Who We Serve
We defend individuals, executives and corporations facing Swiss criminal investigations, FINMA enforcement proceedings and cross-border regulatory actions.
Individuals &
Executives
Board members, C-suite officers, and individuals facing criminal investigations, including charges of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and bribery.
Corporations & Financial Institutions
Companies subject to corporate criminal liability, FINMA enforcement proceedings, or investigations by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). We handle internal investigations, regulatory responses, and defence coordination.
Foreign Nationals & Cross-Border Cases
Non-Swiss individuals and entities subject to mutual legal assistance requests, extradition proceedings, or cross-border investigations involving Swiss authorities and foreign prosecutors.
What We Do
Comprehensive criminal and regulatory defense across all stages of Swiss proceedings.
Criminal Defense in Federal & Cantonal Courts
Full representation in proceedings under the Swiss Criminal Procedure Code (StPO), from police interrogation through trial and appeal before the Federal Criminal Court and Federal Supreme Court.
Internal Investigations
Independent internal investigations for companies facing regulatory scrutiny, including evidence preservation, witness interviews, and privileged reporting to boards and audit committees.
FINMA Enforcement Defense
Defence against FINMA enforcement proceedings including licence revocations, industry bans, disgorgement orders, and supervisory measures.
Asset Freezing & Seizure Challenges
Challenging asset seizures and freezing orders under Art. 263 StPO and IMAC, including urgent interim relief applications and proportionality challenges.
Mutual Legal Assistance
Defence against incoming MLA requests under the Federal Act on International Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (IMAC/IRSG), including challenges before the Federal Criminal Court.
Administrative Criminal Law
Defence in administrative criminal proceedings under the Federal Act on Administrative Criminal Law, including tax fraud, customs violations, and securities law infractions.
Why Switzerland
Understanding Switzerland's unique criminal justice system is essential for effective defense.
Strong Procedural Safeguards
The Swiss Criminal Procedure Code, unified across all cantons since 2011, provides robust defence rights including mandatory access to counsel from the first police interview, strict rules on pre-trial detention, and the presumption of innocence enshrined in the Federal Constitution.
Dual-Track Enforcement System
Switzerland operates parallel criminal and regulatory enforcement tracks. FINMA may impose administrative sanctions independently of criminal proceedings, meaning a single set of facts can trigger both FINMA enforcement and criminal prosecution. Understanding both tracks is essential for coordinated, effective defence strategy.
Independent Judiciary
Swiss courts operate with strict independence from political influence. The Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona handles complex economic crime cases, while the Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne serves as the final appellate instance. Judges are elected for fixed terms and subject to constitutional guarantees.
Extensive MLA Treaty Network
Switzerland is party to over 100 mutual legal assistance treaties and the European Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters. The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) processes approximately 2,000 incoming MLA requests annually. The IRSG provides specific grounds for challenging foreign requests, including double criminality requirements and proportionality principles.
Why Allegra LAW
What sets us apart in Swiss criminal and regulatory defense.
Financial Crime Specialists
Deep expertise at the intersection of financial regulation and criminal law — we understand both the regulatory framework and the criminal code, enabling coordinated defense across FINMA and prosecutorial proceedings.
Senior-Led Defense
Every criminal defense mandate is personally led by a senior partner. When your liberty and reputation are at stake, you deserve direct access to experienced trial counsel.
Former Regulatory Professionals
Our team includes professionals with prior FINMA and prosecutorial experience, bringing first-hand insight into enforcement priorities and investigative methodologies.
Cross-Border Network
Extensive experience coordinating with defence counsel across key jurisdictions for multi-jurisdictional proceedings.
Strict Professional Discretion
Criminal matters demand the highest confidentiality. Allegra LAW's boutique structure means fewer people handle your file, strict information barriers are maintained, and your matter stays between you and your counsel.
Rapid-Response Capability
We maintain rapid-response capability for dawn raids, arrest warrants and urgent asset seizures.
What We Cover
A comprehensive overview of our criminal and regulatory defence practice areas.
Economic & Financial
Crime
✓ Fraud & embezzlement
✓ Money laundering
✓ Criminal mismanagement
✓ Bribery & corruption
✓ Tax fraud & evasion
Regulatory & Administrative Proceedings
✓ FINMA enforcement
✓ Administrative criminal law
✓ Competition law proceedings
✓ Sanctions & embargo violations
✓ Corporate criminal liability
Cross-Border & Defence
Strategy
✓ Mutual legal assistance
✓ Extradition proceedings
✓ Asset freezing & seizure challenges
✓ Internal investigations & forensics
✓ Plea negotiations
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions about criminal and regulatory defense in Switzerland.
What should I do if I'm contacted by Swiss police or prosecutors?
Under Art. 158–159 StPO, you have the right to remain silent and the right to legal counsel from the very first interview. Do not make any statements before consulting a lawyer. You are not obliged to assist in your own prosecution. Contact Allegra LAW immediately — our 24/7 emergency response ensures you have experienced counsel at your side before any interaction with authorities. Our former regulatory professionals understand prosecution tactics and will protect your rights from the first moment of contact.
Can a company be criminally liable in Switzerland?
Yes. Art. 102 StGB establishes corporate criminal liability in two forms: subsidiary liability (when an offence cannot be attributed to a specific individual due to inadequate organisation) and primary liability for specific offences including money laundering (Art. 305bis StGB), bribery (Art. 322ter StGB), and terrorist financing (Art. 260quinquies StGB). Fines can reach CHF 5 million. Allegra LAW advises companies on both criminal defense and preventive compliance programmes — our financial crime specialists design governance structures that reduce corporate criminal exposure under Art. 102 StGB.
What happens during a FINMA enforcement proceeding?
FINMA enforcement proceedings are governed by Art. 29–37 of the Financial Market Supervision Act (FINMASA). FINMA may appoint an investigating agent, require document production, impose precautionary measures, and ultimately issue sanctions including licence revocations, industry bans of up to five years, disgorgement of profits, and public reprimands ("naming and shaming"). These proceedings run independently of criminal investigations. Allegra LAW's team, which includes former FINMA professionals, provides defence that anticipates regulatory strategies and protects your interests across both enforcement tracks simultaneously.
Can I challenge a foreign mutual legal assistance request?
Yes. Under the Federal Act on International Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters (IRSG/IMAC), affected persons may challenge MLA requests before the Federal Criminal Court. Grounds include lack of double criminality (Art. 64 IRSG), disproportionality, political offence exceptions, and violations of the speciality principle. Closing orders by the executing authority can be appealed within 30 days. Allegra LAW has deep experience defending against incoming MLA requests — our cross-border defense network and understanding of both Swiss and requesting-state legal systems allows us to mount effective challenges that protect your assets and information.
What are the penalties for white-collar crime in Switzerland?
Swiss white-collar crime penalties vary by offence: fraud (Art. 146 StGB) carries up to five years' imprisonment; qualified money laundering (Art. 305bis para. 2 StGB) up to five years; criminal mismanagement (Art. 158 StGB) up to five years; and insider trading (Art. 154 FinMIA) up to three years or fines up to CHF 5 million. Courts may also order asset confiscation under Art. 69–72 StGB. Beyond custodial sentences, conviction can trigger FINMA industry bans, reputational damage, and civil liability claims. Allegra LAW's senior-led defense approach ensures that every avenue for mitigation, acquittal, or reduced sentencing is pursued with the rigour these stakes demand.