Facing a qui tam or False Claims Act case in San Diego? Former federal prosecutor John D. Kirby defends companies and individuals in whistleblower-initiated federal cases.
Federal CourtQui Tam DefenseSan Diego CountyFormer Federal Prosecutor25+ Years
Judges: Superior Court Judges: Hon. Michael T. Smyth (Presiding Judge), Hon. Peter C. Deddeh, Hon. Kenneth K. So, Hon. Joan P. Weber, Hon. Charles G. Rogers
The Central Division is the main state courthouse for San Diego County. It handles the highest volume of felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials in the county. Federal cases are heard separately at the U.S. District Court on West Broadway.
Qui Tam Defense Practice Areas — San Diego
White Collar Crime
Fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, securities violations, public corruption
Drug Crimes
Federal trafficking, conspiracy, manufacturing, possession with intent to distribute
2255 motions, direct appeals to the Ninth Circuit, post-conviction relief
Healthcare Fraud
Medicare/Medicaid fraud, false claims, anti-kickback statute, Stark law violations
PPP & COVID Fraud
PPP loan fraud, EIDL fraud, pandemic relief program investigations
Qui Tam Defense in San Diego — What You Need to Know
Why should I hire a Qui Tam defense attorney in San Diego if my case involves whistleblower allegations under the False Claims Act?
San Diego is a major hub for healthcare and defense contractors, making it a hotspot for False Claims Act litigation. The federal courthouse on West Broadway handles these complex cases, but your state-level preliminary hearing or arraignment may still occur at the San Diego Superior Court — Central Division on Union Street, where felony dockets are packed and judges move quickly. A local attorney knows how to navigate both systems and can coordinate your defense across jurisdictions.
How does the San Diego Superior Court — Central Division handle pretrial motions in a Qui Tam-related criminal case?
At the Central Division, all felony arraignments and preliminary hearings are scheduled in Department 1, a high-volume courtroom where judges often set tight deadlines for motions. Your attorney must file any suppression or dismissal motions within the locally mandated timeframe, or risk waiver. This procedural specificity demands a lawyer who regularly practices in that courthouse and knows its unwritten rules.
What unique challenges does a San Diego resident face when defending against a federal Qui Tam investigation while also dealing with state charges in San Diego County?
Federal agents from the FBI or HHS-OIG often work closely with the San Diego County District Attorney’s office on whistleblower cases involving fraud. If you face simultaneous state charges at 1100 Union Street and a federal investigation downtown, you risk inconsistent statements or discovery conflicts. A dual-competent attorney can coordinate your defense to prevent one case from incriminating you in the other, which is critical given San Diego’s overlapping enforcement networks.
Why Local Counsel Matters for Federal Cases in San Diego
The San Diego Superior Court — Central Division operates under its own local rules, its own judges, and its own assigned federal prosecutors. An attorney who regularly practices in this courthouse understands how specific judges handle suppression motions, what the assigned AUSA typically offers in plea negotiations, and what sentencing outcomes are realistic for cases from the San Diego area. Do not hire a general practitioner who will be learning the federal system at your expense — your freedom deserves experienced representation that knows this courthouse.
For full practice area coverage — white collar crime, drug crimes, RICO, money laundering, tax evasion, healthcare fraud, PPP fraud, and federal appeals: