Step 1: Urgent Response & Damage Control (1-3 Days) Immediate consultation upon notice, search, or arrest. Assess charges and potential penalties. Advise on immediate responses to investigating agencies. Implement damage control measures for reputation and business.

Step 2: Comprehensive Case Analysis (5-7 Days) Review all financial documents and transactions. Analyze allegations and applicable laws. Study investigation agency’s powers and procedures. Identify legal defenses and technical loopholes.

Step 3: Expert Team Assembly (2-3 Days) Engage chartered accountants for financial analysis, forensic auditors if needed, valuation experts, industry specialists, and coordinate multi-disciplinary defense team.

Step 4: Investigation Stage Defense (2-6 Months) Respond to investigation agency notices, coordinate client appearances before investigators, provide explanations and documentation, monitor investigation progression, and prevent adverse actions like arrests or asset attachment.

Step 5: Anticipatory Bail/Regular Bail (Immediate) File anticipatory bail before arrest in serious cases, or regular bail if arrested. White collar crime bail involves complex arguments about economic offense severity, flight risk, and evidence tampering concerns.

Step 6: Chargesheet Response (After Investigation) Analyze prosecution case and evidence, identify weaknesses and contradictions, prepare technical rebuttal with expert opinions, and strategize trial or settlement approach.

Step 7: Pre-Trial Applications (1-3 Months) File quashing petitions if charges lack merit, discharge applications showing insufficient evidence, applications for return of seized documents/assets, and challenge investigation procedural violations.

Step 8: Settlement Negotiations (Parallel Track) Explore compounding offense possibilities (if compoundable), negotiate with complainant (in cheque bounce or private complaints), arrange regulatory settlements with authorities, and structure restitution or compliance arrangements.

Step 9: Trial Defense (If Proceeds – 1-3 Years) Present technical financial defense, cross-examine prosecution experts, present defense expert testimony, challenge document authenticity and interpretation, and argue lack of criminal intent or knowledge.

Step 10: Appeals & Higher Remedies (Post-Conviction) File appeals emphasizing technical and legal errors, approach Supreme Court if needed, seek sentence suspension pending appeal, and pursue all available legal remedies.

Total Timeline: Varies widely (investigation 6-18 months; trial 1-4 years; total 2-6 years typical)