Health Care Fraud Lawyer Salem County — Federal Defense Strategy
Health care fraud in Salem County is a serious federal crime prosecuted under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, carrying severe penalties. If you are under investigation for medical billing fraud or a healthcare scheme, you need a defense lawyer who understands the federal system. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides strategic defense for these contested cases.
Last verified: March 2026 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey | New Jersey legislature
Federal Health Care Fraud Law in New Jersey
Health care fraud is a federal offense defined under 18 U.S.C. § 1347. It involves knowingly and willfully executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program or to obtain money or property from such a program through false pretenses. In New Jersey, these cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, often following investigations by agencies like the FBI, HHS-OIG, or IRS. The law covers a wide range of activities, from upcoding and unbundling services to kickbacks and billing for services not rendered. A conviction can result in decades in federal prison, substantial fines, mandatory restitution, and exclusion from federal health care programs.
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, our firm brings a deep understanding of both sides of the courtroom to every health care fraud defense.
Official Legal Resources
For the official text of the federal health care fraud statute, see 18 U.S.C. § 1347 (Cornell Legal Information Institute). For information on the federal court where these cases are heard, visit the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey website.
handling a Federal Health Care Fraud Case in Salem County
A federal health care fraud investigation in Salem County typically begins with a subpoena, search warrant, or interview by federal agents. The key local procedural fact is that these cases are not heard in Salem County Superior Court but in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, often in the Camden or Newark divisions. The process is governed by the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and can involve financial evidence and experienced witnesses.
- Receive notice of an investigation via subpoena, search warrant, or target letter.
- Secure experienced federal defense counsel immediately to protect your rights.
- Conduct an internal case assessment and audit to understand potential exposure.
- Engage in pre-indictment negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, if possible.
- If indicted, handle arraignment, discovery, pre-trial motions, and potential trial or plea negotiations in federal court.
- Address sentencing under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines if convicted, which heavily weigh the dollar loss amount.
Potential Penalties for Health Care Fraud
In federal court, health care fraud carries a base penalty of up to 10 years in prison, but this can increase to 20 years if the violation results in serious bodily injury, and life imprisonment if it results in death.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1347) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years; 20 years if injury; Life if death | Up to $250,000 (individual) or $500,000 (organization) | Mandatory restitution, exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid, asset forfeiture |
| Aggravated Identity Theft (18 U.S.C. § 1028A) | Federal Felony | Mandatory 2 years consecutive to other sentences | Court discretion | Mandatory consecutive sentence |
| Anti-Kickback Statute Violation (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years | Up to $100,000 | Civil penalties, exclusion from federal programs |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Health Care Fraud Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 and brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to federal defenses. Our founder, Mr. Sris, is a former prosecutor with a background that provides a unique advantage in dissecting financial and technical evidence often central to fraud cases. We approach each health care fraud charge with a detailed, case-specific strategy, understanding that these cases hinge on intent, knowledge, and the technical interplay of federal regulations.
Our Approach to Health Care Fraud Cases
We have a documented record of handling federal cases. While specific results are unique to each case, our firm-wide approach focuses on challenging the government’s evidence on intent, conducting independent financial audits, and leveraging procedural defenses. We understand that a charge for a healthcare scheme can upend your life and professional standing. Our team works to protect your liberty, assets, and future.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Health Care Fraud Defense Serving Salem County
Our New Jersey location represents clients facing federal charges in Salem County. We serve communities including Salem, Pennsville, Carneys Point, Woodstown, Pilesgrove, Alloway, Quinton, and Elsinboro. Our location is accessible via I-295, Route 45, Route 49, and Route 40.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C.
New Jersey Location — 44 Apple St, 1st Floor
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (732) 651-9900
By appointment only.
24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Health Care Fraud Lawyer Salem County FAQ
What is the first step if I’m investigated for health care fraud?
Yes, contact a federal defense lawyer as early as possible. Do not speak to investigators without counsel. Your first step is to secure legal representation to understand your rights and potential exposure before responding to subpoenas or interviews.
Can I go to jail for a medical billing error?
It depends. Prosecution for health care fraud requires proof of willful intent to defraud. Honest billing mistakes or negligence are typically not criminal. A skilled medical billing fraud defense lawyer Salem County can distinguish between error and criminal intent using audits and experienced analysis.
What agencies investigate health care fraud in New Jersey?
Multiple agencies can be involved, including the FBI, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), IRS Criminal Investigation, and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. These agencies often work together on task forces.
What are common examples of a healthcare scheme?
Common schemes include billing for services not rendered, upcoding (billing for a more expensive service), unbundling (billing separately for services usually bundled), paying or receiving kickbacks for patient referrals, and falsifying patient diagnoses to justify tests. A healthcare scheme charge lawyer Salem County can evaluate the specific allegations against you.
What are the potential defenses to health care fraud?
Defenses can include lack of intent, good faith reliance on professional advice, mistake, insufficient evidence, challenging the loss amount calculated by the government, and procedural defenses like statute of limitations or violations of your constitutional rights during the investigation.
Internal Links: For more on federal defense, see our New Jersey Federal Criminal Lawyer hub page. For related charges, consider our Salem County Criminal Defense Lawyer page. For other legal needs, visit our Salem County Business Lawyer page.
Last verified: March 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.
Salem County cases follow the same route as the rest of the state, and our page on health care fraud cases in New Jersey explains each stage.
Salem is one part of a wider practice, and our page on health care fraud lawyer Virginia covers the process from start to finish.
Your case in Salem County, New Jersey
Indictable charges are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division; disorderly-persons offenses are heard in the municipal court where the charge was filed. In Salem County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Salem Vicinage (1st Vicinage), 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079, telephone (856) 878-5050, open Mon-Fri 8:30AM-4:30PM. Court procedures change; confirm the current schedule on the official vicinage website or with the clerk before you file or appear.
The governing law for this topic is the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, N.J.S.A. Title 2C. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. handles Salem County matters from its New Jersey location at 44 Apple St 1st Floor, Tinton Falls, NJ 07724; meetings are by appointment. Request a New Jersey consultation at (888) 437-7747 or (609) 983-0003.
Related New Jersey pages: Salem County NJ lawyers directory · Health Care Fraud Defense Lawyer Bergen County, NJ · Health Care Fraud Defense Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Health Care Fraud Defense Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.