Criminal Defense for High-Profile Individuals

When the person under investigation is an executive, athlete, artist or public figure, the criminal proceedings are not fought in the courtroom alone. Reputational damage can be immediate and irreversible, long before any judgment exists. As criminal lawyers for high-profile clients, we work both fronts at once.

The Two Fronts: Procedural and Reputational

The presumption of innocence protects every suspect, but the leak of a police report or an indictment can convict in the social arena before trial. The strategy must address control of the information leaving the case file and protection of the client image, without interfering with the technical defense.

Protection Against Slander and Insults

Where a crime is falsely attributed, slander (Art. 205 Penal Code) applies, punished with 6 months to 2 years in prison or a 12 to 24-month fine where published. Serious insults (Art. 208 Penal Code) made publicly carry a 6 to 14-month fine. A victim of such conduct may join the proceedings as a private prosecutor.

Privacy and Leaks

Sharing recordings, messages or private data may constitute the offense of disclosure of secrets (Art. 197 Penal Code). Identifying the source of the leak and reacting quickly to limit its spread is an essential part of defending an exposed profile.

Coordinating the Strategy

The key is coordination between the criminal defense and communications management: a procedural statement and a public note cannot contradict each other. Every step of the case is anticipated so that the legal and public narratives remain consistent.