Corporate Criminal Defense · Bogotá

Corporate criminal defense for empresas y directivos

When an investigation threatens your company or its directors, the defense strategy begins on day one. A dedicated team, full confidentiality and direct dialogue with a criminal lawyer.

Schedule a consultation with a criminal lawyer

Consulta jurídica privada y remunerada. No prestamos asesoría penal gratuita.

Technical action from the very first hour.

Fabio Castro, Director General de Cafore Abogados

5.0

en Google
Verified reviews · Trustindex

Abogados · Universidad Externado

Master's in Criminal Law · University of the Basque Country

Direct attention from un penalista

Office in Bogotá · Cobertura Nacional

The critical moment

When you call us a company

La mayoría de procesos penales corporativos —desde delitos económicos hasta delitos de cuello blanco— se definen en las primeras decisiones. Estos son los escenarios en los que una empresa o un directivo nos llama para construir su defensa.

UIAF Investigation

Your company received a formal request or suspects that a report was filed in error. Every response counts as evidence.

Charges against a director

A director, legal representative or board member is tied to a proceeding over the company's actions.

Search or seizure

The Prosecutor's Office showed up at your offices. What is handed over, what is not, and how it is documented defines the case.

Captura de un ejecutivo

72-hour crisis: charging hearing, pretrial detention measure and communication with the board.

Request from the Prosecutor's Office

A summons with a strict deadline that demands an immediate strategy, not an improvised response.

Preventive defense design

The board demands a criminal compliance program that works as a genuine mitigating factor, not as decoration.

Specialization

Areas of white-collar crime

Una sola firma de derecho penal económico y empresarial para detectar, defender y prevenir el riesgo penal de su empresa y de quienes la dirigen: lavado de activos, delitos económicos, delitos fiscales y tributarios, evasión de impuestos y delitos de cuello blanco.

Money laundering

Specialized defense (Art. 323 Criminal Code), UIAF investigation and evidentiary strategy on lawful origin.

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It penalizes giving an appearance of legality to assets that come from unlawful activities (Art. 323 Criminal Code). The defense focuses on establishing the lawful origin of the funds and on controlling the financial and accounting evidence. Many cases arise from a UIAF report or request: stepping in at that stage is decisive.

Liability of officers

Defense of directors and legal representatives; separation of liabilities.

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Directors and legal representatives can be tied to proceedings over the company's decisions or omissions. We assess the duty of care, the actual allocation of duties and how the decisions were documented. When the interests of the company and the director diverge, we separate the defense in time.

Compliance penal obligatorio y anticorrupción

Derecho penal corporativo y empresarial: programa de cumplimiento y buena gobernanza diseñado por quienes litigan. Diagnóstico inicial.

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Diseñamos o auditamos el programa (PTEE / SAGRILAFT) desde la óptica de quien litiga, no solo desde el papel. Para muchas compañías el compliance penal es obligatorio: el programa de transparencia y ética empresarial y los controles anticorrupción son exigibles por la Superintendencia de Sociedades, y la buena gobernanza corporativa se vuelve parte de la defensa. Un programa efectivo previene conductas, respalda la debida diligencia y puede atenuar sanciones administrativas; uno meramente formal no protege. Empezamos con un diagnóstico.

SARLAFT/SAGRILAFT e investigaciones

Defense of the compliance officer under investigation and response to findings.

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We defend the compliance officer and the company against investigations over failures in prevention systems (SARLAFT in the financial sector, SAGRILAFT in the real economy) and respond technically to the supervisor's findings, to contain the criminal and administrative risk before it escalates.

Peculado y enriquecimiento

Embezzlement and unlawful enrichment of private individuals.

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It brings together conduct against public or corporate assets, such as embezzlement (Art. 397 Criminal Code) and unlawful enrichment of private individuals (Art. 327 Criminal Code). The defense controls the traceability of the funds and the evidence of the questioned increase in wealth, and disputes the standing of the subject and the basis of the charges.

Delitos fiscales y evasión de impuestos

Delito fiscal, delitos tributarios y evasión de impuestos: defensa técnica de la empresa y de sus directivos.

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El delito fiscal agrupa las conductas tributarias con relevancia penal, como la omisión del agente retenedor o recaudador (Art. 402 C.P.) y el fraude o la defraudación tributaria que la ley ha tipificado. Frente a una imputación por delitos fiscales o evasión de impuestos, la defensa revisa la conducta a la luz de la norma tributaria, separa el incumplimiento administrativo del hecho punible y discute el dolo y la prueba contable. Coordinamos la estrategia penal con su asesor tributario para que ambas líneas hablen el mismo idioma.

Crimes by employees against the company

Theft, internal fraud, data leakage or improper use of data by employees or former employees.

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When the harm comes from within —theft, internal fraud, disloyal management or leakage and improper use of information (Art. 269F Criminal Code)— we represent the company as the victim: we secure the evidence, file the technical complaint and push the proceeding forward. We also defend the accused worker when the charges do not hold up.

Our method

We do not improvise a defense. La construimos.

Corporate criminal law is not general criminal law. We speak the language of the board, the balance sheet and the compliance officer.

Coordinated defense of company + director

When interests align, a single strategy. When they diverge, timely technical separation.

Confidencialidad total

A confidentiality agreement before reviewing the first document. Your case is never a public example.

Direct dialogue with a criminal lawyer

Your case is led by a criminal lawyer, not delegated to a trainee. Response within business hours.

Decisions in hours, not days

In a corporate criminal crisis, time is evidence. We activate the protocol from the first contact.

The Cafore Abogados team before the Courts of Bogotá

Who handles your case

Un equipo, no un directorio

Criminal-law attorneys with postgraduate training and real courtroom experience. Your defense is led by a criminal-law attorney.

Head of the Criminal Law Practice

Valeria Canosa

Leads the firm's criminal law practice. Attorney from the Universidad Externado de Colombia and holds a master's degree in Criminal Law from the Universidad de Salamanca (Spain). Training in international criminal law and forensic science. Professional ID 385.645 — Supreme Court of Justice.

Master's in Criminal LawUniversidad Externado

Director General · Socio Fundador

Fabio Castro

Attorney from the Universidad Externado de Colombia, with a master's degree from the Universidad Externado and a master's degree from the University of the Basque Country (Spain). More than 10 years in judicial litigation and as a university professor. Professional ID 276.916 — Supreme Court of Justice.

Master's in Criminal LawUniversidad ExternadoDocente universitario

Confianza verificada

Lo que dicen quienes nos confiaron su caso

Rating 5.0 en Google. Real and verified reviews from the firm's clients.

    
 
 
       Publicado en Google  
   
   Daniel Estrada Valencia 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Excelente, me ayudo con la gestión de mi pensión e historia laboral, gracias
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   Pablo Estrada 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Me gusto mucho, me ayudaron a solucionar mi problema.
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   Angela Forero 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Todos los profesionales de Cafore abogados se destacan por si conocimiento, y propuestas innovadoras para el manejo de cualquier caso. Tienen diferentes especialidades por lo que sin dudarlo los volvería a contactar en caso de requerirlo. 100% recomendados
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   Wilmer Rodríguez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. La firma de abogados Cafore es un aliado estratégico para la protección patrimonial y empresarial. Desde el primer contacto han sido muy diligentes y comprometidos en sus buenos oficios. Quiero resaltar el liderazgo de sus fundadores, la doctora Norma Forero y el doctor Fabio Castro, de quienes destaco su profesionalismo y tenacidad
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   David Díaz Guzmán 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Excelentes profesionales! Ofrecen un servicio profesional y confiable. Ideal si buscas abogados con experiencia y atención personalizada.
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   Dr. Camilo Albarrán Martinez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Si estas buscando un bufete serio..... Acá esta tu opción. Personas comprometidas, guiadas por un líder nato. Conozco al Dr. Castro hace más de una década y puedo dar fe de su ética y eficiencia profesional.... Recomendado.
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   julian estrada 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Son unos grandes abogados, me ayudaron con problemas de un predio que tengo y le ayudaron con la pension a mi papá 10/10!
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   Gabriel Castro 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Cafore Abogados me gusta y son muy buenos en lo que hacen porque son personas preparadas, saben lo que hacen y defienden sus principios aparte de eso es una empresa familiar. Estar con ellos es tener la confianza que todo saldrá bien en su proceso que esté llevando.
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   Juan David Aponte González 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Son profesionales excepcionales. Comprometidos con el interés del cliente, proactivos y siempre buscando lo mejor para nuestros intereses. Hemos tenido varios casos con ellos y los resultados han sido los esperados e incluso mucho mejores. No solo a nivel jurídico sino personal por el buen trato empático. Encontrar abogados de esta calidad en el mercado es realmente difícil, por eso no dudaría en volver a contratarlos para casos futuros.
  
 
      Publicado en Google  
   
   David Forero 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifica que la fuente original de la reseña sea Google. Oficina limpia y ordenada, además gran atención desde que se llega al lugar

How we work on your case

A clear process from the first contact. Confidentiality before reviewing the first document, fees defined in the initial meeting, and direct attention from a criminal-law attorney at every stage.

Contacto confidencial

A first conversation with a criminal-law attorney under complete confidentiality. No commitment.

Assessment and strategy

We review the facts, risks and evidence. We define a legal course of action and clear fees.

Defense and execution

Technical intervention in every action, with the criminal-law attorney directly involved.

Support

Communication throughout the entire process, with the confidentiality you define.

Frequently asked questions

Lo que what we are most often asked

What do we do if the company or an executive receives a request from the Prosecutor's Office, the UIAF, or a Superintendency?

Before responding, it is advisable to define with a criminal lawyer which information is mandatory, which is protected, and how the response is documented. An improvised response can compromise your defense. We step in from the very first request and coordinate the response with your legal and compliance teams.

Do the company and the executive need separate lawyers?

It depends on whether their interests align. When they align, a coordinated defense is stronger and more efficient; when they diverge, a timely and proper separation protects both and prevents one party's statement from harming the other. We assess this in the first confidential meeting.

In Colombia, does a compliance program protect the company?

With nuances. Criminal liability is personal—it falls on natural persons: directors and employees—while the company is liable in administrative proceedings. A well-implemented program (e.g., PTEE or SAGRILAFT before the Superintendency of Companies) helps prevent misconduct, can serve as a mitigating factor for administrative penalties, and supports due diligence in the defense. A merely formal one does not protect: we review yours and tell you what it is missing.

Do you attend to clients outside office hours?

As a general rule, service is provided during office hours. The only exception is the arrest-legalization hearing: if an executive is arrested, the law requires them to be brought before a guarantees-control judge within the following 36 hours (Art. 28 of the Constitution), and we attend that hearing subject to the availability of our criminal lawyers given the demand for legalization hearings at that time. Any other matter we address at the start of the business day.

How do you protect the company's confidentiality?

We sign a confidentiality agreement before reviewing the first document. Your case is never used as a public example or featured in our communications, and we define with you the channels and authorized individuals to receive information about the proceedings.

Who leads the case, a criminal lawyer or a trainee?

Your case is led by a criminal lawyer with postgraduate training and effective litigation experience; it is not delegated to a trainee. You speak directly with the person who designs and executes the strategy.

What is the first meeting like?

It is a private consultation with a criminal lawyer to assess the situation of the company or the executive, identify the risks, and define the legal path and next steps. You leave it with a clear plan and defined fees.

Is there a fee for the consultation?

Yes. It is a private consultation with a fee, not free advice: this is how we guarantee genuine dedication to your case from the very first minute. The amount and the path are agreed upon clearly at the outset, with no surprises.

¿Qué es el derecho penal económico y empresarial?

Es el área del derecho penal que se ocupa de los delitos económicos cometidos en el contexto de la actividad empresarial: lavado de activos, delitos fiscales y tributarios, evasión de impuestos, peculado, enriquecimiento ilícito y los llamados delitos de cuello blanco. A diferencia del penal general, exige leer el balance, el contrato y la decisión de junta, no solo el expediente. Por eso su defensa la dirige un penalista con formación en derecho penal corporativo.

¿Qué son los delitos de cuello blanco?

Es el nombre que reciben los delitos económicos cometidos por directivos, profesionales o empleados en el ejercicio de su cargo, sin violencia: fraude, evasión de impuestos, corrupción, manipulación contable o uso indebido de información. Suelen probarse con documentos y registros financieros, por lo que la defensa se juega en el control de la prueba contable y en la trazabilidad de cada operación.

¿Cuándo es obligatorio un programa de compliance penal y anticorrupción?

En Colombia el compliance penal es obligatorio para las empresas que superan los umbrales fijados por la Superintendencia de Sociedades, que deben implementar un programa de transparencia y ética empresarial (PTEE) con controles anticorrupción, además del SAGRILAFT cuando aplica. Aun sin ser obligatorio, la buena gobernanza corporativa y un programa efectivo respaldan la debida diligencia y pueden atenuar sanciones. Revisamos si su empresa está obligada y qué le falta al programa.

¿Atienden delitos fiscales y de evasión de impuestos?

Sí. Defendemos a empresas y directivos frente a la imputación por delito fiscal, delitos tributarios y evasión de impuestos, como la omisión del agente retenedor o recaudador. La estrategia distingue el incumplimiento meramente administrativo del hecho con relevancia penal, discute el dolo y la prueba contable, y se coordina con su asesor tributario.

Hablemos de su caso

Schedule a consultation con un penalista

Una consulta jurídica remunerada y confidencial para entender su situación y definir la estrategia.

Confidencialidad total desde el primer contacto

Direct attention from a criminal lawyer, not a trainee

Clear fees and a legal path from the first meeting

Corporate criminal defense for empresas y directivos

When you call us a company

UIAF Investigation

Charges against a director

Search or seizure

Captura de un ejecutivo

Request from the Prosecutor's Office

Preventive defense design

Areas of white-collar crime

Money laundering

Liability of officers

Compliance penal obligatorio y anticorrupción

SARLAFT/SAGRILAFT e investigaciones

Peculado y enriquecimiento

Delitos fiscales y evasión de impuestos

Crimes by employees against the company

We do not improvise a defense. La construimos.

Coordinated defense of company + director

Confidencialidad total

Direct dialogue with a criminal lawyer

Decisions in hours, not days

Un equipo, no un directorio

Valeria Canosa

Fabio Castro

Lo que dicen quienes nos confiaron su caso

How we work on your case

Contacto confidencial

Assessment and strategy

Defense and execution

Support

Lo que what we are most often asked

Schedule a consultation con un penalista

Tell us about your case