which the investigation arises and build a coordinated strategy.
Representing Companies, Executives, and Governing Bodies
We advise companies and their executives when a criminal investigation can create exposure both for the individuals involved and for the organization itself.
We analyze the various potential liabilities, possible conflicts of interest, and consequences arising from the conduct of employees, representatives, officers, or third parties.
Where necessary, we coordinate teams with specialists in corporate, tax, regulatory, and labor matters to build a consistent response to investigations that can touch on several areas of law at once.
Representing Victims and Asset Recovery
Our practice also includes representing companies and individuals who have been victims of criminal conduct.
We’re involved from preparing and filing criminal complaints through the integration of evidence, participation during the investigation and trial, seeking protective measures, and pursuing full redress for the harm suffered.
In asset-related and corporate matters, our strategy accounts from the outset for the possibility of identifying, preserving, and recovering assets, coordinating criminal actions with civil or commercial proceedings where necessary.
Internal Investigations and Risk Prevention
We advise companies when there are signs of possible misconduct within the organization, or when it becomes necessary to establish the facts before making corporate decisions or pursuing legal action.
We conduct internal investigations relating to potential fraud, misappropriation of assets, conflicts of interest, and other conduct that could give rise to criminal or corporate liability.
Our approach is aimed at establishing the facts, properly preserving evidence, and giving the client enough information to make informed decisions about next steps.
Amparo and Constitutional Protection
The amparo proceeding can play a decisive role in a criminal defense strategy.
Our combined experience in criminal litigation and amparo lets us challenge actions by investigating and judicial authorities that may affect constitutional rights, as well as seek interim relief where the circumstances of the matter require it.
This capability is especially valuable in complex investigations where multiple authorities may be acting at once.
Extradition and International Matters
We have experience in extradition proceedings and criminal matters with an international dimension, including representing individuals and participating in proceedings arising from requests made by foreign governments.
These matters require coordinating strategy in Mexico with counsel and advisors in other jurisdictions, and understanding how action taken in one country can affect proceedings underway in another.
Crisis Management and Sensitive Matters
Certain criminal investigations can produce consequences that go beyond the legal proceeding and affect a company’s or its executives’ reputation, operations, and business relationships.
We handle these matters with absolute discretion and under a carefully coordinated strategy, weighing the legal and business implications of every decision.
Having our partners directly involved lets us react quickly in situations that frequently call for immediate decisions and strictly confidential handling.
Our
Approach
In criminal matters, strategy has to begin before the first appearance before the authority.
Our model combines litigation experience, an understanding of the business environment, and the ability to coordinate across different areas of law when a criminal investigation is part of a broader dispute.
We act with rigor, speed, and absolute discretion, keeping our partners directly involved in the most sensitive matters.
When a dispute takes on a criminal dimension, getting ahead of it can make all the difference.
Do you require specialized criminal defense?
If you or your company are facing a criminal investigation or proceeding, our team can assess your case, identify risks, and design a defense strategy tailored to the complexity of the matter.
