Where there is a right,
there is a remedy.
Criminal defence in Bucharest and throughout Romania. Legal advice and representation in English and Romanian, from the first hearing through trial and appeal, including proceedings before DNA, DIICOT and EPPO where applicable.
Signal / SimpleX available on request.
Rareș Rotaru
I am a fully licensed attorney with the Bucharest Bar, holding a law degree and a master's in "Forensics and Judicial Psychology in Criminal Investigation." I practise primarily in criminal law, specializing in corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, professional and computer-related offenses, embezzlement and organized crime — providing assistance and representation before all judicial authorities.
Alongside my practice, I maintain an active academic profile: I have published several specialist articles, including papers presented at international conferences, and am co-author of the volumes Financial and Banking Criminal Offenses and Romanian Law, 30 Years After the Collapse of Communism (Hamangiu Publishing), with several projects underway.
Outcomes obtained in clients’ cases.
- PublishedTax law · ANAFRON 5.3 million
Enforcement of the ANAF assessment suspended
Court-ordered suspension of enforcementTemporary protection for the taxpayer’s assets, through a court-ordered suspension of enforcement within the terms of the judgment.
Read the analysis ↗ - PublishedTax law · ANAFRON 4.15 million
Tax liabilities annulled
Administrative challenge partially upheldThe tax challenge removed approximately 77% of the original ANAF assessment. A court challenge to the remaining amount is planned on other grounds.
Read the analysis ↗ - PublishedIași Court of Appeal · Criminal appealRetrial ordered
Criminal judgment set aside in full
Appeal allowed · Trial to restartMissing reasons and unclear charges led to a retrial from the beginning. The Court required the charges against each defendant to be clearly established.
Read the analysis ↗
Comprehensive legal services in criminal matters — and beyond.
I provide comprehensive legal services in criminal matters, specializing in corruption, tax evasion, money laundering, cybercrime, professional misconduct offenses, fraud against creditors, embezzlement and organized crime.
Beyond defense: advisory work translated into a personalized action plan for each client, aimed at preventing criminal exposure in their activity.
Criminal law — my core practice area.
Defense and representation in all phases of criminal proceedings — investigation, including before the DNA, DIICOT and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), preliminary chamber, trial, appeal and extraordinary remedies. Complemented by related areas: civil litigation, commercial law and administrative law.
Corruption
Defense in cases handled including by the DNA — bribe-taking and bribe-giving, influence peddling — with scrutiny of every piece of evidence and every investigative act.
Tax evasion
Analysis of accounting records and expert reports, correct legal classification and the line between error and intent.
Money laundering
A defense built on the financial trail and the link to the predicate offense.
Cybercrime
Illegal access, computer fraud, disruption of information systems — defense on both the technical and procedural fronts.
Offenses in office
Abuse of office, embezzlement, disclosure of non-public information — cases with high professional and reputational stakes.
Embezzlement
Art. 295 Criminal Code — defense on the element of misappropriation, challenging the alleged damage and the precautionary measures.
Fraud against creditors
Breach of trust through fraud against creditors — complex situations involving commercial relations and financial obligations.
Organized crime
Assistance in cases handled by the DIICOT, throughout the investigation and trial.
Traffic offences
Drink driving, refusal of testing, driving without a licence, leaving the scene. Art. 334 to 341 of the Criminal Code, with penalties tightened in 2023 and 2024.
EU funds and EPPO
Defence in cases concerning EU funds, including offences under Articles 18¹ and following of Law no. 78/2000, before the competent authorities and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, where its jurisdiction applies.
Don't see your situation listed?
Every case has its own particulars. Tell me briefly what happened and I'll tell you whether and how I can help.
Let's talk →Related practice areas: civil, commercial and administrative law
Civil litigation
Property disputes, tort liability, recovery claims — including actions arising from judicial errors.
Commercial law
Disputes between businesses, contract enforcement and liability, debt recovery and corporate advisory.
Administrative law
Administrative litigation — annulment of unlawful acts, damages from authorities — plus minor-offense proceedings and dealings with public institutions.
Legal issues, explained.
Practical insights into Romanian law and the cases handled by the practice.
Which offences have no limitation period in Romania, and since when?
Which offences have no limitation period in Romania? Key dates, murder, rape, trafficking, procuring and the more lenient law for earlier acts.
Read the analysis ↗Withdrawing a criminal complaint and mediation: when does the case end?
When does withdrawing a complaint end a Romanian criminal case? Prosecutor endorsement, mediation, reconciliation and the relevant deadlines explained.
Read the analysis ↗Enforcement of an ANAF assessment exceeding RON 5.3 million suspended
A Court of Appeal suspended enforcement of a RON 5,381,267 ANAF assessment. The temporary protection and later partial annulment are explained.
Read the analysis ↗You financed your company. Can you explain the source of your funds?
Why recording a shareholder loan does not establish the origin of the shareholder’s money, and what an ANAF personal tax examination can involve.
Read the analysis ↗How the defense is built.
Initial assessment
What happened, what stage the case is at, and what procedural acts already exist.
Evidence & risk assessment
What is in the file, where the weak points are, and which scenarios are realistic.
Legal strategy
A coherent defense, tailored to the procedural stage and the specifics of the case.
Representation
Assistance and representation before investigative bodies and courts, at every level of jurisdiction.
How I work.
Candor
The opinion you receive is always an honest one, based on all the circumstances — not what you would like to hear.
Discretion
I know how sensitive this field is, which is why I take every measure to keep my clients' matters confidential.
Responsiveness
I use the latest technology so that response times to your requests are as short as possible.
Transparency
Any change in your legal situation is communicated to you without delay.
Before you call.
Do not give any statement before speaking with a lawyer — whether you are summoned as a witness, suspect or defendant. You have the right to be assisted by chosen counsel at any stage. The first statements weigh decisively in the case.
As early as possible — ideally before the first questioning or as soon as you learn you are the subject of a criminal procedure. Early involvement allows the defense strategy to be built correctly, before positions in the case become fixed.
Transparently, upon signing the legal services agreement — based on the complexity of the case, urgency and estimated workload. You receive an honest cost assessment from the outset.
Yes. Although the office is based in Bucharest, I provide assistance and representation before courts and prosecutor's offices throughout the country.
Yes. WhatsApp is available directly, while Signal and SimpleX can be used on request for confidential communication. The choice of channel is yours — the discretion remains the same.
Absolutely. Everything you tell me is protected by attorney-client privilege, and the office additionally uses technical communication-security measures.
Where a right has been infringed, there is a remedy. It is the principle behind every legal action — and the promise that guides every case I take on: no wrong that can be remedied should go unanswered.
Tell me about your situation.
The first conversation is about understanding exactly where you stand. Call or write to me — and let's see what remedy exists.
For confidential communication, Signal and SimpleX are available on request.