It can be difficult to determine if you have committed a white collar crime. If you are concerned you have committed a white collar crime or have been accused of doing so, your first action should be to reach out to a Riverside white collar crime lawyer for a consultation. A white collar defense attorney can help you every step of the way, regardless of whether the action was intentional, concerned, or accidental.
A white collar crime lawyer is a criminal defense attorney who represents defendants facing accusations of committing or legal charges of one or multiple white collar crimes. The overarching phrase “white collar crimes” refers to an extensive category of criminal violations that are frequently federal crimes as well. They are typically nonviolent offenses that are committed for financial or economic acquisitions or general advancement. They often involve large quantities of money.
Some examples of white collar crimes in Riverside, CA, include identity theft/identity fraud, theft from one’s place of employment (embezzlement), falsifying tax reports, laundering money, bribery, extortion, forgery, and various types of fraud. A white-collar crime becomes a federal offense when it violates federal laws or crosses state lines.
An attorney who’s equipped to deal with white collar crime criminal defense will have a thorough understanding of the law. This creates familiarity with the most effective ways in which you can be defended in court. The attorney’s job is to defend their client, which may involve showing you were unintentionally or unknowingly guilty or wrongly accused. A white collar defense attorney will investigate all details, evidence, and perspectives concerning the circumstances of your arrest.
Your defense attorney in Riverside will view and analyze your specific situation. From this information, they can advise on the right course of action and potential defenses to take. Ultimately, the goal is to get the charges dropped or reduce the criminal penalties you face. Here are some possible defenses your lawyer may argue on your behalf in court:
This implies they were without a sound state of mind or the ability to accurately judge or recognize their actions; a non-guilty verdict following this may result in the defendant being sent to a psychiatric facility for treatment.
Yes, these types of crimes are taken very seriously by various legal institutions and are usually prosecuted harshly. White collar crimes often involve large sums of money and high-profile officials- such as leaders, regulators, directors, and supervisors- across a variety of businesses and industries. Even though these illegal offenses are not commonly violent, they are still legally enforceable and can carry severe criminal penalties.
Cases of white collar crime can be particularly complex and time-consuming, often extending years or decades, due to the frequently covert and careful methods used to conceal the unlawful activity. It may take long spans of time for the subtle patterns and signs of present white collar crimes to be noticed, recognized, and properly investigated.
These criminal offenses are also taken seriously due to their inherent intention to undermine and destabilize established institutions and systems. If found to be guilty, offenders can face very significant penalties like heavy fines and extended time in jail or prison.
Most white collar crimes have an element of theft or fraud, and punishments for these crimes tend to reflect the severity and amount of money illegally stolen or acquired. Most white collar crimes are called “wobblers” because they can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the circumstances of the case and the prior record of the defendant.
Depending on the amount of seized goods, a crime may be deemed a misdemeanor, and the accompanying penalty will be time in county jail. If charged as a felony, a conviction would result in serving a felony sentence at a state prison. White collar felonies also usually require paying costly fines and/or restitution.
Those crimes that also break federal law are the most severely punishable of white collar crimes. Additionally, penalties will usually be harsher for offenders with multiple or subsequent felony charges or if their crimes involve more than $100,000.
If you require a criminal defense lawyer, get in touch with us at Brown & Stedman LLP today. One of our attorneys will review your options with you and argue on your behalf– giving you the chance of attaining your desired outcome and keeping your rights protected.
We invite you to call us at 949-459-5900 to schedule your free initial consultation. You can also reach our firm by contacting us online.
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