Medicare Fraud Lawyer in Mercer County, NJ — Federal Defense
Medicare fraud in Mercer County is a serious federal crime prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, carrying severe penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1347. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides defense for individuals and healthcare providers facing these charges. Our firm-wide experience includes 4,739+ documented case results.
What Is Medicare Fraud Under Federal Law?
Medicare fraud involves knowingly submitting false claims or making misrepresentations to obtain payments from the Medicare program. In New Jersey, these cases are prosecuted federally under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 1347 (Health Care Fraud) and the False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733). Common schemes include billing for services not rendered, upcoding, kickbacks for patient referrals, and providing medically unnecessary services. A conviction can result in decades in federal prison, massive fines, and mandatory restitution.
Last verified: April 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 (Health Care Fraud). For information on the federal court handling these cases in New Jersey, visit the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey website.
Local Federal Court Process for Medicare Fraud in Mercer County
Medicare fraud cases in Mercer County are typically investigated by federal agencies like the FBI, HHS-OIG, or IRS-CI before being presented to a grand jury in Newark or Trenton. The case is then prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The court follows strict federal procedural rules and sentencing guidelines.
- Initial Investigation: You may be contacted by federal agents or receive a subpoena. Do not speak to investigators without your attorney present.
- Grand Jury Indictment: The U.S. Attorney’s Office presents evidence to a federal grand jury, which decides whether to issue an indictment.
- Arraignment & Detention Hearing: You will appear in federal court to hear the charges and enter a plea. The court will also determine if you will be released pending trial.
- Discovery & Pre-Trial Motions: Your defense attorney will review all evidence and may file motions to challenge the prosecution’s case.
- Plea Negotiations or Trial: Most federal cases are resolved by plea agreement. If no agreement is reached, the case proceeds to a jury trial.
- Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing follows the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which consider the amount of the fraud loss and other factors.
Potential Penalties for Medicare Fraud
In Mercer County, a federal Medicare fraud conviction carries severe penalties, including prison time, fines often in the millions, and mandatory restitution to the government.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1347) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years per count; 20 years if injury results; life if death results | Up to $250,000 per count (individual) / $500,000 (organization) | Restitution, asset forfeiture, exclusion from Medicare/Medicaid programs, professional license revocation. |
| False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. § 3729) | Civil & Criminal Liability | Possible criminal penalties | Civil penalties of $11,803 to $23,607 per false claim, plus treble damages | “Whistleblower” (qui tam) lawsuits can be filed by private parties. |
| Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b) | Federal Felony | Up to 10 years | Up to $100,000 | Mandatory exclusion from federal health care programs. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Why Choose Our Firm for Your Medicare Fraud 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 team understands the intricate nature of healthcare fraud investigations and the high stakes in federal court. We have a firm-wide record of 4,739+ documented case results. We provide a strategic, case-specific approach for every client facing federal fraud charges.
Case Results & Firm Experience
While specific Medicare fraud results in Mercer County are not disclosed to protect client confidentiality, our firm has a documented history of achieving favorable outcomes in federal cases. Firm-wide, we have handled 4,739+ cases with a high rate of favorable outcomes. Our approach involves meticulous review of billing records, experienced consultation, and challenging the prosecution’s evidence on both procedural and substantive grounds.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Local Service for Mercer County Residents
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.
Our New Jersey location serves clients throughout Mercer County. We are accessible from Trenton, Princeton, and Hamilton Township via I-95 and Route 1. If you need a fraud charge defense lawyer Mercer County trusts for federal cases, we offer 24/7 phone consultations. We also serve as a skilled white collar crime defense lawyer Mercer County residents can consult for Medicare fraud and related charges. Meetings are held by appointment only.
Medicare Fraud Defense FAQs
What should I do if I am contacted by federal agents about Medicare fraud?
No. Do not answer questions. Politely state you wish to speak with your attorney and immediately contact a Medicare fraud lawyer Mercer County. Anything you say can be used against you, and agents are trained to obtain incriminating statements.
Can I go to jail for a billing mistake?
It depends. Prosecutors must prove you acted “knowingly” and with intent to defraud. Honest errors or negligence are not criminal fraud. A strong defense often focuses on lack of criminal intent, which a skilled white collar crime defense lawyer Mercer County can develop through documentation and experienced testimony.
What is the typical timeline for a federal Medicare fraud case?
The Speedy Trial Act sets general guidelines, but fraud cases often take 1-3 years from indictment to resolution. The timeline includes extensive discovery, experienced review, pre-trial motions, and often lengthy plea negotiations.
What are the best defenses against Medicare fraud charges?
Common defenses include lack of intent, good faith reliance on professional advice, insufficient evidence, challenging the calculation of alleged loss amounts (which drive sentencing), and procedural defenses like statute of limitations or violations of your constitutional rights during the investigation.
Can a Medicare fraud charge affect my medical license?
Yes. A conviction will likely trigger mandatory exclusion from participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs, which typically leads to state medical board disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation, even for a first offense.
Related Legal Services in Mercer County
If you are facing federal charges, you may need to explore other related areas. Our firm also handles Federal Criminal Defense in Mercer County. For state-level fraud allegations, see our Mercer County Criminal Defense Lawyer page. For a broader view of our federal practice, visit our New Jersey Federal Criminal Lawyer hub.
Page last verified and updated: 2026-04-01. Federal laws and procedures change. Contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current legal guidance regarding Medicare fraud defense.
The same rules apply outside Mercer County, and our page on medicare fraud charges across New Jersey walks through each stage.
Your case in Mercer County, New Jersey
Federal charges are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey (Newark, Trenton and Camden), not in county court; related state charges are heard in the Criminal Part of the Law Division. 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 Title 18 of the United States Code and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. 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 · Medicare Fraud Lawyer Bergen County, NJ · Medicare Fraud Lawyer Hudson County, NJ · Medicare Fraud Lawyer Monmouth County, NJ.