Criminal Law in Transportation

Criminal legal counsel for trucking and logistics companies.

Cargo robbery, an accident with victims, diversion, a police summons. In transportation, criminal incidents come without warning, and the first few hours shape much of the outcome. We handle the defense of the company, its managers and the driver and also cases where the carrier is the victim of the crime.

Robbery, theft, diversion and misappropriation of cargo, with suspected fraud or third-party involvement.
Road accidents causing injury or death, from the police report to the criminal trial.
Police station support, inquiries, witness interviews, seizures and criminal proceedings.

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When do carriers usually turn to criminal defense counsel?

Cargo robbery, theft or diversion

The cargo was taken or never reached its destination, a police report has been filed, and the company needs to follow the investigation, which will also weigh on the insurance claim and on the conversation with the shipper.

Accident with victims

A fleet vehicle was involved in an accident causing injury or death, and the driver, the managers and the company itself become the subject of an investigation.

Summons, police inquiry or seizure

A summons to give a statement arrived, the vehicle or cargo was seized, or the company learned that an inquiry has been opened involving the operation.

Suspected inside fraud

The evidence points to a staged robbery, collusion with third parties, diversion of goods or tampered documents, and the company needs to investigate without compromising the evidence.

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Why this work calls for specialists

What makes criminal defense in transportation different

Evidence is lost quickly

Tracking, camera footage, telematics and messages are kept only for a short time. What isn't preserved in the first few days rarely makes it back into the case.

The company can be both victim and target in the same case

In a cargo robbery, the carrier takes the loss, but the investigation also examines the route, the escort, risk management and who knew about the trip. The company's stance in the inquiry has to account for both sides.

Liability doesn't stop with the driver

In an accident with victims, the investigation usually looks at hours driven, vehicle maintenance, hiring and operational failures. Managers and technical staff may be called to answer for it.

One event opens several fronts

The same event turns into a police inquiry, an insurance claim, a demand from the shipper and an employment dispute. What is said at the police station carries over to all of them.

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Our criminal practice for trucking and logistics companies

The fronts that cover criminal incidents in transportation, from prevention to defense at trial.

Cargo robbery, theft and diversion

We follow the inquiry from the police report onward, organize the trip records as evidence and work to clarify the facts, protect the company and support its position with the insurer and the shipper.

Road accidents with victims

Defense in vehicular manslaughter and negligent bodily injury cases, with technical analysis of how the accident happened, of expert reports and forensic findings, and attention to the position of the driver and managers.

Police station support and witness interviews

A lawyer attends the statements of drivers, managers and staff, with prior guidance on their rights and on what the statement may mean for the company.

Police inquiries and criminal proceedings

We act at every stage of the criminal case: police inquiry, indictment, response to the charges, hearings, appeals and, where available, non-prosecution agreements and other negotiated outcomes.

Return of seized vehicles and cargo

Requests for the return of trucks, trailers, equipment and goods held in an investigation, to cut the time the fleet sits idle and the loss to the operation.

Internal investigations

Investigation of suspected staged robberies, collusion with criminal gangs, diversion of goods and document fraud, using a method that preserves the evidence and respects the rights of those involved.

Illicit cargo and irregular goods

Defense when inspectors find drugs, contraband or undocumented goods in the vehicle, where the driver and the company must show they did not know what was being carried.

Environmental crimes in transportation

Criminal defense in spills, contamination and accidents involving hazardous or controlled products, coordinated with the administrative defense against the fines.

Criminal compliance and prevention

Review of risk management protocols, the hiring of drivers and third parties, record keeping and incident response, so the company is prepared before anything happens.

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Who will handle your business

Specialist Legal Counsel

Stephan Doering Darcie

Founding Partner and Managing Partner | Brazilian Bar OAB/RS 80,092

Stephan Doering Darcie heads the criminal practice at Doering & Darcie and leads the defense strategy in cases involving transportation operations, from the inquiry to trial.

He holds a doctorate in criminal law from the University of São Paulo, a master's in criminal sciences from PUCRS and a specialization in European economic criminal law from the University of Coimbra, and is the author of works, publications and translations in criminal law and criminal procedure.

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Eduarda Schierholt

Criminal Law | Brazilian Bar OAB/RS 133,524

Eduarda Schierholt practices criminal law at Doering & Darcie, representing drivers, managers and companies at police stations, in inquiries and at hearings.

She is completing a graduate program in criminal law and criminology at PUCRS and also practices employment law, which lets her read the same event on both fronts, as is often the case in transportation.

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How the engagement works

First contact

You contact the firm by WhatsApp or email and describe the incident, whether it is a cargo robbery, an accident, a summons or an internal suspicion.

Immediate steps

Our team tells you what must be preserved and how to deal with the police, because tracking data, footage and trip records disappear fast.

Case analysis

The facts and documents are examined to set the position of the company, the managers and the driver, and to identify the other fronts the event has opened.

Scope and engagement letter

Strategy, scope, timelines and fees are clearly defined before work begins, with no surprises along the way.

Ongoing support

Hands-on work in the inquiry and the proceedings, with constant communication with the board and with the people who handle operations and the insurance claim at the carrier.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is criminal legal counsel for trucking companies?

It covers incidents, police inquiries and criminal proceedings tied to transportation operations: cargo robbery, theft and diversion, accidents with victims, suspected fraud, seizure of vehicles or goods, and the liability of drivers, managers or third parties. It also includes prevention, so the company knows how to act before anything happens.

When should a carrier contact a criminal lawyer?

Right after the incident, ideally before the first statement to the police. That includes cargo robbery or theft, an accident with victims, a police or court summons, seizure of a vehicle or goods, suspicion of a crime within the operation, or any situation that could create criminal liability for the company or its people.

Can the company be investigated over an accident with victims?

Criminal liability falls on individuals, but an accident investigation can reach beyond the driver. It usually examines the driving, the condition of the vehicle, maintenance, hours worked, the route and any operational failures, so managers and technical staff may be called to testify or to answer for the accident. Our work starts at the inquiry stage, preserving evidence and attending the interviews.

Does the driver need a lawyer to give a statement to the police?

It isn't mandatory, but it is advisable. The statement can be used in the inquiry, at trial and in the discussions with the insurer and the shipper. With prior guidance and a lawyer present, the driver knows their rights and the account of the facts is consistent with the trip records.

What documents help in the carrier's criminal defense?

Police report, CT-e and MDF-e transport documents, invoices, tracking and telematics reports, camera footage, messages, driving-hour records, contracts with the shipper and with third parties, expert reports, the insurance policy, the risk management plan and witness accounts. The sooner this material is gathered and preserved, the stronger the defense.

What should we do if we suspect an inside job in a cargo robbery?

Don't rush. Accusing or firing someone before the facts are established can compromise the investigation and create employment and civil liability. The right course is to preserve the records, run a methodical internal investigation and bring consistent evidence to the police, always respecting the rights of those involved.

Can a seized truck or cargo be recovered?

In many cases, yes. When the asset is no longer relevant to the investigation or belongs to a third party acting in good faith, a request for its return can be filed with the police or the court, with proof of ownership and lawful origin. A well-documented request shortens the time the vehicle is off the road.

Does the firm serve carriers outside Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo?

Yes. Document review and case follow-up can be handled remotely, and our court practice reaches other states. For in-person meetings, Doering Darcie Advocacia e Consultoria has offices in Porto Alegre and São Paulo, by prior appointment.