A white collar crime is a financially motivated, non-violent crime committed mainly by a business or public office individual. When facing non-violent criminal charges, you may want to work with the best white collar crime lawyer near you to safeguard your reputation and standard of living. Depending on the nature of the crime, the prosecution may come from the state or federal government .
A conviction for white-collar crimes often results in jail time, home detention, fines, community confinement, forfeitures, supervised release, imprisonment, and/or restitution to the victim. A white collar attorney can help you if you have been accused or if you are attempting to recover money or assets lost through fraud.
A white collar crime lawyer is an attorney who specializes in helping citizens accused of white collar crimes navigate their criminal liability cases.
An experienced white collar attorney helps defend the rights of persons accused of such crimes. Though the facts of cases vary, an effective attorney, engaged in the early stages of the matter, may be able to assess the facts, advise on the best course of action, and help to resolve the issue without going to trial.
Hire a lawyer for white collar crime near you as soon as you learn that you are being investigated for financial fraud or when you are served with a search warrant. Forms of white collar offenses include:
If you are a victim of a white collar criminal, you may find a legal professional to help you recover what was lost. An attorney will work with you to gather appropriate evidence, initiate a civil lawsuit, and take preliminary steps to protect stolen assets. Reliefs that an attorney may help you seek include compensation, forfeiture, or disgorgement.
Before hiring an attorney, do your research and work toward finding someone with the following attributes:
Criminal defense white collar crime lawyers near you are likely to charge between $200 and $750 per hour. Fees may add up from $2,000 to $15,000, depending on the attorney’s level of experience and the complexity of your case.
A white collar attorney may or may not charge for an initial consultation. Clarify with the attorney about potential charges when you call to book the meeting. During an initial consultation, the attorney listens to the facts of the case, and you can gauge his or her suitability.
For this meeting, bring any relevant documentation or evidence that may help give the attorney a clear picture of your circumstances and the legal issue you are facing. After the meeting, the attorney will provide you with preliminary legal advice and, if you decide to hire him or her, will develop a more detailed plan later. The attorney may bill you according to the agreed hourly rate for subsequent meetings.
The main difference between corporate crime and white collar crime is the motivation behind the crime. With a white collar crime, an individual commits fraud for personal gain. In a corporate crime, the individual commits fraud for the company’s benefit. Because of who stands to gain, charges against corporate crimes are brought against the company while white collar crime charges are brought against an individual.
White collar crimes are prosecuted at either the state or federal level. Because most of these crimes cross state lines, they are mainly charged at the federal level. Such crimes are also very complex. Unlike district courts, federal courts have the resources to carry out investigations and bring in expert witnesses to help them and the jury understand the complex issues of the case.
Prosecutors are usually very aggressive and aim to put the criminal in jail. The process usually starts with investigations into financial fraud or misconduct. Once the federal agencies think they have sufficient evidence to convict, they forward the matter to a prosecutor. A judge will issue an arrest warrant if convinced by the prosecutor that there is probable cause that a crime was committed. The prosecutor will also ensure that the suspect does not use proceeds from a financial crime to cover his or her bail.
If the suspect can post bail, he or she will be arraigned in court, and the judge will inform the suspect of the charges and ask for a plea of guilty or not guilty. With a not guilty plea, the hearing will begin.
A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment arrangement in which returns are paid out of funds collected by new investors instead of profits from business activity. Ponzi schemes fall apart when the operation cannot bring in new investors.