Health Care Fraud Lawyer in Mercer County, NJ — Federal Defense
Health care fraud in Mercer County is a serious federal crime prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey under 18 U.S.C. § 1347, carrying severe penalties. As a former prosecutor, Mr. Sris of Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a strategic defense for individuals and entities accused of billing schemes or kickbacks.
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 by false pretenses. In the District of New Jersey, which includes Mercer County, these cases are aggressively pursued by federal agencies like the FBI, HHS-OIG, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.
Last verified: March 2026 | U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey | New Jersey Legislature
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 U.S. District Court handling these cases, visit the District of New Jersey court website.
handling a Federal Health Care Fraud Case in Mercer County
Federal health care fraud investigations often begin with audits, subpoenas, or whistleblower complaints under the False Claims Act. In Mercer County, cases are filed in the U.S. District Court in Trenton. The process is demanding, involving grand jury indictments, extensive discovery, and strict sentencing guidelines. An experienced health care fraud lawyer Mercer County is critical from the first sign of an investigation.
- Initial Investigation: You may receive a subpoena, a search warrant, or be contacted by federal agents. Do not speak to investigators without your attorney present.
- Grand Jury & Indictment: The U.S. Attorney presents evidence to a grand jury. If indicted, you will be formally charged and arraigned in federal court.
- Pre-Trial Motions & Discovery: Your lawyer will file motions to challenge evidence and review thousands of pages of documents, patient records, and billing data provided by the prosecution.
- Plea Negotiations or Trial: Most federal cases are resolved by plea agreement. Your attorney will negotiate for reduced charges or a favorable sentencing recommendation. If a trial is necessary, it will be before a federal judge and jury.
- Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which consider the “loss amount,” your role, and other factors, often resulting in prison time, fines, and restitution.
- Appeals & Collateral Consequences: Post-conviction, you may appeal. Collateral consequences include exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid, loss of professional licenses, and asset forfeiture.
Potential Penalties for Health Care Fraud
In Mercer County, federal health care fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1347 carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, or 20 years if the violation results in serious bodily injury, and fines up to $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations.
| Offense Level | Potential Incarceration | Potential Fines | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Fraud | Up to 10 years | Up to $250,000 (individual) | Restitution, forfeiture, exclusion from federal programs |
| Fraud Causing Serious Bodily Injury | Up to 20 years | Up to $250,000 (individual) | Same as above, plus potential civil lawsuits |
| Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1349) | Same as underlying fraud | Same as underlying fraud | All conspirators liable for total loss amount |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Defense
Founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris, Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings over 120 years of combined legal experience to federal defense. Our firm-wide track includes 4,739+ documented case results. Mr. Sris’s background in accounting and information systems provides a distinct advantage in dissecting financial evidence and billing data central to health care fraud cases.
Our Approach to Health Care Fraud Defense
We approach every health care fraud lawyer Mercer County case with a focus on the details of the alleged scheme. We scrutinize billing codes, patient charts, and provider communications to challenge the government’s “knowing and willful” requirement. For those facing a healthcare scheme charge lawyer Mercer County clients trust, we develop defenses such as lack of intent, compliance errors, or challenging the calculated loss amount, which directly drives sentencing under the guidelines.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Our Mercer County Health Care Fraud Defense Lawyers
Our New Jersey location serves clients throughout Mercer County. We are accessible from I-95, Route 1, and the NJ Turnpike, near Trenton and Princeton.
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.
We provide 24/7 phone consultations. Our firm serves Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton Township, Ewing, Lawrence, West Windsor, East Windsor, Hopewell, Robbinsville, and Hightstown.
Health Care Fraud Defense FAQs
What is the most common type of health care fraud?
Yes, billing for services not rendered is extremely common. Other frequent schemes include upcoding (billing for a more expensive service), unbundling (billing separately for services that should be bundled), and kickbacks for patient referrals.
Can I go to jail for a simple billing error?
It depends. The government must prove you acted “knowingly and willfully.” Honest mistakes or negligence are not criminal fraud. A strong medical billing fraud defense lawyer Mercer County can demonstrate a lack of criminal intent through compliance records and training documentation.
What should I do if I’m contacted by a federal agent about health care fraud?
No, do not answer questions. Politely state you wish to speak with your attorney first. Contact a health care fraud lawyer Mercer County immediately. Anything you say can be used against you, and agents are trained to obtain incriminating statements.
What is the “loss amount” and why does it matter?
The “loss amount” is the dollar value the government claims was fraudulently obtained. It is the single most important factor in calculating the sentencing guideline range. Your attorney will work with forensic accountants to challenge and minimize this figure.
What are the collateral consequences of a health care fraud conviction?
Beyond prison and fines, consequences include mandatory exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid, loss of state professional licenses (medical, nursing, pharmacy), and mandatory restitution. A conviction can end a healthcare career.
Internal Resources
For more on federal defense, see our New Jersey Federal Criminal Lawyer hub. For related charges in the area, consider our pages for Bergen County Federal Criminal Lawyer or Mercer County Business Lawyer.
Page last verified: 2026-04. Laws change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.
The same rules apply outside Mercer County, and our page on health care fraud charges across New Jersey walks through each stage.
Your case in Mercer 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 Mercer County that is the Superior Court of NJ, Mercer Vicinage (7th Vicinage), 175 South Broad Street, Trenton, NJ 08650, telephone (609) 571-4200, 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 Mercer 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: Mercer 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.